Sat: 9:00AM - 1:15PM (Networking Lunch until 3:00PM)
Sun: 10:15AM - 1:45PM
Coming out of a four-year hiatus, the Commercial Theatre Institute in partnership with The Broadway League and (TDF) Theatre Development Fund returns this November with its Three-Day Intensive. Building on four decades of commercial theater producing education, CTI provides necessary foundational literacy around the business of commercial theatre producing.
At the 2024 Three-Day Intensive, presentations and panel discussions will be led by some of Broadway’s most acclaimed producers, general managers, entertainment attorneys, accountants, marketing and advertising executives, and press representatives. The Three-Day Intensive is intended for early career producers, investors, and co-producers looking to deepen their knowledge of commercial theatre business practices and to expand their network.
Sessions will cover the skills and knowledge needed to understand commercial production, including different roles in the industry, producing models/structures, creative strategies, budgets, marketing approaches, and more. Case Study sessions on Broadway shows will be led by the very professionals working on that show, offering special insight into their experience. The Three-Day Intensive will build practical knowledge and understanding for those intending to build their producing portfolio.
CTI’s Three-Day Intensive will also include an evening networking cocktail event.
Day One
8:30am – 9:00am Registration/Coffee
9:00am – 9:15am Welcome Remarks
9:15am – 9:30am Keynote Address
Kristin Caskey, EVP Content and Creative, ATG Entertainment
9:30am – 10:30am Who’s Who in the Commercial Theatre
A vocabulary session that explains the responsibilities and roles of key positions in commercial producing.
Erica Lynn Schwartz (Moderator), Content & Creative, ATG Entertainment
Maggie Brohn, Chief Operating Officer, Adventureland
Tamar Climan, Producer, Climan Producing
Aaron Lustbader, Partner/Executive Producer/GM, Foresight Theatrical
10:30am – 10:45am Break
10:45am – 11:45am The Language of Development and Production
A vocabulary session that explains the different paths of theatrical development and production.
Cynthia J. Tong (Moderator), Senior Associate Producer, Tom Kirdahy Productions
Randy Adams, Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Amy Jacobs, Partner, Bespoke Theatricals
Eva Price, Founder, Maximum Entertainment Productions
11:45am – 12:45pm A Producer’s Aesthetic
Hear from different creative producers on why they picked a show, and how they chose to develop and produce it.
Blaire Townshend (Moderator), Asst. Director of Membership Services & Professional Development, The Broadway League
Clint Ramos, Here Lies Love/NYCC Encores!
Matt Ross, Producer, Stairwell Productions
Barbara Whitman, Founder, Barbara Whitman Productions
LaChanze, Producer, LaChanze Productions
12:45pm – 1:45pm Lunch on your own
1:45pm – 2:45pm From Artist to Producer
Producers who were formerly creative artists explain how their artistic background aids them, and why they made the career switch.
Natalie Gershtein (Moderator), Pipeline Theatre Company/Junkyard Dog Productions
Adam Hyndman, Associate Producer, Octopus Theatricals
Rob Laqui, The Industry Standard Group/ No Guarantees
Larry Lelli, Lelli-Pop Productions
Paige Price, Paige Price Productions
2:45pm – 3:30pm Producing Behind the Scenes: Money, Budgets, Contracts Pt. 1
The first part of this two-part session is an explanation of the role and function of a general manager, accountant and lawyer in the production process.
Jovan Kala Hannah (Moderator), Associate General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
Jason Baruch, Owner, Sendroff & Baruch LLP
Robert Fried, Partner, WithumSmith + Brown
Carl Pasbjerg, Partner, Alchemy Production Group
3:30pm – 3:45pm Break
3:45pm – 4:45pm Producing Behind the Scenes: Money, Budgets, Contracts Pt. 2
The second part of this two-part session is a deep dive into general management, accounting and legal terms and concepts.
Jovan Kala Hannah (Moderator), Associate General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
Jason Baruch, Owner, Sendroff & Baruch LLP
Robert Fried, Partner, WithumSmith + Brown
Carl Pasbjerg, Partner, Alchemy Production Group
4:45pm – 5:30pm Case Study: SUFFS – The Path to Broadway
Hear from the producing and creative team of the Broadway musical SUFFS on how they developed the show for Broadway.
Narda E. Alcorn, Cultural Facilitator, SUFFS
Jill Furman, Producer, Jill Furman Productions
Mayte Natalio, Choreographer, SUFFS
Rachel Sussman, Producer, Soto Productions
Day Two
8:30am – 9:00am Registration/Coffee
9:00am – 9:45am Case Study: Goddess – The Passage of Development and Production
Hear from the team behind the musical Goddess, which will premiere in 2025 at The Public Theater, on how they develop a new musical.
Amy Marie Haven (Yes) (Moderator), Creative Executive, Universal Theatrical Group
Mara Isaacs, Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Octopus Theatricals
Rachel Kaufman, General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
9:45am – 10:30am Inviting Partners to the Table: Assembling a Co-Producer Team
A panel of lead producers explain how they assemble a team of co-producers that reflects the values and message of the show.
Heather Shields (Moderator), Founder, CitySalt Theatricals
Jennifer Costello, Producer, Big Red Barn Productions
Tom Kirdahy, President, Tom Kirdahy Productions
Sammy Lopez, Co-Founder and Producer, P3 Productions
10:30am – 10:45am Break
10:45am – 11:30am Enhancing Your Partnership: Co-Producer Perspective
Listen to co-producers speak about how they have brought partnerships and opportunities to their productions, and what makes them feel valued by the lead producer.
