Bill Byrnes, right, led the 21st Century Task Force whose work recently concluded. He is shown at a retreat with USITT's Board of Directors led by Kerry McCarthy and Helen Blieberg of McCarthy Arts Consulting. The final MAC report and its Executive Summary are now available to all members.

Photo/Barbara E.R. Lucas

Carl Lefko
USITT President

After more than a year of planning, discussions, focus groups, and study, USITT has now received the final report from its experts at McCarthy Arts Consulting. Members and friends of USITT are urged to review the executive summary and full report of MAC's findings, along with the 21st Century report, which are available here.

In Houston on March 18, Kerry McCarthy and Helene Blieberg of MAC and USITT's 21st Century Task Force Director Bill Byrnes discussed key aspects of the preliminary report with the USITT Board of Directors.

During the Annual Conference, Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Blieberg met with several constituent groups including Commissioners, Section Chairs, and Contributing and Sustaining members. They attended the Opening Night reception and, of course, the Stage Expo opening. Following the Conference, they began to compile their final report.

In June, the 21st Century Task Force met in the USITT Syracuse office to review the final report with the MAC team and begin to discuss implementation strategies.

With the conclusion of the Task Force's charge, a Transition Team, led by Lea Asbell-Swanger, was formed to assess the report and make recommendations. Many exciting ideas and observations are included in the report, and the Transition Team's task is to bring recommendations to the USITT Board of Directors meeting in October.

I encourage you to examine the Executive Summary of the report because it outlines a strategic direction for change that positions USITT as the catalyst among the performing arts, design, and technology communities. Direct any questions or comments regarding the report to either Ms. Asbell-Swanger at ela1@psu.edu or 814-863-7101 or me at clefko@radford.edu or 540-831-5012.

Input from members is vital to discussions on the changes to reposition the Institute for the 21st Century. The bridge being constructed will ensure a vibrant dialogue among practitioners, educators, and students.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Blieberg of MAC and the 21st Century Task Force led by Mr. Byrnes for the outstanding work accomplished during the last two years. The blueprint they have provided in the final report will enable USITT to make strategic decisions based on sound research. I look forward to working with each of you as we begin to construct our bridge to the 21st Century and plan for our 50th birthday celebration.

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