Test >> hello, hello. Hello and welcome back. Thank you for being here at 9:00 a.m., those of you who are. I am devon bi rkshire. On behalf of the whole conference team, I want to thank you all for being here with us in d.c. This is a special conference, and not because this is my hometown, although, I do love my hometown of d.c., represent, what is up? It is also a special conference because it is my first in this new role as director addressing all of you in this what used to be this patented wakes them up with jokes speaking lab. [LAUGHTER] Very exciting, but it is also bittersweet, and that is because the person who used that this role left in the midst of the planning conference for the position in this new world. I know any of you know what a big impact they have had on TCG and the national conference and their field. [APPLAUSE] We know that impact continues at Bloomberg philanthropies, but we still miss her terribly. She also had a big impact on me personally and where did you go? Hi. It feels a little surreal to stand on the stage and see you out there in the house like some regular attendee. [LAUGHTER] You will always be more than that here. The conference is different because of you, and we are different because of you, so we are modeling our movement and leading the charge and dancing are conference dances because of you, so please, stand so we can all thank her together. [APPLAUSE] [Cheering] DEVON: stand! [APPLAUSE] DEVON: thank you. Now, there is a joke that I named my son Di ego because he was born the year of the conference in San Diego, and I want to make clear that my daughter will not be named Washington or D .C., even though it is catchy. I hope that does not disappoint anyone. I am glad to be here, even though I cannot chase after the conference crises at my usual speed. I'm grateful because when I hear about all the brave and amazing things you all a creating and what I get to watch what happened last night, it gives me hope. You give me hope that Diego and his sister will grow up in a better world and that every kid, even if they are not named after the conference city, can grow up in the world that meets their love with love. To kick off our morning plenary and to help celebrate the recipient of that Alan Schneider Director award, please join me in welcoming Charlie , another past recipient of the award, as well as another D.C. local and current assistant director of the court theater to the stage. [APPLAUSE] Charlie: Good morning. The Alan Schneider Director award was created in 1984 by TCG to celebrate alan's unique contributions. A leading director of the works of Samuel Beckett, he directed the world American premieres of who is afraid of Virginia Woolf and many others. He is also a lifelong advocate for many new work, many of which we consider classics of the American theater canon. The award was also established in recognition of his lifelong concern of the development of career opportunities for young artists, most especially freelance directors. As one of the sweet 16 previously honored with this award in 1992, I was most grateful that TCG asked me to make introduction, doubly so because I was privileged to bask in the fiery cauldron of alan's process while serving as an assistant director by the acting company produced by Margot Harley. Tragically, this was one of Alan's final projects, as he was killed by motorcycle while looking the wrong way in a London crosswalk in 1984. No doubt, he was possibly speaking with passionate abandon about whatever play he was working on and it is this quality of the man that I hope, I wish and I want to share with you. The Alan Schneider award honors passion and intensity for the namesake, which found expression to his teaching and advocacy of the art form, having served as many things, as well as president of the theater group. The Alan Schneider -- I am so excited to do this -- what a thrill to introduce this year's recipient of the Alan Schneider Director award Kimberly Senior. I believe she beautifully exemplifies the defining qualities of this award. Rather than simply recite for you Kimberly's impressive resume, you can find it at Kimberlysenior.net. That is the first time I have ever done that. I thought it best to highlight a few personal traits of this fixed ordinary artist. Here is a quote from the Pulitzer prize winner playwrights -- Kimberly often speaks of the genius of being "invisible" as a great aspiration, to serve the play. I admire this greatly and feel she lives up to her aspiration. This quote could be pulled directly from no author better served. The correspondence of said no Beckett and Alan Schneider, the singular chronicle of our director might rest serve the needs and intentions of a playwright. In advocacy at the recent on equity ceremony in Chicago, Kimberly received a special jeff, unheard-of being honored by artists and Kimberly's most important and lasting legacy in Chicago is the way she has tirelessly championed and fought for many careers other than her own. She smashes glass ceilings, bashes Doris Downs and then makes sure those doors remain open for others to follow. Finally, a quote from one of Chicago's leading actresses Kate Fry "Kimberly achieves a rare balance. She relentlessly explores some of the darkest qualities of human nature, while at the same time and just doing a great compassion for people." Having known Kimberly for 20 plus years, I first encountered her aggressive empathy in court theaters artist and school programs. Her students were challenged the yonder self-imposed limitations and