ROUNDTABLES & TRAINING
New Jersey Theatre Alliance offers opportunities for staff of member theatres as well as the larger cultural community to learn and network together. The Alliance strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully.
To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Kat Lily, Access Coordinator.
Member Theatre Staff Only
The roundtables 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.
Staff Roundtables and Affinity Spaces
Open to staff of Alliance member theatres only. Roundtables and affinity spaces are typically virtual with the exception of a few in-person events (in-person events are noted in the descriptions).
Roundtable – A peer-to-peer resource to learn and network; usually facilitated by a guest speaker, the roundtable chair, or a staff member of the Alliance.
Affinity Space – A brave space to connect with peers where the priority is self-care and community care.
Artistic Staff Roundtables
Open to staff of Alliance member theatres only.
Stronger Together
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This session will be a supportive conversation among artistic directors and like positions. Together, we will explore how we can support each other on an ongoing basis through challenges, collaborations, and successes. How do we stay artistically fulfilled and inspired even as our positions require administrative duties? How do we fend off feelings of isolation and instead nurture a sustainable community?
Artistic Staff Roundtable #2
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
More info coming soon!
Artistic Staff Roundtable #3
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
More info coming soon!
Development Staff Roundtable
Open to staff and volunteers of Alliance member theatres only
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.
Legacy Giving
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
How to start talking about legacy giving with your donors?
Guest speaker: A representative from FreeWill.org
The Art of Solicitation, Cultivation, and Stewardship
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Tips and tools to better engage donors in the long-term.
Education Staff Roundtables
Open to staff of Alliance member theatres only.
Best Practices for Underserved Communities
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This session is led by Leese Walker (Producing Artistic Director from Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble). Attendees will learn how to authentically engage communities through sustainable structures and proven formulas. How do organizations serve their surrounding communities by centering the people’s needs as opposed to prescribing or assuming what they are?
Education Staff Roundtable #2
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
More info coming soon!
Education Staff Roundtable #3
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
More info coming 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.
Sense & Sensibility at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ
Friday, September 20, 2024 | 7 PM
*In-person event*
This session includes a pre-show mixer onsite at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ’s Treehouse Longe at 7 PM. Attendees will see Jane Austen’s, Sense & Sensibility (Adapted by Jessica Swale), which starts at 8 pm. By registering for this event and receiving confirmation for a spot, each attendee will get a complimentary ticket, food/beverage, and a $25 travel stipend to the show. Please be advised that there are limited spots available and the due date to register is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
Emerging Leader Affinity Space #2
Date & Time TBD
*In-person event*
More info coming soon!
Emerging Leader Affinity Space #3
Date & Time TBD
*In-person event*
More info coming soon!
General Management Staff Roundtables
Open to staff of Alliance member theatres only
Top of Mind
Friday, October 18, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What are relevant topics and issues for you? What are your burning questions? This session is an idea-generating space for attendees to shape upcoming roundtable sessions and lean on each other for resources and general support.
General Management Roundtable #2
Friday, January 10, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
More info coming soon!
General Management Roundtable #3
Friday, April 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
More info coming soon!
Marketing Staff Roundtables
Open to staff of Alliance member theatres only
Marketing Staff Roundtable #1
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
More info coming soon!
Marketing Staff Roundtable #2
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
More info coming soon!
Marketing Staff Roundtable #3
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
More info coming soon!
New Jersey Arts and Culture Community Offerings
The roundtables listed below are open to the larger New Jersey Arts & Culture Community.
Roundtables and Affinity Spaces
Roundtables and affinity spaces are typically virtual with the exception of a few in-person events (in-person events are noted in the descriptions).
Roundtable – A peer-to-peer resource to learn and network; usually facilitated by a guest speaker, the roundtable chair, or a staff member of the Alliance.
Affinity Space – A brave space to connect with peers where the priority is self-care and community care.
Cultural Access Network Virtual "Access Thursdays"
Open to the full arts and culture community of New Jersey. The Cultural Access Network Project is a program of The New Jersey State Council on the Arts and New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Kat Lily, Access Coordinator.
ADA Planning Webinar
Thursday, October 10, 2024 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Please note that the following disciplines are required to submit three-year ADA Plans: Dance, Music, Theatre, Service Organizations for Theatre and Dance, and New Grantees to the Arts Council. Plans are to be completed in the ADA Plan portal and due on Friday, January 10, 2025.
We encourage staff from organizations required to submit an ADA Plan to join us for one of the two 90-minute webinars being offered to review the plan requirements and how to upload your information to the ADA Plan portal.
ADA Planning Webinar
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Please note that the following disciplines are required to submit three-year ADA Plans: Dance, Music, Theatre, Service Organizations for Theatre and Dance, and New Grantees to the Arts Council. Plans are to be completed in the ADA Plan portal and due on Friday, January 10, 2025.
We encourage staff from organizations required to submit an ADA Plan to join us for one of the two 90-minute webinars being offered to review the plan requirements and how to upload your information to the ADA Plan portal.
Target Marketing and Websites: Keys to Building Audiences for Your Access Programs and Services
Thursday, December 5, 2024 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Access Is a Partnership Between the Organization and Host Venue
Thursday, January 9, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Whether you are touring your programs to different venues or renting a venue for one public event, your organization is still required to ensure the program is accessible.
Learn how touring organizations and their venue partners can be proactive in working together to ensure programs are accessible and marketed. The importance of ADA Tour Riders and Checklists will be discussed.
Ensuring Trustees Know the Importance of ADA Planning
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
The accessibility journey needs to be an organizational priority and all individuals and departments need to be engaged in the work, including the Board of Trustees.
We will hear from organizations whose trustees are engaged in the access work of their organizations, the important role the Board plays in setting access policy and ensuring there are financial and human resources dedicated to access, and how the Board can assist in the ADA planning of their organization.
We encourage managers of organizations to invite their trustees to this session.
Making Museums, Galleries and Visual Arts Organizations Accessible
Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Every artistic discipline has some unique things to consider when planning for accessibility. This session will focus on best practices for visual arts organizations as they assess and offer access services and programs.
Learn from your peers, discuss strategies, and explore solutions to challenges.
Sensory Friendly Experiences
Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Sensory-friendly experiences can be designed to create welcoming and accessible environments for children and adults with cognitive disabilities. This session will explore best practices for developing sensory-friendly experiences for theatres, museums, film, and other artistic disciplines.
Topics to be discussed are program development, staff and volunteer engagement, and community engagement.
Wrap Up/Check In
Thursday, May 1, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Join us for a wrap-up session to reflect on this year’s roundtables, discuss challenges, share progress in accessibility efforts, and exchange strategies for engaging colleagues in this work. This is an opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and gain insights from peers as we continue working toward greater inclusion. We will also invite participants to share ideas and recommend topics for future roundtables.
Creating Change Virtual Roundtables
Open to the full arts and culture community of New Jersey
Check back soon for FY25 Offerings!
2024-2025 Creating Change Virtual Roundtables will be announced in September.
In the meantime, we encourage you to register for the in-person Creating Change Summit on October 23, 2024.
Learn more about the Creating Change Summit here.
You can also view many recorded sessions in our Creating Change Archives.
