American Theatre | TCG Fall Forum 2025: Navigating the Long Arc of Change
Summary of the TCG Fall Forum 2025: Navigating the Long Arc of Change
This article details key takeaways from the Theater Communications Group (TCG) Fall Forum 2025, which focused on navigating change within the performing arts. Here’s a breakdown of the main points:
* Leading with Legacy & Innovation: A central theme was the courage to innovate while respecting an organization’s history. One presenter, Chin, described the transition process at their company as similar to devising a theatre piece, with a developing “script” (new model) and “actors” (artistic leadership) shaping it.
* Healthy Board-Staff Relationships: A session led by Calida N. Jones and Douglas R. Clayton of Creative Evolutions emphasized that strong board-staff relationships require the same fundamentals as any healthy relationship: clear communication, consideration, and well-defined expectations.
* Future-Focused Scenario Planning: Daniel Payne of AEA Consulting presented on future trends impacting the performing arts, including demographic shifts, blurring disciplinary boundaries, and the increasing issue of loneliness. He also discussed strategies for theatre companies to adapt.
* Networking & Atmosphere: The forum fostered a casual and presentational atmosphere, providing opportunities for connection, as evidenced by a photo of Erica Lauren Ortiz and bertrand Evans-Taylor.
In essence, the forum equipped theatre professionals with insights and strategies for navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by a changing landscape, emphasizing both internal organizational health and external awareness of broader societal trends.