April 1, 2008 - The Living Room for Artists Inc/Summer Play Festival (SPF) and The Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting (MOFTB) will present its first panel of 2008 on Monday, April 21 - a look at the variety of theatre festivals in New York City and what one needs to do to be a part of the action. Titled “What Theatre Festival is Right for Me?”, the panel is designed for individuals and groups looking to get their production on stage and to promote it through a festival.

The panel will be moderated by Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. Panelists will be composed of representatives from Summer Play Festival, New York International Fringe Festival, the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and TeatroStageFest.

The free panel will take place at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) on April 21 from 7pm-8:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Guests should RSVP to message@film.nyc.gov by April 19. This panel is the latest in a series of panels co-produced by the SPF and MOFTB addressing careers in theatre management, theatrical production and support, and acting.

”New York City is the proud home of the finest creative minds in the theatre world,” Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting said. "Producers choose to start their shows in New York because of our rich and talented entertainment community, including creators who work in both theatre and film and television. This panel will address how members of the local theatre community look to get their or another playwright’s words on stage, which contributes so greatly to our local culture and economy.”

Under founder Arielle Tepper Madover (a producer of Broadway’s Monty Python's Spamalot, The Pillowman, A Raisin in The Sun, and Freak), the non-profit organization The Living Room for Artists Inc./Summer Play Festival provides emerging writers, directors, designers and producers an opportunity to work on their material and their craft in a protected environment, guided by established professionals at no cost to them. The festival takes place throughout the month of July. In 2008, SPF will return forming a new alliance with The Public Theater, running Tuesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 27, 2008. The Public is located at 425 Lafayette Street, just below Astor Place. For general information call 212-539-8500.