What is the Conference about?
In the past we gave each National Conference a theme that we hoped captured the essence of that year's Conference experience. In St. Louis in 2018, we moved to a new model in hopes that our theme would be the Conference host city itself. This year the Conference experience will be rooted in the resilience and hope of Miami, and our programming will be inspired by its history of growth, artistic diversity varied cultural identities, and community of artists and activists.
Who can attend the Conference?
Just about everyone. More specifically, Individual TCG members; Trustees and Staff of TCG Member Theatres; Staff of TCG University, Business, Not-for-Profit, Funder & International Affiliates are all welcome to attend at the Member rate. Non-Member theatres and Non-Member Individual Artists are all welcome to attend at the Non-Member rate. High school students may attend through "teen councils", generally organized through TCG Member Theatres. Click here for pricing and detailed registration information. Questions about attendance can be emailed to conference@tcg.org.
Who will be at the Conference?
The TCG National Conference is the largest annual gathering of theatre practitioners in the U.S., ranging in size from 800 to 1200 participants each year. Once registration has been live for a few weeks, and you can access a real-time attendee list here.
How can I make hotel arrangements?
The Lodging and Travel page includes all the necessary information for our hotel partner this year. The InterContinental Miami is offering an exclusive conference rate of $229/night (plus tax). TCG’s room block will be available until May 13, 2019 (or until sold out).
What is the cost to attend the Conference?
The cost of registration for the 2019 National Conference for TCG Members is $460 at the Early Bird rate (available through April 15, 2019 or until sold out) and $610 at the Regular rate. For Non-Members, the rates are $850 (Early Bird) and $1,000 (Regular). In an effort to make the Conference experience more flexible for different budgets, our registration process will offer you the opportunity to opt into each available Conference meal at an additional charge. Please select the meals in which you would like to participate while on site. All meals will take place at the InterContinental Miami. Please note that all coffee breaks will be included with your registration. More details can be found on the Fees & Discounts page.
How can I pay for my Conference registration?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You may also pay by check, and should request this method of payment by emailing TCG Member Services at info@tcg.org. .
Do I have to pay by credit card if I register online?
If you would like to register online, but would prefer not to pay by credit card, please contact TCG Member Services at info@tcg.org.
Does TCG offer financial aid to attend the Conference?
Scholarships, which fully waive the Conference fee (but do not cover travel or lodging expenses) are available for staff members at TCG Member Theatres. The first scholarship deadline is March 25th and applicants will be notified within two weeks of that deadline. The second deadline is April 26th and applicants will be notified within two weeks of that deadline. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive financial assistance.
Subsidies, which provide a 50% discount on regular Conference fees (but do not cover travel or lodging expenses), are available for Students (post-graduate and undergraduate) and Individual Artists. You must be a TCG Individual Member to be eligible for a subsidy. Your subsidy application will be considered according to the deadline by which you submit, and TCG will notify you within two weeks of that deadline. The two deadlines are as follows: March 25th and April 26th. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive financial assistance.
More detailed information can be found on our Fees & Discounts page.
Do I have to attend the Conference all three days?
While we recommend that participants attend the entire Conference for the sake of continuity, we understand that this is not always possible. Unfortunately, however, we do not currently offer one-day or pro-rated registration rates.
I’m a current TCG grant recipient – how do I register for the conference?
You may register online using the standard registration form (please check in with your TCG contact for requisite discount and comp codes).
I’d like to attend the Conference, but it’s not in my budget. Can I volunteer?
Information on eligibility criteria and the volunteer application process for the Conference can be found on the Volunteer page. If you meet the eligibility criteria and either live in the Miami area or are able to cover your own travel and lodging, please feel free to submit an application through that page.
I’d like to attend the Conference, but I have a kid at home. Can I bring them?
Yes! TCG runs a family-friendly Conference. Kids 11 to 17 are welcome to attend plenary sessions with an accompanying registered adult (just sign them up at Registration). TCG always offers a private place specifically designated for nursing mothers, in the hotel near the Conference program spaces. You may check in with Registration on site for information and access to the nursing space. You’re welcome to bring infants into all Conference sessions, taking reasonable care not to disturb the session.
I can no longer attend the Conference. Can TCG refund my registration?
Registration fees may be refunded for any registration canceled prior to May 1, 2019, but they will incur a $100 cancellation fee. Registration fees will not be refunded after May 31, 2019. Registrations cannot be accepted after May 31, 2019.To cancel a registration, contact us at conference@tcg.org.
What is the dress code for the Conference?
Think professional casual, but wear what makes you feel comfortable. In June, the weather in Miami usually ranges from the high 70s to the mid 80s and is typically humid. Hotel temperatures can be hard to regulate, so we urge you to consider layers! (Feel free to step it up a notch for the Opening Night party on Wednesday, June 5th!)
Will I have time during the Conference to explore Miami?
Not only do we encourage you to explore the city on your own during your time in Miami, but the Conference will feature experiential Field Trips on the morning of Wednesday, June 5th that you will be able to add to your schedule at Registration in the coming weeks (if they aren't available when you register, we'll announce when they've been added and you may log back in and add them to your registration). Our goal is that these Field Trips will give you a taste of the vibrant history and culture of our host city.
Where do I find the Conference Schedule and learn more about programming?
A basic Conference schedule will be posted soon. You can find our Agenda-At-A-Glance here. Specific sessions and speakers will be announced as they are finalized, and will be posted on our online Conference scheduling portal beginning in April (we’ll announce when that goes live!). For travel planning purposes, note that there will be two Pre-Conferences for specific cohorts on Tuesday, June 4th. The opening plenary session and programming will begin on Wednesday, June 5th, and we recommend arriving by Tuesday evening, or early Wednesday morning, for a complete TCG Conference experience.
What support does TCG offer to people with disabilities? Who can I contact regarding access?
When filling out your registration form, please indicate any access needs you may have. We will follow up with you about this information, and work to support you as best as possible. We do offer ASL interpretation for deaf participants, and our Conference spaces are ADA accessible. If you have questions, please contact Hannah Fenlon, at hfenlon@tcg.org.
I’m new to the Conference and don’t know where to start. What should I do?
Welcome! We understand that the TCG Conference can seem overwhelming to a first-time participant and we try to include as much support as possible to make your experience a rewarding and stress-free one, starting with this FAQ page. Here are some things you should consider:
1) Attend the First Timer Orientation Webinar on Thursday, May 30th.
2) Attend How We Show Up on Wednesday, June 5th.
3) Be on the lookout from an email (in late May) from a seasoned conference goer, who will provide you with personal context for your Conference experience, and can answer any specific questions you may have (if you don’t receive such an email, please contact us at conference@tcg.org).
4) Utilize the full capabilities of our Conference scheduling portal coming in early spring, and our Conference app on site.
5) Peruse our past Conference Impact Reports and our testimonial video for a real sense of what it means to attend a TCG Conference.
And you may always email us at conference@tcg.org with further questions!
I am not able to attend this year, are there other ways to participate?
Yes! We always livestream Conference plenary sessions, including keynote speakers whenever possible, and have been adding more smaller session content to the stream in recent years. Last year, we released even more live Conference content via Facebook Live. Please be on the lookout for more information on livestreaming as the Conference draws closer.