the absolutely loved her for it area and I am also astonished at her ability to maintain some a long-standing relationships with so many different Chicago organizations. She is more than just a hell of the freelancer. Her energy is down this and creativity electric very just sick with her for a moment then you will feel what -- electric. Just sit with her for a moment and you'll feel what I mean. It is my honor to pull out this award and there is a cash, no strings attached, cash award that comes with this wonderful award to read please join me in celebrating this year's recipient of the Alan Schneider Director award committee senior. -- Kimberly Senior. [APPLAUSE] We will stand here for the video. There you are. Kimberly: Hi, good morning. Thank you for waking up or trying. Thank you, Charlie , for that bubbly introduction. First and foremost, I would like to thank TCG for supporting such an award. Setting out as a freelance director is not a career path where award winning a something to expect. The fact that this exist is so meaningful and TCG has been such a big part of my past, searching for jobs and to looking forward to my American theater magazine to arrive. What is the play going to be this month? To the myriad of supporting programs connecting theater artist available. Look around. This is amazing we are even here. It has been a kind of, this is your life in the theater for some any of us, and it is exciting to see is connected. I want to thank Alan Schneider awards panel, Curt Columbus, Robin and Laura, a panel of my peers were each just dynamic luminaries and tremendous sources of inspiration. And Michael and Ed, the best art partners woman could ask for. I would also like to thank the artistic leaders who encouraged me to risk often and dream big, in particular Robert Falls, who nominated me for the award and inspires me with this effortless leadership in bighearted passions and Arthur, the first person to challenge me to be more -- and Martha, the first person to challenge me to be more, do more and remains my champion. And I went to congratulate Mike fellow finalists. I look forward to stand here with my fellow artists who are looking forward to exploring and becoming better listeners. In the New York Times obituary balance Schnider, it said Mr. Snyder to find his area of the article concern as unexplored territory. I ,too, have a next -- have unexplored territory concern. It explains how we are going to express the concern for the deeply fractured world we live in, not only in work that the conversations. In working on "disgrace" all over the country, I got to do seven productions and I was saying this morning how often do we get to live at the plate for five years in our work and what the gifted has been for me. This unexplored territory has become more clear and become a responsibility. The Paris attacks happened on the day of our opening night at Berkeley. Donors and trustees approached me wondering how I would address the attacks and they were looking to me to shed light to expose, to provoke and comfort. This responsibility suddenly clarified for me. I addressed the attacks in my remarks about the continued relevance of the play, the imperative to remain vigilance, talk to each other. After the final battle, we brought up the house lights and the actors bowed their heads for a moment of silence on the audience followed. In that moment, I bowed to pursue this work. Orlando, Syria, Madrid, Charlie Hebdo, Boston Marathon, Nigerian schoolgirls, San Bernardino, Sandy Hook Elementary School Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Gagne, all of this has happened in the five years I have been making this play and this is by no means a complete list. The signs begin to emerge from the map of unexplored territory. We need to make work that demands conversation, that expresses opposing points of view, work that challenges the artist and audience, work that exposes the economies within us. -- the dichotomies within us. That is where all of our stories lie, discovering that space and beginning the conversation there from a place of not knowing rather than our expertise. It is time for us to embrace of similarities and then dive into the past abyss that divides us and see what seeds we can plant there. I now know that mentorship and advocacy are as important as I work us. It is our work area we can and we must build a better world. I would like to thank my children, Noah and Delaney, they inspire me to do better, tomorrow more perry let's seize this moment now so that our children can be asking different questions. Being here in D.C. is reverberating throughout the conference and the time is now and this is our moment to do our job. All voices must be heard, even if we have to sit-in or stand up. We are hungry, we have open ears and hearts and we are concerned about this unexplored territory. Thank you. [APPLAUSE] DEVON: thank you, Kimberly and Charlie. It is now my pleasure to welcome our next speaker, John Maeda, he is encouraging a new design across technology industries. Named as one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century by "Esquire," he draws on his diverse background has been a mighty engineer, award-winning designer, and organization executive, riding celebrated books such as "the laws of simplicity: Creative code," and "redesigning leadership," the latter of which you will be signing after this. His TED talks have received Williams of views, so welcome with me in joining John Maeda to the stage. [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [NO AUDIO]