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 | 9:30 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

Cultivating Your Vision in the Year Ahead

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

In this first session, registrants will come together for a temperature check to see how they’re stepping into the season. We’ll explore interests and identify the challenges, global or New Jersey–specific, that feel most pressing in your work. This discussion will help us understand where support is most needed, strengthen our statewide connections, and begin building your vision for the year.

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 Laura Ekstrand, Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director at Vivid Stage; Joshua M. Feder, Producing Director at Art House Productions; and Stephen L. Fredericks, Founder/Executive Director at The Growing Stage. 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

New Funding Sources

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Identifying and securing new sources of funding in today’s environment

Attracting New Donors

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Strategies to attract new individual donors, steward current donors and re-engage lapsed donors.

Resources & Strategies

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Resources and strategies to start a planned giving program.

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?

Intergenerational Programming

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

This session will be a Q&A with Psacoya Guinn (she/her/hers), Director of Education and Community Engagement at New York Theatre Workshop, as she shares her experience leading intergenerational programming. Psacoya will offer insight into how theatres can implement creative, inclusive, cross-age initiatives that strengthen community engagement and deepen audience connection. Attendees will explore how these practices can be adapted for their own organizations.

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.

Joy Meets Girl: A Behind-the-Scenes Theatrical Adventure at Skyline Theatre Company

Friday, December 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM

Join us for a unique experience that blends community, connection, and a peek into a show still in the making. This session begins with a mix-and-mingle lunch at 11:00 AM at Casa Turano Parkside, followed by a special viewing of Joy Meets Girl at 12:45 PM at Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center — a Skyline Theatre Company world-premiere romantic comedy by Kimberly H. Hill.

Attendees will be stepping into a theatrical adventure. The cast will perform in the space as well as integrate props and costumes for the very first time, making this viewing an opportunity to serve as a test audience and experience a new work as it’s being built. This format responds to our member interest in programming beyond mainstages — including readings, workshops, and in-process performances — offering an intimate look at the artistic process.

Each attendee who registers and receives confirmation will receive a complimentary ticket, food and beverage, and a $25 travel stipend.

Please note that space is limited and registration closes on Friday, December 5, 2025.

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.