Member Theatre Staff Roundtables & Affinity Spaces

The events listed below are for MEMBER THEATRE STAFF ONLY.

Please Note: If you register for one of the below roundtables and are not on staff at one of our member theatres, you will be removed from the registration list.

Roundtables and affinity spaces are typically virtual with the exception of a few in-person events (in-person events are noted in the descriptions). All staff members, (full-time, part-time, and interns/apprentices) of theatres within the New Jersey Theatre Alliance membership are welcome to attend any roundtable that is of interest to them.

Roundtables are peer-to-peer resources to learn and network; usually facilitated by a guest speaker, the roundtable chair, or a staff member of the Alliance. Affinity Spaces are brave spaces to connect with peers where the priority is self-care and community care.

November 2025 Membership Gathering

Monday, November 10, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Two River Theater | Red Bank, NJ

Please join us for a day of networking and learning. Our day will focus on audience development and engagement, and opportunities for collaboration.

RSVP by Monday, November 3, 2025

Affiliate Gatherings

These offerings are an opportunity for affiliate member theatres to connect to discuss their specific needs, interests, and challenges.

Affiliate Gathering #1

Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

This gathering will have a focus on resource sharing and fundraising. We will discuss tools for producing, marketing, and funding your programming.

For the Zoom link and Google Calendar invitation, please email Daria M. Sullivan, Manager of Programs and Services at dsullivan@njta.org

Artistic Staff Roundtables

Artistic Staff Roundtable #1

Monday, December 8, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Stay tuned for more information soon.

Artistic Staff Roundtable #2

Monday, January 26, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Stay tuned for more information soon.

Artistic Staff Roundtable #3

Monday, May 18, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Stay tuned for more information soon.

Associate Gatherings

These offerings are an opportunity for associate member theatres to connect to discuss their specific needs, interests, and challenges.

Associate Gathering #1

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

This gathering will be a peer-led discussion featuring member theatre leadership staff. We will explore questions such as: How do you scale/grow your theatre? How do you operate with a small budget? For example, how can you do audience development with $2,000?

For the Zoom link and Google Calendar invitation, please email Daria M. Sullivan, Manager of Programs and Services at dsullivan@njta.org

Development Staff Roundtable

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Nuts and Bolts of Fundraising

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

This 90-minute virtual roundtable will provide an opportunity for peer-to-peer conversation around the most important components of a comprehensive fundraising plan, for both large and small theatres.

We are delighted to have Adrienne Feiger, Director of Major Gifts for Paper Mill Playhouse, Megan Powers, Director of Development for Two River Theater and Allison Whitehall, Leadership and Planned Giving Director for McCarter Theatre Company to guide our conversation.

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Engaging Your Board in Fundraising

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Please join us for this virtual conversation on how best to create a culture of fundraising on your Board. In this peer-to-peer discussion we will be joined by Meredith Burns, Executive Artistic Director for Art House Productions and Chase Law, Director of Development for Paper Mill Playhouse who will help jump start our conversation by providing guidance, insight, and strategies on how to educate and engage our trustees in fundraising

The Art of Solicitation, Cultivation, and Stewardship

Tuesday, April 29, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

This 90-minute virtual roundtable will provide an opportunity for peer-to-peer conversation around the art of donor solicitation, cultivation and stewardship. This conversation will address strategies for both large and small theatre companies.

We are delighted to be joined by Jacqueline Brendel, Director of Development for George Street Playhouse and Lori Aleixo-Howard, Director of Development for the Ritz Theatre Company to jumpstart our conversation.

Education Staff Roundtables

Reflecting on Last Year & Intention Setting for the Year Ahead

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

As a new season begins, we invite you to take this time to pause, reflect on the successes and challenges of last year, and set intentions for the school year ahead. This session will focus on supporting mental health and leaning into the strength of our community. What is your vision for FY26? What practices help you stay grounded at the start of a busy year? How can we best support one another as colleagues across our field?

Education Staff Roundtable #2

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Stay tuned for more information soon.

Education Staff Roundtable #3

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Stay tuned for more information soon.

Emerging Leaders Affinity Space

These affinity space gatherings are open to Alliance Member Theatre Staff who identify with ANY of the following: 35 years old or younger, have been in the theatre/performing arts field for five years or less, recently transitioned into the arts from another sector, and/or are new to the New Jersey theatre community.

Emerging Leader Affinity Space #1

Stay tuned for more information soon.

Emerging Leader Affinity Space #2

Stay tuned for more information soon.

Emerging Leader Affinity Space #3

Stay tuned for more information soon.

General Management Staff Roundtables

Top of Mind

Monday, September 29, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

This session is an idea-generating space for attendees to shape upcoming roundtable sessions and lean on each other for resources and general support. What are the relevant topics and pressing issues for you? What are your burning questions?

AI Temperature Check: Policies, Pitfalls, and Possibilities

Monday, December 1, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are rapidly reshaping how organizations of all sizes approach their work. From questions of policy and ethics to environmental impact and day-to-day applications, there is much to navigate—and few rules to guide us. This peer-led roundtable will serve as a temperature check: Where are you and your organization now with AI? How are you setting boundaries, sharing policies, and empowering staff to use discernment? Together, we’ll exchange insights, red flags, and resources to better understand how AI is showing up in our field and what responsible use might look like moving forward.