URTA Announces Elections of New Board Members

The University/Resident Theatre Association (URTA) announced the three candidates who had won election to the URTA board of directors, the governing body of URTA. Greg Leaming, accomplished director, director of the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory of Actor Training, and associate artistic director of the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, and Robert Ramirez, professional actor and voice artist, and a member of the theatre faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, were each elected to a three-year term on the board.

Alexander Gellman, director of the School of Theatre and Dance at Northern Illinois University, and the producing artistic director of the Organic Theatre Company, won election as URTA's new treasurer, serving a two-year term (class of 2015). Gelman previously served as a director on the URTA board.

URTA is the nation's oldest and largest consortium of professional, graduate (MFA) theatre training programs, and related professional theatre companies. The association consists of forty influential schools in training (39 in the United States and 1 in the United Kingdom), and fifteen partnered theatre companies -- most of which operate on either LORT or URTA contracts. URTA advances theatre by connecting educational theatre programs with professional theatre and performing arts industries, promoting professional practices and artistic excellence in higher education, and assisting students with their transition into the profession. URTA provides a variety of services and informational programs to its members, and to non-member students, theatre professionals and producing companies. URTA services include the National Unified Auditions/ Interviews, better known as "the URTAs" and the most effective annual process contributing to the building of graduate classes in theatre disciplines at member schools. The URTA Contract Management Program (CMP) is the largest not-for-profit contract management service of its kind in the country, which makes it possible for many different kinds of organizations to employ professional actors, stage managers, designers, and directors. In addition, URTA maintains agreements with many theatrical unions that provide contracts for use by colleges, universities, and other institutions.

The URTA board of directors consists of six directors and four officers elected from member schools. Elections are conducted each January. The board of directors have responsibility for the governance of the association, and as a group of practicing artists and experts in the areas of theatre training, have considerable influence in guiding URTA's ongoing services and new programs. At the same time, the board regularly seeks input from member schools' executives and faculty at two annual membership meetings and through other correspondence throughout the year.

Scott Steele, URTA's executive director, reported that the vote was unanimous for the nominated slate. "This unanimity really indicates the depth of support for Greg, Robert, and Alex. URTA members expect, and appreciate, the considerable investment of time, effort and care made by colleagues serving on the board," said Steele. He also noted the association's special appreciation of the schools that enabled service on the board by providing directors and officers the time and funds necessary to attend meetings and conduct the business of URTA. "These schools are very generous, and the board really could not function without their help," Steele said. Thanks are due Florida State University, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Northern Illinois University.

Leaming and Ramirez assume responsibilities immediately, and Gelman's financial duties start with the new fiscal year in July.