HOW THE CONFERENCE WORKS

Thinking about or planning on attending the Valdez Theatre Conference? The following information is intended to answer a lot of questions about how things work. If you don’t find the answers you need here, don’t hesitate to e-mail the Conference Coordinator.

This guide includes:

• How to get to Valdez.
• Where to sleep.
• What to wear.
• How Play Lab readings work, and how to get involved as a reader.
• Getting outside while you’re in Valdez.

If you are planning on attending the 2026 Conference, the first step is filling out the 2026 RSVP form.

HOW TO GET TO VALDEZ

STEP ONE: GET TO ANCHORAGE

If you’re coming from out-of-state, first you need to get to Anchorage, which has the only major airport in Alaska. Some adventuresome people drive all the way to Valdez on the Alcan Highway.

STEP TWO: GET TO VALDEZ FROM ANCHORAGE

DRIVING

The lovely drive from Anchorage to Valdez is 306 miles (approximately six hours). Rental cars are expensive to have for the week (you can’t drop them off in Valdez), but split between three people, that cost will seem more reasonable and it’s convenient having a car at the event (though everything is walkable).

BUS

There will be an Anchorage-Valdez shuttle bus. Buses will leave the Anchorage Airport’s Bus Plaza. The schedule:
Anchorage to Valdez
Saturday, June 6, 2:00 p.m.
Valdez to Anchorage
Sunday, June 15, 8:00 a.m. (arriving at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Seats cost $100 each way.

FLYING

Arctic Legacy flies small planes into Valdez 3 times per day; the flight takes about 45 minutes. The Conference will shuttle participants from the airport to their accommodations. These flights need to be booked through their website.

FERRY

Some people take the ferry to Valdez. Prices and times here.

MAPS

For perspective on Valdez, here are some maps.

STEP THREE: NOW I’M IN VALDEZ

WHAT’S THE TOWN LIKE

There are about four thousand residents, though that number can increase by several thousand during the summer months. Almost everything within walking distance. As one might expect from visiting a town that is remote by Alaskan standards, generally everything here is going to cost more than you’re used to.

WHERE TO RESIDE

Valdez has lots of hotels and B&Bs. For full listings, visit www.valdezalaska.org. We receive support from the Best Western, the Keystone Hotel, the Glacier Hotel, and the recently rebuilt Totem Inn, and would love for you to support the businesses that support us.

We provide free accommodations at our student housing which are used to host some participants. Rooms are shared by multiple people, often strangers. The facilities have showers and kitchen facilities. There are a limited number of beds and cots available, and linen sets as well. Alternately, bringing an air mattress or sleeping bag can make it much more comfortable. People are welcome to sleep there from the evening of opening weekend’s Friday, checking out by the final Sunday. Any additional time would be negotiated directly with PWSC Housing.

TO BE CLEAR: This housing is provided free of charge to make attending financially viable; people using it share tight communal living spaces with strangers. The price is right, but this is roughing it.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO WEAR?

Weather in Valdez is highly variable, usually 40 to 75 degrees, so the key is layers. Be prepared to be bundled up, but able to get down to shorts and a t-shirt on short notice. Also, bring a raincoat, and an umbrella is a smart idea.

Although the week is very casual, there are receptions and other opportunities to dress more fancy if you want to. Come as you will, no pressure to gussy up unless you want to.

WHERE DOES THE CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE?

Almost all events for the Conference happen at the Valdez Civic Center, located up the hill on Clifton Court Road. Here are some maps to help with perspective.

For more details about the Civic Center, visit their site.

DOES IT EVER GET DARK THERE?

Yes. In the summer at about 2:00 a.m. it becomes dusk for a couple hours. If this is going to create sleeping problems, best bring a sleep mask.

MY PLAY IS BEING READ… WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The Play Lab Coordinator casts the readings using a combination of actors from Alaska and ones coming from outside the state. They have the scripts sent to them about a month before the Conference so that they can be familiar with them when they arrive.

All readings have a single rehearsal a day before the public reading. A director will be provided unless the author prefers to direct their own reading.

After your reading there is a response section from three panelists, and a period for audience feedback. The Conference endeavors to follow the development format created at the Circle Repertory Theatre Company, with feedback that neither coddles nor re-writes, but instead opens the writer up to new ways of understanding their play.

After the reading and critique session, there will be a private one-on-one discussion for the playwright with one of their panelists.

I WANT TO BE A DIRECTOR AND/OR READER IN THE PLAY LAB… WHAT DO I DO?

Fill out the 2026 RSVP form; it includes a chance to let us know.

WHAT ABOUT GETTING OUTSIDE

Long-time participating playwright Tom Moran organizes hour-long morning hikes. The schedule of these will be provided to participants.

NO QUESTION IS TOO SMALL!

If you didn’t find what you needed to hear, e-mail Conference Coordinator.