Hennepin Theatre Trust Hosts League of Historic American Theatres National Conference, Now thru 7/20

Hennepin Theatre Trust welcomes the 2013 League of Historic American Theatres' (LHAT) 37th Annual Conference, the largest gathering of historic theatre professionals in the country, to Minneapolis/St. Paul from today, July 16-20.

The prestigious keynote speaker on July 17 is Rip Rapson, Minneapolis native and President/CEO of the Kresge Foundation. Rapson and Kresge are important catalysts in the national Creative Placemaking movement, which is the conference theme. The Trust joins other local partners including Schuler Shook, the Fitzgerald Theater and Cowles Center/Artspace in hosting conference events. Highlights include a theatre "ramble" touring area venues, tools and techniques sessions and an awards ceremony.

Founded in 1976 by 43 charter members, LHAT has grown into a network of more than 300 historic venues. No other organization is solely dedicating to saving, restoring and sustaining America's historic theatres by sharing the necessary tools and knowledge through member interaction and collaborative projects. So the LHAT conference attracts people from across the nation, including some 300 theatre owner/operators from large and small, urban and rural communities as well as representatives of major Broadway houses. Professionals who specialize in renovating and servicing historic theatres, such as architects, engineers, artists and preservationists, also attend.

"We are honored to welcome LHAT to Minneapolis," commented Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust. "We are especially proud to share our experience with Creative Placemaking and planning the Hennepin Cultural District, because we know that the arts have the power to transform communities and historic theatres like ours are often at the center of the action."

Ken Stein, LHAT's Executive Director, said, "Historic theatres have the same opportunities and challenges of any arts organization, but operating a historic facility is complicated or sometimes enhanced by the nature of the building. LHAT is the one organization where theatre professionals can learn about and discuss these unique opportunities."

For the full conference schedule, visit www.lhat.org. One-day and full registrations are available.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Hennepin Avenue Cultural District in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.