From Dec 7-9, Roundabout Theatre Company, with support from The National Endowment for the Arts will host Opening Stage Doors, the first-of-its-kind virtual convening to share tools and innovations in job training, mentorship, and job placement, with the goal of helping remove traditional barriers to off-stage performing-arts jobs. The three-day convening will be held virtually from 12:00 to 6:00 PM EST each day. Registration to the event is free and open to interested arts professionals including workforce administrators; organizational leadership; educational partners; union and non-union technicians; workforce funders; and past, present or future program participants. Advance sign-up is required here: https://hopin.com/events/opening-stage-doors. Participants will hear from experts and one another about how to introduce young people to administrative and technical backstage professions, effectively manage or reimagine programs for new and more seasoned arts workers, and ensure historically marginalized members of our community (including people of color, veterans, and people with disabilities) are part of a scaffolded and supportive training process that leads to employment. Keynote speakers and daily sessions will focus on both practical actions needed immediately to provide safe and educational work experiences and deeply rooted systemic issues within the field that need to be addressed to create long-term change. Session topics include: Understanding Compensation and Benefits, Effective Mentorship Models, and Navigating the Politics of a Nonprofit. The Planning Committee for this event includes Shaminda Amarakoon, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale; Jennifer DiBella, Roundabout Theatre Company; Alejandra Duque Cifuentes, Dance/NYC; Jennifer Halpern, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees; Amy Harris, Roundabout Theatre; Sharifa Johka, Blk Realities; Olivia Jones, Consultant; Mitch Mattson, Roundabout Theatre Company; Talleri McRae, National Disability Theatre; Leslie Recinos, Roundabout Theatre; Alexander Santiago-Jirau, New York Theatre Workshop; Camille Schenkkan, Center Theatre Group; Willa Taylor, Goodman Theatre; Nikki Toombs, Aurora Theatre; Patricia White, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Press contact: Polk & Co (917/261-3988)...