Blogs

Name: Mark Valdez

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Director/Writer

TCG Individual Member Since: 1994

Why are you an Individual Member of TCG, what does it offer/provide you?

--I love TCG and I want to support the organization. Membership is one way I can do that. Personally, TCG keeps me connected to the field; to my national community. I get news and updates, I am introduced to artists, I get information about field trends and challenges (I LOVE the Theater Facts reports!!!). In many ways, TCG offers a lifeline. The work can be isolating sometimes, TCG reminds me that there is a whole field of people like me, who are making work.

Have you ever attended a TCG event or convening? If, so tell us about what you learned or gained from the experience.

-- I have been fortunate to have attended various TCG convenings, from the Annual Conference to the Fall Forum, to the Gala, to reading, etc. I prize the opportunities to connect with colleagues--the face-to-face time is a rare gift as we are all so busy. At the most recent Fall Forum I was struck by a presentation about lessons learned from the last recession (which I’m thinking a whole lot about right now!).

Name: Evander Duck, Jr.

Location: New Jersey

Occupation: Professional Actor

TCG Individual Member Since: 2011

Have you frequented any TCG Member Theatres in your area? If so, tell us about why you love their work.

-- Two River Theatre provides professional diverse programming for my NJ community.

What are you most looking forward to in the American theatre field right now?

-- Revisiting staged works particularly pertinent to our current living and new work that address the same. Also experiencing new voices!

Name: Dennis G Assaf

Location: Metairie, Louisiana

Occupation: Co-founder, General/Artistic Director, Conductor

TCG Individual
Member Since: 2009

Why are you an Individual Member of TCG, what does it offer/provide you?

-- Valuable resource in the industry for repertoire, innovation, technical equipment etc

Have you frequented any TCG Member Theatres in your area? If so, tell us about why you love their work.

-- Revisiting staged works particularly pertinent to our current living and new work that address the same. Also experiencing new voices!

Name: Pascale Florestal

Location: Boston, MA

Occupation: Director, Educator, Dramaturge and Writer

TCG Individual Member Since: 2018

What are you most looking forward to in the American theatre field right now?

--Theater is always there at the end to teach the world, so I’m curious to see how we adapt to our new normal and the work that comes from it.

Why are you an Individual Member of TCG, what does it offer/provide you?

I’ve known about TCG since high school and always wanted to be apart of the community. The different resources and opportunities provided for professional development has always been an important aspect of why I continue to be a member. It also provides access to the other theaters and keeps me updated in what’s happening in our industry.

Name: Stacie Chaiken

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Writer-performer

TCG Individual Member Since: 2000

How are you involved with theatre in your daily life?

--I am a writer-performer of solo plays and I work with people working to create compelling stuff, based on personal material

Why are you an Individual Member of TCG, what does it offer/provide you?

-- Connection to the national and international theatre community through American Theatre Magazine; access to ArtSearch for job listings; and TCG Circle has provoked me on at least one occasion to write about my work in a larger context.

Name: Richard Perez

Location: Holland, MI

Occupation: Actor, Director, Educator

TCG Individual Member Since: Too long to remember

Why are you an Individual Member of TCG, what does it offer/provide you?

-- Membership provides an opportunity to stay connected and learn from others. I think it's easy to forget that many of us struggle with the similar issues when it comes to this art form that we are all so passionate about. TCG Membership and events remind me that if I am willing to ask for help or guidance, it is always there.

How are you involved with theatre in your daily life?

-- I teach at Hope College in Holland, MI. Teaching is one of my great passions and the fact that I get to do that and still remain active in the professional world is such a gift. I have used the time during quarantine to also focus on playwriting. It has been at the top of my list of things to do "when I get more time". Well guess what? I was given more time.

Name: Stephen J. Irish

Location: Acton, MA

Occupation: Banking,
Board Member at Merrimack Theatre Company

TCG Individual
Member Since: 2006

Why are you an Individual Member of TCG, what does it offer/provide you?

-- It provides me insights and knowledge of what is happening in the non-profit theatre arena.  Given my occupational area, I really rely on TCG as a primary source of information for something I care passionately about.

Have you ever attended a TCG event or convening? If, so tell us about what you learned or gained from the experience.

-- I attended a Fall Forum on Governance.  It provided a great networking opportunities and insights in the common challenges members experience.