McCarter Theatre Welcomes Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser, 3/17

McCarter Theatre Center, along with New Jersey State Council on the Arts, ArtPride New Jersey, Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University, The Arts Council of Princeton and New Jersey Theatre Alliance, will host a discussion with Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser on Wednesday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. A meet and greet will take place in the lobby beginning 9:00 a.m. To attend this event, which is free and open to the public, please register by calling the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office at (609) 258-2787.

As part of the Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative, Mr. Kaiser is touring each of the 50 states to facilitate conversation and share ideas on how arts groups are responding to the current economic recession. The event will include an interview of Mr. Kaiser led by Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director of McCarter, followed by a Q and A. Mr. Kaiser will address the challenges facing nonprofit performing arts organizations today through such areas as fundraising, building more effective Boards of Trustees, budgeting, and marketing.

"Each locality is dealing with its own unique and specific challenges, and there is no better way to understand each region than through in-person visits," said Kaiser. "Communicating in person allows us to be more effective in advising organizations in need."

Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative is a response to the emergency facing arts organizations throughout the United States. The program, open to non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts organizations, provides free and confidential planning assistance in areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization during a troubled economy. The program is currently working with more than 415 organizations in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Over 100 experienced arts leaders from across the country are volunteering their time to serve as mentors to organizations in need.

Michael Kaiser is well-known in the arts world as the "turnaround king" for retooling organizations like London's Royal Opera House, American Ballet Theatre and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Foundation. During his time as the head of each, he erased accumulated deficits, expanded programs and increased revenues.

McCarter Theatre Center is located at 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540. For directions and parking information, please visit www.mccarter.org.