Keynote Speakers
Authors
Panelists / Facilitators
Forum Staff & Personnel

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Forum keynote speakers included:

• Phyllis Frelich, award-winning actress;
• John D. Kemp, President and CEO of Very Special Arts;
• Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts;
• Ronald L. Mace, architectural consultant for the renovation of the Kennedy Center Concert Hall; and
• William J. Ivey, former Director of the Country Music Foundation and newly-confirmed chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

AUTHORS

• Jacqueline Ann Clipsham, "Obstacles and Opportunities: Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities"
• Dr. Carol J. Gill, "Developmental Obstacles to Careers in the Arts for Young Persons With Disabilties"
• Deborah B. Lewis, "The Professional Artist: Grants and Fellowships"
• Ronald L. Mace, "Arts Access"
• Arthur Pepine, "Disability and Training in the Arts"
• Will Rhys, "The National Theatre of the Deaf Professional Theatre School for Deaf Theatre Personnel"
• Anne Stocking, "Training Models: An Introduction"

PANELISTS / FACILITATORS

Panel participants and facilitators of breakout sessions included:

• Tamara Bibb Allen, Director, Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Jeremy Alliger, Co-artistic Director, Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels
• Arthur Bartow, Artistic Director, Tisch School of the Arts
• Robert Cogswell, Director, Folk Arts Program, Tennessee Arts Commission
• Willy Conley, award-winning playwright
• Gordon Davidson, Artistic Director, Mark Taper Forum
• Dr. Susan M. Daniels, Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs, Social Security Administration
• Patrick W. Farley, Artist and Museum Access Coordinator, Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Melissa Franklin, Director, Pew Fellowships in the Arts
• Kenny Fries, author
• Sharon Jensen, Executive Director, Non-Traditional Casting Project
• Camille L. Jeter, Artistic Director, National Theatre of the Deaf
• Dr. Elias Katz, President, National Institute of Art and Disabilities
• Brian Kerrigan, Program Administrator, Policy, Training, and Analysis Service, Student Financial Aid Programs, United States Department of Education
• John Lancaster, Executive Director, President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
• Ann-Ellen Lesser, Executive Director, Millay Colony for the Arts
• Victoria Ann Lewis, Director, Other Voices, Mark Taper Forum
• Kitty Lunn, Director, Infinity Dance Theater
• Patricia Pasqual, Director, The Foundation Center/Washington
• Dianne Hauserman Pilgrim, Director, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution
• Dr. Olivia Raynor, Director, National Arts and Disability Center
• Peter Slatin, writer
• Jordon Thaler, Casting Director, The Joseph Papp Public Theatre
• James L. Tucker, Jr., Chief, Arts and Humanitites Section, Maryland State Department of Education
• Mary Verdi-Fletcher, Co-artistic Director, Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels
• Alexandria Wailes, student, University of the Arts

FORUM STAFF & PERSONNEL

Forum Planning Committee

• Tamara Bibb Allen, Director, Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Darrell M. Ayers, Senior Program Manager, Education Department, The John F. Kennedy Center
• Valerie Capers, pianist and composer
• Jacqueline Ann Clipsham, artist
• Joe Cordova, Director, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Rehabilitation Services Administration
• Anne Finger, writer
• Derek E. Gordon, Vice President for Education, The John F. Kennedy Center
• Paul Harrelson, Forum Coordinator
• Sharon Jensen, Executive Director, Non-Traditional Casting Project
• John D. Kemp, President and CEO, Very Special Arts
• Patricia Laird, Program Specialist, Administration on Developmental Disorders
• James LeBrecht, sound designer and editor
• Victoria Ann Lewis, Director, Other Voices, Mark Taper Forum
• Kitty Lunn, Director, Infinity Dance Theater
• Tim McCarty, President, Quest: arts for everyone
• Ruth Mondschein, consultant
• Emeka Nwokeji, Director, Program on Consumer Involvement, Massachusetts State Rehabilitation Commission
• Maggie Roffee, President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
• Dr. Deborah M. Sonnenstrahl, Professor Emeritus, Gallaudet University
• Beverlee Stafford, Director of Policy, Planning, & Development, United States Department of Education
• Laureen Summers, Program Associate, American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Paula Terry, Coordinator, Office for Accessibility, The National Endowment for the Arts
• Lisa Thorson, vocalist
• Barbara R. Trader, Vice President, Very Special Arts
• Pamela Walker, media artist

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

• James A. Johnson, Chairman
• Lawrence J. Wilker, President
• Derek E. Gordon, Vice President, Education
• Darrell M. Ayers, Senior Program Manager, Education
• ARTSEDGE Staff:
  • Lynne B. Clement, Director
  • C. Paul Heins, Data Assistant & Editor
  • Jennifer L. Scopaz, Summer 1998 Intern

Quest: arts for everyone

• Tim McCarty, President
• Paul Harrelson, Forum Coordinator
• Erin McCarty, Assistant
• Joseph Santini, Assistant
• Anne Finger, Forum Report Editor