July 13-16, 2024
New York City College of Technology

ESTA welcomes the North American Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (NATEAC) as the newest addition to their community. The association is proud to be the new host of the quadrennial conference, the fifth iteration of which will take place July 2024 in New York.

The much-anticipated schedule for NATEAC is now live and ready for viewing!

The Advisory Team has curated an exceptional lineup of sessions, workshops, and panels designed to inform, inspire, and engage attendees from across the industry. Sessions fall into four key areas: Creating Inclusive Architecture, Building Advocacy, Supporting Communities, and Enhancing Communication. Be sure to check it out and start planning your NATEAC experience today!

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from sessions:

• Review case studies on implementation of malleable flooring and seating solutions.
• Examine how students and educators are served by the development of the Boston Arts Academy, which provides an academic and artistic home for students from Boston's diverse neighborhoods, 91% of whom identify as people of color.
• Application of the principles of Universal Design in performance venue design.
• Use examples from New York, Sydney, Boston, and DC to inspire creation of facilities where access is integral to design thinking, the results of which can be breathtaking.

NATEAC will also host a number of charrettes, or targeted working groups, that will focus on identifying issues and developing plans of action informed by written stories and on-site conversations with disabled patrons, technicians, designers, and performers.

VIEW SCHEDULE | REGISTER

NATEAC is a quadrennial opportunity to discuss growing trends and shifts in the thoughtful building of our art spaces.

It is a time to reflect on the latest advancements in design, which allow us to rehabilitate old spaces or build something that no one could previously build. NATEAC is a time to gather and explore a craft that is both art and science.

Access. We fell in love with this concept because it is as multi-faceted as our community. Access can be construed in both technical and human ways. While it certainly encompasses ADA solutions and rope, it can also include DEI, choice of clients, information in the AI age, gender-neutral restrooms, decarbonization techniques, and more.

Schedule
July 11 - July 13: ESTA Meetings
July 13: NYC Harbor Cruise / NATEAC Kick-Off Party
July 14 - July 15: Conference Sessions
July 14: Charity Dinner for Behind the Scenes
July 15: Cocktail Party / Closing Event
July 16: Tuesday Tours! Come along with us on a field trip to state-of-the-art spaces around the city and see the what the future of architecture holds.

Sponsorship opportunities (PDF) still available.
Download the NATEAC Prospectus (PDF).

About NATEAC
Created by Bill Sapsis of Sapsis Rigging, Inc., NATEAC was first produced in 2008. Since then, it has been bringing together the architects, engineers, consultants, and manufacturers who are responsible for designing, building, and renovating theaters. NATEAC also facilitates communication between those groups and end users. Over the course of a weekend, conference-goers attend panels and exchange ideas at social events like an evening boat cruise in New York Harbor, charity dinner, and a cocktail reception.