What is the Conference about?

In past years we gave each National Conference a theme that we hoped captured the essence of that year's Conference experience. This year, and moving forward, our theme is the Conference host city itself. We will ground the Conference experience in the spirit of St. Louis, and take inspiration for our programming from its rich cultural and political history, civic pride, 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" and other such groups, generally organized through TCG Member Theatres. Click here for pricing and detailed registration information.

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, we will post a real-time attendee list so you can always access an up-to-date list of our registered participants. Click here for the attendee list of last year’s Conference in Portland, OR.

How can I make hotel arrangements?

The Lodging and Travel page includes all the necessary information for our hotel partner this year. Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch is offering an exclusive conference rate of $169/night (plus tax). TCG’s room block will be available until May 21, 2018 (or until sold out).

What is the cost to attend the Conference?

The cost of registration for the 2018 National Conference for TCG Members is $440 at the Early Bird rate (available through April 13, 2018 or until sold out) and $590 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, lowering the overall registration fee. Please select the meals in which you would like to participate while on site. All meals will take place at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch, St. Louis. Please note that all coffee breaks will be included with your registration. Detailed pricing can be found on the Fees & Discounts page. 

How can I pay for my Conference registration?

We accept Discover, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and payments online, or by check.

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 us at conference@tcg.org

Does TCG offer financial aid to attend the Conference?

Scholarships, which fully waive the Conference fee (but do not cover travel expenses) are available for staff members at TCG Member Theatres. The scholarship deadline is March 23rd and applicants will be notified within two weeks of that deadline.

Subsidies, which provide a 50% discount on Conference fees (but do not cover travel 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 three deadlines are as follows: March 23rd, April 27th, and May 11th. 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 a one-day registration rate.

I’m a 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 St. Louis 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 18 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 11, 2018, but they will incur a $100 cancellation fee. Registration fees will not be refunded after May 11, 2018. Registrations cannot be accepted after June 11, 2018.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 St Louis usually ranges from the low 70s to the high 80s. Hotel temperature 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 Thursday, June 14!)

Will I have time during the Conference to explore St. Louis?

Not only do we encourage you to explore the city on your own during your time in St. Louis, but we will be programming experiential Field Trips on the morning of Thursday, June 14th 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. Specific sessions and speakers will be announced as they are finalized, and will be posted on our online Conference scheduling portal beginning in March (we’ll announce when that goes live!). For travel planning purposes, note that there will be three Pre-Conferences for specific field cohorts on Wednesday, June 13th. The opening plenary session will happen on Thursday evening, June 14th, but programming starts that Thursday morning, and we recommend arriving by Wednesday evening, or early Thursday morning, for a complete TCG Conference experience.

What accommodations does TCG have for people with disabilities? Who can I contact to discuss these accommodations?

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 is 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 on Thursday, June 14th.

2) Be on the lookout from an email (in early June) 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).

3) Utilize the full capabilities of our Conference scheduling portal coming in early spring, and our Conference app on site.

4) 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.