STUDIO SEAVIEW: 305 W 43rd St, NY NY 10036
Sat: 9:00am - 4:30pm ( Networking Event from 4:30pm - 5:30pm)
Morning - STUDIO SEAVIEW: 305 W 43rd St, NY NY 10036
Afternoon - THE THEATER CENTER: 210 West 50th
Sun: 9:00am - 12:30pm
The Commercial Theater Institute (CTI), in partnership with The Broadway League and TDF (Theatre Development Fund) will host the 2026 3 Day Intensive this fall from October 23 – 25, 2026.
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 and all theater professionals 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 networking cocktail and coffee events, allowing participants to connect with fellow attendees.
Early Bird Registration: $600 (ends October 2, 2026) PASSED
Regular Registration: $650 (from October 2, 2026)
There are special rates for Broadway League Fellows, Rising Stars, CTI Alums and Theater Students.
The CTI 3 Day Intensive is tremendous grateful for our sponsors The Pekoe Group, The Nederlander Organization, The Shubert Organization, AKA, The Araca Group, Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, Sendroff & Baruch, LLP, Galbraith + Co. Serino Coyne and Situation. Also, tremendous thanks to Studio Seaview, The Theater Center and Creative Goods.
Enrollment Form
Early bird registration: $600 (through October 2, 2026) PASSED
Regular registration: $650
There are special rates for Broadway League Fellows, Rising Stars, CTI Alums and Theater Students.
We have a limited number of discounted tickets available. If cost is a barrier preventing you from access, please contact info@commercialtheaterinstitute.com for more information.
Directory Inclusion:
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Participant Information
Please list your contact information if you would like to be added to the participant directory available to all participants.
(Additional speakers to be added. Agenda and speakers remain subject to change)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
8:30am – 9:00am Registration/Coffee
9:00am – 9:15am Welcome Remarks
Kristin Caskey, Chair of the Board, The Broadway League
Deeksha Gaur, Executive Director, TDF (Theatre Development Fund)
Jason Laks, President, The Broadway League
Dori Berinstein, Executive Director, CTI
9:15am – 10:00am Why We Produce
David Stone, Producer
10:00am – 11:00am Commercial Theatre Landscape
Dori Berinstein, CTI, Exec Director, Producer (Moderator)
Tom Kirdahy Producer, President – Tom Kirdahy Productions
Greg Nobile Chief Executive Officer, Seaview
Matthew Rego, CEO, The Araca Group
Christina Selby, Vice President Production and Touring, The Nederlander Producing Company
11:00am – 11:15am Break
11:15am – 11:30am Q&A / Information
11:30am – 12:30pm Launching a Commercial Production
Exploring different paths for commercial development and production.
Mark Kaufman, Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures
Sammy Lopez, Co-Founder, Producer at P3 Productions, Co-Founder of the Industry Standard Group
Rachel Sussman, Producer and Co-Founder of the Business of Broadway
12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch on your own
1:30pm – 2:45pm Producing: Money, Budgets, Contracts
The role and function of the General Manager, Accountant and Lawyer in the production process.
Jason Baruch, Owner, Sendroff & Baruch, LLP
Mark D’Ambrosi Managing Director, CBiz
Jovan Kala Hannah, General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
David Richards, Co-Founder & General Manager, RCI Theatricals, Inc
Jillian Robbins, Principal, Wagner Johnson Productions (Moderator)
2:45pm – 3:45pm Building a Team
A panel of producers explain how they identify the right collaborators to form strong producer/creative team partnerships
Aaron Glick Producer
Mara Isaacs, Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Octopus Theatricals
Hal Luftig, Producer, President Hal Luftig Productions
4:00pm – 5:00pm CTI Networking Event
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2026
8:30am – 9:00am Coffee – Studio Seaview (43rd & 8th)
9:00am – 10:00am Investor Relations & Raising Financing
How producers begin to identify, approach and cultivate their relationships with investors and co-producers.
Jamila Ponton Bragg, Producer
Miranda Gohh, Producer & Founder of Theater Producers of Color (TPOC), Bosner Productions
Valerie Britten, Head of Capital Partnerships at Seaview
Jillian Robbins, Principal Wagner Johnson Productions (Moderator)
Heather Shields, Producer, General Manger, Co-Founder of the Business of Broadway
10:00am – 11:00am Nuts & Bolts of Profit Participation
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
11:00am – 11:15am Break
11:15am – 12:15pm Commercial Off-Broadway
Development and producing Commercial Theater Off-Broadway
Cynthia Tong, Vice President, Artistic, No Guarantees (Moderator)
Robert Ahrens Producer, General Manager, Live Wire Theatricals
Nathan Gehan, General Manager, Founder & CEO, ShowTown Theatricals
12:15pm – 1:15pm Lunch on your own
1:15pm – 1:30pm The Pekoe Group Presentation
1:30pm – 2:30pm Beyond Broadway
Exploring life for shows beyond Broadway; including International, Touring & Licensing.
DJ Martin, Founding Partner, Bond Theatrical
Marcia Goldberg, General Manager/Founding Partner 321 Management
Alecia Parker, Executive Producer
Richard Patterson, MTI, Vice President of Professional Licensing
2:30pm – 3:30pm OH, MARY! Deep Dive
The Team behind OH, MARY! takes behind-the-curtain to learn how this beloved show made its way to Broadway.
Carlee Briglia, Producer
Mike Levoie, Producer
Kevin McCollum, Producer
Lucas McMahon, Producer
Amanda Marie Miller, Theatrical Press Agent
Austin Spero, Social Media Director
3:30pm – 4:30pm UNRAVELING PRODUCING
An alternative take on how to produce Broadway Shows.
Kevin McCollum, Producer
4:30pm – 5:30pm Networking Reception
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026
8:30am – 9:00am Coffee
9:00am – 9:45am In Conversation: The Broadway League
The Current and Incoming Chair discuss their careers and The Broadway League.
Kristin Caskey Chair, The Broadway League and Executive Vice President, Content and Creative, ATG Entertainment
Sue Frost, Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions and Incoming Chair, The Broadway League
9:45am – 11am The State of Marketing
The CEO’s of Broadway Marketing Agencies discuss the state of marking, advertising and digital on Broadway
Damian Bazadona, President, Situation
Liz Furze, CEO & Founding Partner AKA
Tom Greenwald, Co-Founder Spotco
Amanda Pekoe, President, The Pekoe Group
11am – 11:45am Marketing To New Audiences
A panel of Marketing experts explain how they employ marketing strategies to grow new audiences.
Deeksha Gaur, Executive Director, TDF (Theatre Development Fund)
Nela Vera, TDF Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Jenny Dorso, The Pekoe Group
Catherine Hunt, City Center
11:45am – 12:15am Q & A / Closing Remarks
