National Conference Archive

The TCG National Conference is the only nationwide gathering of the not-for-profit professional theatre community. Previous conference topics have included Theatre at the Center, Artistry in a New Century, and Building Future Audience.

2011 TCG National Conference: TCG At 50: What If...
Los Angeles, CA. June 16–18, 2011

The 2011 TCG National Conference: TCG at 50: What if...? took place June June 16–18 in Los Angeles, CA. Kicking off a year-long celebration of TCG's 50th Anniversary, TCG's 21st conference saw 1,100 attendees, 212 sessions, 3,662+ tweets, and countless new ideas and connections.

Taking place over three days at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel, the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and Central Los Angeles High School #9 for the Visual and Performing Arts, this historic convening brought together the theatre community to explore the field's achievements, challenges, and visions for the future.

2010 TCG National Conference: Ideas Into Action
Chicago, IL. June 17-19, 2010

Last year, we examined the landscape within which we now work. We looked at some of the major challenges facing the theatre field: changes in leadership, economic uncertainty, a diversity of aesthetics, technological advances, the possibilities of the future and the evolving nature of global relationships.

This year, we dug even deeper, rolled up our sleeves and got our hands dirty. The 2010 TCG National Conference, Ideas into Action, was an opportunity to explore bold new solutions, cultivate a community that strengthens and nourishes work and hear from theatres, artists and other thought leaders who inspired strategic thinking that leads to action.

2009 TCG National Conference: ROOTS, RENAISSANCE, REVOLUTION
Baltimore, MD. June 4-6, 2009

Roots, Renaissance, Revolution: Defining the New Landscape, TCG's 2009 National Conference, was held in Baltimore, Maryland on June 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2009, with a pre-conference in Washington, D.C. on June 3rd. The conveneing set out to examine the ROOTS of our field, strategize for a much-needed RENAISSANCE, and look for the REVOLUTION of tomorrow! We enjoyed a wide selection of sessions that focused on the past, present, and future and heard from such noted speakers as Writer/Director John Waters, Futurist Andrew Zolli, Gen Y Journalist Nadira A. Hira as well as a public conversation between two of the field's most respected artists, Anne Bogart and Bill T. Jones.

2008 TCG National Conference: Theatre at the Center
Denver, Colorado, from June 10-14, 2008

Theatre at the Center, TCG’S 2008 National Conference was held in conjunction with the 2008 National Performing Arts Convention: Taking Action Together in Denver, Colorado, from June 10-14, 2008. At the Denver Center Theatre Company and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, there were distinct sessions for theatre professionals. These included inspiring speeches by London-based African-Caribbean playwright, actor and director Kwame Kwei-Armah; Dr. Alexander MacDonald of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; playwright Paula Vogel and Kinney Zalesne, co-author of the book microtrends: the small forces behind tomorrow's big changes. Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz and other members of UNIVERSES welcomed TCG at a party at the Curious Theatre Company and many more field leaders shared their expertise and insights in breakouts and workshops.

In addition, TCG attendees joined with the rest of the performing arts field at the Colorado Convention Center in an exploration of the strength of the performing arts sector and its place in American culture. The National Performing Arts Convention worked towards building an effective national performing arts community by identifying the issues which unite us and the goals we can strive for together. TCG registrants mingled with those from Dance/USA, Chorus America, Early Music America, OPERA America and the League of American Orchestras to align resources and share ideas, strategies, and experiences in order to gather best practices, build cross-disciplinary networks and ultimately strengthen our individual disciplines. Using the highly effective AmericaSpeaks methods and tools for public deliberation and dialogue, the week-long convention culminated in our participants voting on the priorities and best strategies to establish a strong and vital nonprofit performing arts sector with an important place in the lives of Americans.

2007 TCG National Conference: Artistry in a New Century
Minneapolis, MN, June 7-9, 2007

The 2007 TCG National Conference, Artistry in a New Century, hosted by the Twin Cities theatre community, was held in the new Guthrie Theater facilities from June 7-9, 2007 with a pre-conference day at Penumbra Theatre on June 6th. A new world, a new country, a new audience, new art - the 2007 TCG National Conference turned its attention to creating theatre for today and tomorrow with Artistry in a New Century. The conference engaged master artists and creative thinkers in the quest to craft theatre that resonates in our communities - locally, nationally and globally. The two and a half days of the conference investigated the creative process, new models of developing work and the artist as a catalyst for social change.

2006 TCG National Conference: Building Future Audience
Atlanta, GA, June 8-10, 2006

The 16th TCG National Conference, Building Future Audience, was hosted by the Atlanta theatre community at the Woodruff Arts Center, home of the Alliance Theatre, from June 8-10, 2006. The conference began with Blue Ocean Strategy, a strategic planning pre-conference workshop led by Ralph Trombetta. The conference built on previous conversations about the widening polarization in American society and turned more specifically to issues of social organizing and connection.

The conference’s plenary speeches included Anne Bogart’s “The Role of the Audience,” Colin Greer’s “The Politics of Belonging,” Kevin McCarthy’s “Understanding Arts Participation as a Behavioral Process,” a panel entitled “Who is the Audience of the Future?” with Guy Garcia and Wendy Puriefoy, moderated by Susan Booth and a closing address from TCG’s former executive director, Ben Cameron.

TCG National Conference 2005: Creating the Future: Theatre in a Polarized World
Seattle, Washington, June 16-18, 2005

The 15th TCG National Conference, the only nationwide gathering of the not-for-profit professional theatre community, was held in Seattle, Washington, from June 16-18, 2005, jointly hosted by ACT Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre and Seattle Repertory Theatre. It focused on Creating the Future: Theatre in a Polarized World. Over 800 theatre professionals from 15 countries and 38 states gathered in Seattle for three days of plenary sessions, breakouts and vital conversation.

Also, Leadership for Artistic Directors, a joint program of Theatre Communications Group, Dance USA and National Arts Strategies, was presented as a preconference event June 15-16, 2005.

TCG's 14th Biennial National Conference: Courage, Creativity and Change
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 11-14, 2003

Over 600 theatre professionals—artistic and management leaders, trustees, artists and others—from across the country and around the world, gathered in Milwaukee from June 11-14, 2003 to explore Courage, Creativity and Change.

Compelling speakers, performances, TCG awards, a wide array of breakout sessions, late night gatherings and the lively Milwaukee theatre community, all contributed to an extraordinary event.

2001 Conference

Over 670 theatre professionals—artistic leaders, management leaders, trustees, artists and others—explored The Role of Live Theater in a Digital Culture in Philadelphia from June 20-23. Speakers, special presentations, performances, conversation, late night gatherings and Philadelphia's lively theatre scene all contributed to the conference experience. New additions to the conference program included a vendor fair and the open space meeting approach. The conference also celebrated TCG's 40th anniversary with videos, special guests, and the introduction of the TCG Awards.