UNL's Steger selected for national theatre conference

Paul Steger, director of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been invited to join the prestigious National Theatre Conference.

Founded in 1925, the NTC is a cooperative association of distinguished leaders of the American theatre -- university, community and professional. Membership to the conference is by invitation only and is limited to 120 members.

"I am profoundly humbled and deeply honored to have been voted into the National Theatre Conference," Steger said. "The list of members, a virtual 'who's who' of the professional and academic theatre, are committed to celebrating theatre organizations and individuals who have had a tremendous impact on the professional and academic theatre arenas. Being a part of this organization brings the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and our programs and initiatives into a national spotlight and dialogue. These relationships will help to firmly establish the School's national reputation and provide opportunities for future collaborations with the profession."

Tice Miller, UNL professor emeritus of theatre, is also a member. He joined in 2002.

Current Vice President of NTC Dan Carter, who is Director of the School of Theatre at The Pennsylvania State University and a member of NTC since 1996, said Steger is a welcome addition to the organization.

"I find Paul bright and engaging and capable of keen insights," Carter said. "He is perceived to be 'a rising star' in the field, and we all feel his contributions to our fellowship will be substantial."

The conference operates as a theatrical "think tank" and meets annually to review and confer on matters pertaining to the welfare and development of the theater and to honor outstanding achievement of organizations and individuals in the field.

Steger became the Director of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film and Executive Director of the Nebraska Repertory Theatre in July 2005. He is an actor, director and fight director.

Steger has taught at a number of theatre training programs, including the National Theatre Conservatory, Webster University's Conservatory, North Carolina School of the Arts, Florida State University and the Asolo Conservatory. He is a fight director with credits on Broadway and in numerous regional theatres. He is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and holds advanced certificates from the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat and Fight Directors Canada. He has taught and performed internationally in London, Sweden, Denmark and Norway and helped form the Nordic Stagefight Society. His film credits include "Power Rangers," "Magnolia" and "Outside." His television credits include "Family Law," "The Practice," "Party of Five" and "Ally McBeal."

Steger has directed more than 50 productions for the educational and professional theatre including the Blue Sphere Alliance, Tiffany Theatre-West Hollywood, River Stage, Nebraska Theatre Caravan, Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Southeast and the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. His collaborations with a variety of video and performance artists have played such venues as Franklin Furnace (New York), Randolph Street Gallery, Club Lower Links, The Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago), The Contemporary Museum of Art (Glasgow), and the Ljubljana Festival (Slovenia).

He received his MFA in directing from Western Illinois University and his BA in theatre from St. Louis University.

This year's meeting of the NTC will be Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in New York City at the Players and Actors Equity.