tcg Annual Report 2005–2006 Theatre Communications Group (TCG) was founded in 1961 at the outset of the regional theatre movement with the mission to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not–for–profit American theatre. Over the last 45 years, our constituency has grown from a tiny network of groundbreaking theatres to more than 430 member theatres in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as over 17,000 individuals nationwide. TCG’s core programs include conferences, publications and grantmaking programs. Events, such as our annual TCG National Conference, bring together geographically separated peer professionals and provide forums for sharing best practices. As the nation’s leading independent publisher of dramatic literature, TCG Books releases approximately 15 theatre books and plays per year. Our periodical publications, American Theatre magazine and the ARTSEARCH employment bulletin, connect and inform the field. Through grantmaking programs and awards, TCG promotes career development, artistic collaboration and the creation of new work. As a national center, TCG is in a unique position to galvanize leadership. We spearhead the Free Night of Theater audience development campaign and other national collaborative initiatives. We gather and disseminate industry information, conduct national research and advocate for the theatre field in Washington. In our role as the U.S. Center of UNESCO’s International Theatre Institute, a network of theatre centers in over 90 countries, TCG links members to the international theatre community. In all our endeavors, TCG seeks to increase the organizational efficiency of our member theatres, cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the field, and promote a larger public understanding of and appreciation for the theatre. board of Directors •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2 Perspectives on the Year ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4 Abel López, Board President Ben Cameron, Executive Director core Programs •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8 ConferenCes and events 8 Expanding the Theatre Manager’s Repertoire 2005 Free Night of Theater Fall Forum on Governance: Art in the Board Room Leadership for Artistic Directors Conversations in the Field II ITI World Congress Blue Ocean Strategy TCG National Conference: Building Future Audience Managers’ Teleconferences Education Directors’ Teleconferences GrantmakinG, Professional develoPment and awards 2 The Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships New Generations Program NEA/TCG Career Development Programs NEA/TCG Theatre Residency Program for Playwrights TCG/ITI Travel Grants TCG Observership Program National Theatre Criticism/Affiliated Writers Program TCG Awards Peter Zeisler Memorial Award Inactive Programs PubliCations 6 TCG Books American Theatre ARTSEARCH TCG Bulletin services and field leadership ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8 National Research Advocacy Programs for Theatre Educators International Theatre Institute TCG Website constituency •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 22 TCG Member Theatres Business, Funder and University Affiliates Individual Members and Trustee Leadership Network National Council for the American Theatre Contributors Selection Panels, Task Forces and Advisory Committees financial overview ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 30 TCG staff •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 32 table of contents tcg AnnuAl Report TCG’s board of directors represent a diverse range of geographic, board cultural, aesthetic and professional viewpoints. The board held three two–day meetings in 2005–2006, with additional committee meetings of direCtors held throughout the year. Board members are elected for an initial term of four years, and are eligible to be re–elected for an additional term of two years. We would like to express our appreciation to all of our board members for their generous donation of time, expertise and counsel throughout 2005–2006. Gary anderson • Vice President susan v. booth • Vice President Peter C. brosius Carlyle brown Producing artistic Director artistic Director artistic Director Playwright Plowshares Theatre Company Alliance Theatre The Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, MN Detroit, MI Atlanta, GA Minneapolis, MN Carol brown ben Cameron Jeff Church david dower Pittsburgh Cultural Trust executive Director Producing artistic Director artistic Director Pittsburgh, PA Theatre Communications Group The Coterie Theatre The Z Space Studio New York, NY Kansas City, MO San Francisco, CA Peter dubois danny Hoch melanie Joseph martha lavey associate Producer actor, Playwright, Director Producing artistic Director artistic Director The Public Theater New York, NY The Foundry Theatre Steppenwolf Theatre Company New York, NY New York, NY Chicago, IL robert H. leonard todd london abel lópez • President Catherine maciariello Director artistic Director associate Producing Director Program officer Virginia Tech New Dramatists GALA Hispanic Theatre for the Performing arts Blacksburg, VA New York, NY Washington, DC The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation New York, NY 2 tcg AnnuAl Report boarD of Directors ellen mclaughlin benjamin moore Charles newell Paul nicholson actor, Playwright Managing Director artistic Director executive Director Nyack, NY Seattle Repertory Theatre Court Theatre Oregon Shakespeare Festival Seattle, WA Chicago, IL Ashland, OR daniel renner nancy keen roche • Treasurer rosalba rolón timothy J. shields • Secretary Director of education trustee artistic Director Managing Director Denver Center Theatre Company CENTERSTAGE Pregones Theater Milwaukee Repertory Theater Denver, CO Baltimore, MD Bronx, NY Milwaukee, WI molly smith Paula tomei susan trapnell susan tsu artistic Director Managing Director Managing Director costume Designer Arena Stage South Coast Repertory ACT Theatre Carnegie Mellon University Washington, DC Costa Mesa, CA Seattle, WA Pittsburgh, PA shay wafer tim weiss Jeffrey woodward Chay Yew Managing Director trustee Managing Director Playwright, Director Cornerstone Theater Company South Coast Repertory McCarter Theatre Center Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Costa Mesa, CA Princeton, NJ boarD of Directors tcg AnnuAl Report 3 As I look back at our activities in fiscal year 2005–2006, I am struck by the PersPeCtives dramatic changes, new challenges and incredible successes that we have witnessed. This is an exciting moment of transition and opportunity for on tHe Year TCG—one that was not anticipated a year ago. After eight years of exemplary and visionary leadership, the end of the fiscal year brought the resignations • Abel lópez, Board President of executive director Ben Cameron and managing director Joan Channick. They left an organization that is now stronger, more deeply rooted in its core values and poised to develop more specific actions to realize our vision for the future. Ben will continue to be an important partner to TCG in his new position as program director for the arts at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Joan has returned to a member theatre as managing director of the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT. I know both will continue to serve our field with integrity, dedication and vision. But, we will miss their teamwork, humor and thoughtfulness at TCG. Now, to the absolute delight of our staff, board and field, Gigi Bolt is serving as our interim executive director. Gigi is the former director of theatre and musical theatre at the National Endowment for the Arts and will serve TCG until a new executive director is in place. Working closely with TCG board committees and staff liaisons, she has ensured that programs and services continue to be provided with the excellence you have come to expect and deserve. Her energy and leadership have maintained the momentum of all of our initiatives as we move forward. It is our hope, however, that the Selection Committee—under the chairmanship of Tim Shields, managing director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and with the guidance of Greg Kandel of Management Consultants for the Arts, Inc.—will complete its work this fall and the next executive director of TCG will be at the helm in early 2007. Highlights of 2005–2006 • TCG was awarded a 2005 Tony Honors for excellence in Theatre in recognition of our contributions to the field. • Our national Free night of Theater pilot program was launched in Austin, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Our research revealed that the event was an unmatched success in reaching a new demographic audience and impacting the theatregoing habits of participants. The program will continue to expand across the country in 2006 and 2007. • More than 700 theatre professionals convened at the TCG national Conference in Atlanta to explore the topic of building future audiences. Your participation, intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm once again made the conference a wonderful experience full of rich dialogue, artistry and the development and strengthening of meaningful relationships. • With funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a series of Conversations in the Field was held in four cities to “take the pulse” of the American not–for–profit theatre. • TCG convened several working group sessions as part of in a new initiative to create national models for student assessment and program evaluation for both school and community–based theatre education programs. • TCG received applications for our newest grantmaking program,