The Midwest Entertainment Connection (MECONN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1999 for the purpose of connecting the entertainment communities of Los Angeles and the Midwest. In addition to contributions to an annual beneficiary

Beneficiary

A beneficiary in the broadest sense is a natural person or other legal entity who receives money or other benefits from a benefactor. For example: The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, is the person who receives the payment of the amount of insurance after the death of the insured...

, the Los Angeles

Los Ángeles

Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...

 based organization hosts general events for their membership which often feature prominent guest lecturers from the entertainment industry. Other events have included casting seminars, script readings http://meconn.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=16&Itemid=55, and screenings http://meconn.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=17&Itemid=56.

History

The organization began its life in the mid 1990s as the Kansas Connection. As the organization grew in the late-nineties it organized as a nonprofit under the original co-presidents and founders, Connie Ventress and Eleanor Lind. During its formative years, the organization always had people from other Midwest states in the membership. In 2007 The Kansas Connection officially became the Midwest Entertainment Connection to better reflect its membership and expand its focus.

Mission statement

"To raise money for or otherwise contribute to various educational, arts, and mentoring programs through events that will simultaneously promote and support Midwest professionals in the entertainment industry."

Past Beneficiaries

2008 A Place Called Home

2007 Shakespeare At Play

2006 The Sycamores

[additional information requested]

Current and Former Presidents

2009 Tara Flynn

2008 Aaron Sawyer

2006-2007 Kelie McIver

Kelie McIver

Kelie McIver is a Topeka, Kansas-born actress and singer who has played such classical stage roles as Viola in Twelfth Night for both Nevada Shakespeare in the Park and Shakespeare at Play, Lady Macbeth, Kate in Taming of the Shrew, Rosalind in As You Like It, Angelique in The Imaginary Invalid,...

 

2005 Nancy Nyberg

2002-2004 Charles Miller

[additional information requested]

1999 Connie Ventress and Eleanor Lind (Co-Presidents and Founders)