Sat: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Sun: 9:00AM - 11:30AM (Networking Coffee Sponsored by The Pekoe Group from 11:30AM - 12:30PM)
The Commercial Theater Institute (CTI), in partnership with The Broadway League and TDF (Theatre Development Fund) will host the 2025 3 Day Intensive this fall from November 7 – 9, 2025.
This foundational program consists of seminars and panels led by leading industry professionals, covering essential topics, including the vocabulary of commercial theatre, how to understand a commercial offering and an overview of theatre marketing. This program is designed for early-career and aspiring producers, co-producers, managers, investors looking to develop their understanding of the commercial theater business and build meaningful industry connections.
In addition to the panels and seminars, the weekend will also include both a networking cocktail event and coffee networking event, allowing participants to connect with fellow attendees.
Early Bird Registration: $550 (ends October 1, 2025)
Regular Registration: $600 (from October 1, 2025)
A detailed agenda will be released on October 1 when Regular Registration opens
The CTI 3 Day Intensive is proudly supported by our sponsors, The Nederlander Organization and The Pekoe Group at the Partner level, The Araca Group, Galbraith and Co, The John Gore Organization, and Loeb & Loeb at the Supporter level, AKA, and Situation Interactive at the Friend Level.
(The agenda and speakers remain subject to change)
Friday, November 7
8:30am – 9:00am Registration/Coffee
9:00am – 9:15am Welcome Remarks
Victoria Bailey, Professor, Columbia School of the Arts
Sue Frost, Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Deeksha Gaur, Executive Director, TDF
Jason Laks, President, The Broadway League
Kristin Caskey, Chair of The Broadway League
9:15am – 10:00am Why We Produce
David Stone, Producer
10:00am – 11:00am An Interview with Thomas Schumacher
David Stone (Interviewer), Producer
Thomas Schumacher
11:00am – 11:30am Break
11:30am – 12:30pm Vocab Session 1: Commercial Theatre Landscape
Victoria Bailey (Moderator), Professor, Columbia School of the Arts
Sue Frost (Moderator), Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Carol M Kaplan, Co-Chair, Theater & Live Entertainment, Loeb & Loeb
Danielle Karliner Naish, Partner, RCI Theatricals
Christina Selby, Vice President Production and Touring, The Nederlander Producing Company
12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch on your own
1:30pm – 2:30pm Vocab Session 2: The Language of Development and Production
Victoria Bailey (Moderator), Professor, Columbia School of the Arts
Sue Frost (Moderator), Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Zachary Baer, Executive Producer, Wagner Johnson Productions
Miranda Gohh, Producer
Dylan Pager, Vice President, Artistic, No Guarantees
Lauren Tucker, Partner/GM, Alchemy Production Group
2:30pm – 3:15pm 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.
Devon Miller (Moderator), Associate General Manager, Foresight Theatrical
Jason Baruch, Owner, Sendroff & Baruch LLP
Robert Fried, Partner, WithumSmith + Brown
Carl Pasbjerg, Managing Partner, Alchemy Production Group
3:15pm – 3:30pm Break
3:30pm – 4:30pm 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.
Devon Miller (Moderator), Associate General Manager, Foresight Theatrical
Jason Baruch, Owner, Sendroff & Baruch LLP
Robert Fried, Partner, WithumSmith + Brown
Carl Pasbjerg, Managing Partner, Alchemy Production Group
4:30pm – 5:00pm Q & A Session
5:00pm – 6:00pm Networking Event Sponsored by The Nederlander Organization
Bar Petra, Studio Seaview
Saturday, November 8
9:00am – 9:45am Vocab Session: Co-Producers and Investors
This vocab session covers key concepts related to co-producers and investors, including how profit participation works, kickers, financial waterfall, and how co-producers earn returns on their investments.
Steven Chaikelson, Professor, Columbia School of the Arts
9:45am – 10:45am Building a Co-Producer Team
A panel of lead producers explain how they form strong producer and co-producer partnerships by identifying the right collaborators.
Jovan Kala Hannah (Moderator), General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
Jillian Robbins, Producer, WJP
Rashad V Chambers, President, Esquire Entertainment
Barbara Whitman, Producer
10:45am – 11:00am Break
11:00am – 12:00pm Getting the Money Together: Raising Money and Cultivating Investors
Listen to producers speak about how they begin to identify, approach and cultivate their relationships with investors and co-producers.
Cynthia J. Tong (Moderator), Producer, Tom Kirdahy Productions
Aaron Glick, Producer
Matthew Rego, CEO, The Araca Group
Jamila Ponton Bragg, Producer
12:00pm – 1:00pm Commercial Off Broadway
A discussion about the evolution of the Commercial Off Broadway model.
Sue Frost (Moderator), Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions
Greg Nobile, Chief Executive Officer, Seaview
Evan Bernardin, CEO, Evan Bernardin Productions
Sunday, November 9
9:00am – 9:45am Broadway Marketing Today
Broadway Marketing professionals discuss how marketing has changed for Broadway, and how agencies have adapted strategies and content.
Amy Marie (Yes) Haven (Moderator), Creative Executive, NBCUniversal
Ali Bloomston, Group Account Director, AKA
Rian Durham, Vice President of Accounts, Situation Interactive
Ryan Zatcoff, President, The Season
9:45am – 10:30am Marketing Case Study: Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)
The team behind Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) break down the marketing campaign behind the show.
Amanda Pekoe, Owner/CEO, The Pekoe Group
Jenny Dorso, Vice President of Marketing Strategy, The Pekoe Group
Connor Santos, Director of Social Media, The Pekoe Group
Kiernan Matts, Director of Partnerships and Promotions, The Pekoe Group
Toby Richkind, Director of Digital Strategy, The Pekoe Group
10:30am – 10:45am Break
10:45am – 11:30am Closing Session
Kevin McCollum, Producer
11:30am – 12:30pm Coffee Networking Hour Sponsored by The Pekoe Group
Bar Petra, Studio Seaview
