The Washington Area Performing Arts Video Archive (WAPAVA) records performances for the James J. Taylor Collection, one of only two active public archives in the country devoted to recording theater and other performing arts of its community. Washington, DC, is now known worldwide as one of the cultural centers of the nation, and the WAPAVA mission is to build a professional videotape record of theater, dance and other live performance as an educational and artistic resource for the Washington area. WAPAVA’s vision is to record a true cross-section of Washington Area theatrical performances. Our goal is to add SIXTY new recordings each year. WAPAVA pays professional videographers, who with our post-production facility, support WAPAVA by charging us substantially less than market rates. Some theatres support the cost of recording and editing. During the 2009-10 season, recording and editing of shows from smaller (and possibly more adventurous) theatres will be supported by a matching grant from the NEA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Board of Directors Executive Committee. . . . . . . . . .Scott Berg. . . . . . . . . . . . Constance A. Mayer Stephen Jarrett, President. . . . . . Karen Blackman-Mills . . . . . Vincent J. Novara Irene Wagner, Secretary. . . . . . . Colleen Fay. . . . . . . . . . . . Eva Stehle Jackson Bryer, Treasurer. . . . . . . William Largess . . . . . . . . . Daniel MacLean Wagner The WAPAVA Advisory Board is a group of Theater professionals, critics, academics, and theater lovers, which identifies productions to be considered for archiving by WAPAVA. > Members of the Advisory Board communicate through the season on an online electronic group, proposing productions for archiving according to their acquaintance with ongoing productions. > The Chair forwards suggestions to the Executive Committee, which makes the selection. > Productions are chosen for their historical and educational value, considering the archive's mission as a resource for theater professionals and scholars; students and educational programs; specialized researchers in local and national theater history; and the general public. > Premieres, unique events, community interest, and contributions of particular value by performers, directors, or designers are given special consideration in selecting productions to archive.