Venice Little Theatre www.venicestage.com
CONTACT PERSON [NOT FOR
RELEASE] : Maureen Holland, 484-4033 x
221
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 11, 2008
VLT lands International Festival The world is coming to Venice. In 2010. The board of directors of the American Association of
Community Theatre has just announced the selection of Venice Little Theatre to
host its International Theatre Festival in June, 2010. Held in the United States only once every four years,
AACTFest International will bring approximately 400 visitors from around the
world to Venice for a week beginning June 22. Groups from more than ten
countries will be selected to perform shows in their native languages throughout
the week at VLT. "We're hoping to have
theatre troupes from at least four continents,'said Murray Chase, VLT
Executive/Artistic Director, "and maybe even five. This cultural exchange will
be one of the most exciting artistic events in VLT's history. Obviously,
we're
thrilled to be selected." VLT'S Managing
Director, Ginny Winsor traveled to San Diego CA with Venice City Manager, Martin
Black to meet with the AACT Board on February 8, 2008. More than a dozen theatre
companies from around the US indicated interest in hosting this prestigious
festival, but only two endured the application process and were invited to make
final presentations to the AACT board last week. "Marty was instrumental in our being named the
host", stated Winsor. "He did a masterful job on behalf of
the city." Past international festivals have been held in the US in
such cities as Des Moines, IA; Benton Harbor, MI; and Midland, TX. "We feel that Venice is the perfect location to hold the
2010 festival," stated Chase.
"It's a
quieter time of year for us. We’ll be able to get good room rates, the beaches
won't be as
crowded, and our area could use the summertime business." The festival will include shows, theatre workshops by
international presenters, and cultural exchanges. Visitors will also have plenty
of time to explore Venice and visit other area attractions. "We want to make
sure that they want to come back,@ said Chase. "They will
get a flavor of the entire area while they=re here." The theatre will work closely during the next 28 months
with AACT and IATA, the International Amateur Theatre Association, to select the
productions from around the world. In addition, VLT will be reaching out to the
local community to involve them in the planning process and to solicit personal
hosts and guides. The theatre is located at 140 West Tampa Avenue on the
island in Venice FOR ADDITONAL QUOTES Martin Black, City of Venice (941) 486-2626 ext. 24001 Ed Martin, Mayor, City of Venice Murray Chase, Venice Little Theatre (941) 484-4033 ext. 223 Ginny Winsor, Venice Little Theatre (941) 484-4033 ext. 271
140 West Tampa Avenue •
Venice FL 34285 • 941.488.1115 FAX: 484-9437