"The last time TCG held our National Conference in Chicago in 2010, we were thrilled to engage with the vitality and vision of Chicago's irreplaceable theatre community. Our Conference, called Ideas to Action, focused on artistic risk-taking, race and gender, the arts learning continuum, and our creative ecosystem," said Teresa Eyring, executive director of TCG. "As we return to Chicago more than a decade later, we're thrilled to reconnect with that vitality and vision at a moment of crisis and transformation for our theatre ecosystem."
"The League of Chicago Theatres is proud to partner with Theatre Communications Group for the 2024 conference and, along with the entire Chicago theatre community, we look forward to welcoming our colleagues from across the nation," said Marissa Lynn Ford, executive director, League of Chicago Theatres and Heidi Thompson Saunders, board chair, League of Chicago Theatres. "Chicago is an incubator for our industry and has always been a supportive home for new work, artists and productions. We can't wait to share the Windy City's legacy of community artmaking, breadth of innovation and artistic talent with the national theatre community."
Through its convenings, TCG continues to serve as a connector for theatres to share best practices and new business and artistic models with one another. TCG presents plenary speakers, breakout sessions, workshops, and performances throughout the National Conference. Past keynote speakers have included leading artists and thinkers, such as Julian Brave NoiseCat, Billy Porter, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Edwidge Danticat, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jer Thorp, Anand Giridharadas, Samantha Power, Stephanie Ybarra, Mona Eltahawy, Jeff Chang, Jane McGonigal, and Baratunde Thurston.