If you know the difference between a proscenium and a thrust, know stage left from right and can quote Shakey (Shakespeare, that is) like some folks quote scripture, this may be the gig for you: The Professional Theatre Awards Council, the organization that produces the annual Kevin Kline Awards, is looking for judges to serve a three-year term. They’re offering 20 slots, with each judge attending 12 to 20 shows each season (PTAC, of course, will provide the tickets). Duties would commence in January 2009. Sound like fun? You can get more info at the Kevin Kline Awards website, kevinklineawards.org, or by contacting Maureen O’Brien at 314-531-7529 or Maureen@kevinklineawards.org. Just be sure to get your application in before October 19.
In other news, the Saint Louis Art Museum, in anticipation of the disruption during the museum’s expansion, will launch a voluntary retirement program in order to reduce its staff. The construction is expected to take two years, and will restrict access to certain areas of the museum and require a reduction in programming (which, of course, will reduce attendance, though the museum will stay open during the renovation). In an economy like this one, going into cocoon mode isn't the worst thing one could do. At least that was my conclusion, after scanning this recent item on the Detroit Institute of Arts ...