Re: RAT looking back, short telescope

[Cat Hebert <virtualdrama@juno.com>]

Some thoughts on future conference planning

Decide which of these two developmental models is best for each city:
1. RAT-list attendees develop themes, etc. and plan workshops from those
who are going to be present. Host city hosts/participates. Can be done
very rapidly. Makes it RAT-tensive. Doesn't focus so much on in-city.
Requires decision mechanism clearly defined in advance, decision
timeline. Requires venue and sleeping arrangements.
2. Host city develops conference, RAT-list adds elements. Requires clear
development goals, timeline, who decides what and how. Anarchy / lack of
decision apparatus breeds divisiveness.

Mixing the two models muddies preparation. Clarity. Clarity. Clarity.
Clarity opens the doors.

To maximize the number of small theaters participating from the host
city:
- Co-ordinate on conference timing, conflicts in timing, political
environment. Saves gnashings of teeths
- Don't plan conference when other major events affecting theater folks
are on (TCG, Mardi Gras, moose season, monsoon week)
- Get to them early. Give them specifics. Show how they participate in
planning. Provide a clear timeline. Tell them about RAT. Convince them it
isn't going to be a waste of their time. Make "they" "us".
- Include some *very* practical sessions -- maybe an "idea mall". (The
bagel time was intended to do that at PhilaRAT. Never happened.)
- Put as much of the conference on Saturday and Sunday as possible.
Out-of-town RATs can take the redeye.

Set up a mix of discussion and performance in a fun, communal
environment.
- Not all theater people are word-heads. Lots of different sensory modes
lead to Elysium. Too much head candy constipates the soul. Performance is
the key. That's what we do.
- Performance should be developed in te context of the conference. (Maybe
plan something before, but develop as part of the conference, involving
as many people as possible. The ritual theater performances at PhilaRAT
were pretty powerful. The air changed color; people's skin changed color;
the room sang with change.)
(So.... I agree with both Susan and Gaby.)
- Eat together, communally, as much as possible, with *everyone* invited.
- Provide some formal mechanism for 1 on 1 collaboration between in-town
/ out-of-town rats. Everyone has something to share. The little girl with
the lisp might be the next Grotowski.
- Build in some out-and-out play session(s)--esp physical. Words can wear
you down. The mouth is too 
dangerously close to the midbrain to be used too often.

Open the conference to the RAT world
- Once topics are decided, request questions/comments from the List.
present them at the sessions
- Where possible, stream video from sessions, or have someone typing live
for the web. Take questions from the world.

Produce Something
- Come up with a product. Manifesto, performance, edible costumes. rats
should cry out!


Cheers,
Cat Hebert
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