Miranda Gohh (Moderator), Theatre Producers of Color / Bosner Productions
Debra Martin Chase, Martin Chase Productions
Brian Spector, Founder, Keaka Productions
George Strus (they/them)
11:30am – 12:30pm Case Study: The Outsiders – Making the Most of a Commercial and Not-For-Profit Partnership
Key members of the Broadway musical The Outsiders will explain how institutional relationships enhanced and benefited the show on its road to Broadway.
Victoria Bailey (Moderator), Asst. Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia University
Clint Bond Jr., on the RIALTO
Matthew Rego, Partner, The Araca Group
Diana Salameh, VP Brand Integration, Serino Coyne
12:30pm – 1:15pm Finding the Money: Cultivating Investors
A panel of lead producers explain how they cultivate and maintain their investor network.
Ben Holtzman (Moderator), Co-Founder and Producer, P3 Productions
Mike Bosner, Founder, Bosner Productions
Greg Nobile, Chief Executive Officer, Seaview
Alecia Parker, Executive Producer, NAMCO
1:30pm – 3:00pm Networking Lunch
Hurley’s Saloon
232 West 48th Street, 3rd Floor (between Bway and 8 Ave)
Day Three
10:00am – 10:15am Registration/Coffee
10:15am – 10:30am Welcome Remarks
10:30am – 11:30am Marketing Case Study: Death Becomes Her
The marketing team from the Broadway musical Death Becomes Her will explain how they work together to create a cohesive campaign around an established brand.
Sue Frost (Moderator), Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Avery Brunkus, Content Director, RPM
Michele Groner, Founder, Brand Nexus
Matt Polk, Founder and President, Polk & Co
Nick Pramik, Managing Partner, RPM
11:30am – 12:45am Marketing to New Audiences
A panel of marketing experts explain how they employ marketing strategies to grow new audiences.
Deeksha Gaur (Moderator), Executive Director, TDF
Adriana Aristizabal, Founder and CEO, iVoice Agency
Jenny Dorso, VP of Marketing Strategy, The Pekoe Group
Aalithya Stevens, Founder, Ashe Collective
12:45pm – 1:30pm Q&A Session
1:30pm – 1:45pm Closing Remarks
Panelists
Randy Adams, Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Narda Alcorn, Cultural Facilitator, Suffs
Adriana Aristizabal, Founder and CEO, iVoice Agency
Victoria Bailey, Asst. Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia University
Jason Baruch, Owner, Sendroff & Baruch LLP
Clint Bond Jr., Owner, on the RIALTO
Mike Bosner, Founder, Bosner Productions
Maggie Brohn, Chief Operating Officer, Adventureland
Avery Brunkus, Content Director, RPM
Kristin Caskey, Executive Vice President, Content and Creative, ATG Entertainment
Debra Martin Chase, Martin Chase Productions
Tamar Climan, Producer, Climan Producing
Jennifer Costello, Big Red Barn Productions
Jenny Dorso, VP of Marketing Strategy, The Pekoe Group
Robert Fried, Partner, WithumSmith + Brown
Sue Frost, Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Jill Furman, Jill Furman Productions
Deeksha Gaur, Executive Director, TDF (Theatre Development Fund)
Natalie Gershtein, Pipeline Theatre Company/Junkyard Dog Productions
Miranda Gohh, Theatre Producers of Color/ Bosner Productions
Michele Groner, Founder, Brand Nexus
Jovan Kala Hannah, Associate General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
Amy-Marie Haven (Yes), Creative, Universal Theatrical Group
Ben Holtzman, Co-Founder and Producer, P3 Productions
Adam Hyndman, Associate Producer, Octopus Theatricals
Mara Isaacs, Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Octopus Theatricals
Amy Jacobs, Partner, Bespoke Theatricals
Rachel Kaufman, General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
Tom Kirdahy, President, Tom Kirdahy Productions
Jason Laks, Interim President, The Broadway League
Rob Laqui, Associate Producer, The Industry Standard Group / No Guarantees
Larry Lelli, Lelli-Pop Productions
Sammy Lopez, Co-Founder and Producer, P3 Productions
Aaron Lustbader, Partner/Executive Producer/GM, Foresight Theatrical
Greg Nobile, CEO, Seaview
Alecia Parker, Executive Producer, NAMCO
Carl Pasbjerg, Managing Partner, Alchemy Production Group
Matt Polk, Founder and President, Polk & Co
Nick Pramik, Managing Partner, RPM
Paige Price, Paige Price Productions
Clint Ramos, Here Lies Love/NYCC Encores
Matthew Rego, Partner, The Araca Group
Matt Ross, Producer, Stairwell Productions
Diana Salameh, VP Brand Integration, Serino Coyne
LaChanze, Producer, LaChanze Productions
Erica Lynn Schwartz, Content & Creative, ATG Entertainment
Heather Shields, CitySalt Theatricals
Brian Spector, Founder, Keaka Productions
Aaliytha Stevens, Founder, Ashe Collective
George Strus (they/them)
Rachel Sussman, Soto Productions
Blaire Townshend, Asst. Director of Membership Services & Professional Development, The Broadway League
Cynthia Tong, Senior Associate Producer, Tom Kirdahy Productions
Barbara Whitman, Founder, Barbara Whitman Productions
