Pre-Meeting Workshops

The responsibilities of theatre administrators have grown exponentially during the last several years. Those leading theatre units/institutions are called upon to not only support and advance the work of students, faculty, and staff, but as well, to navigate the vast array of complex academic environments which exist in institutions today. The effectiveness of the theatre administrator in large part is often a function of a well-honed leadership style which is guided by a thoughtfully considered, clearly articulated, and widely shared vision. Efforts to provide clear and accurate information, engage in collaborative communication, seek consensus, and gather support, to name only a few, can be invaluable when working to advance the mission and goals of the theatre unit/institution. During today’s session, attendees will explore questions such as: How might administrators cultivate a range of leadership skills that will enable them to nimbly navigate today’s institutional environment? How might leaders work with their constituencies to develop, articulate, and embrace vision statements that guide operational and curricular aspects and initiatives related to theatre study? Attendees will consider these questions, exploring opportunities which enable them to address the always-changing conditions that exist within and beyond the institution.

While an administrator’s role involves guiding curricular development, budgeting and financial management, and operating within institutional policies, many administrators find that their already busy days can be filled with a variety of issues related to faculty—poor performance, power struggles, and resistance to moving the department forward to adapt to changing needs and expectations. This session will explore some of these issues and consider approaches and strategies for handling the many and disparate personnel-related challenges faced by theatre administrators. Attendees will discuss practical tips for creating effective and welcoming environments and promoting healthy and productive relationships among faculty. Broad conversation regarding the issues should result in an abundance of ideas, which may assist administrators to address their own specific institutional challenges. Time for open discussion will be provided.

Theatre programs are expensive to build, manage, sustain, and maintain. Financial management involves attention to a multitude of issues ranging from facilities management to resource allocation, to setting faculty compensation, to establishing and maintaining scholarships, and many others. Each issue presents its own pressure that must be considered in the budgeting process. This session will highlight common issues encountered by theatre administrators, propose suggestions for dealing with such issues, and offer guidance regarding resources which may provide useful information and helpful insight. Specific topics to be discussed include budgeting for “the knowns” and affording the unexpected, prioritizing and managing technological costs, long-range financial planning, fiscal accountability, and approaches to ensure fiscal stability.

Effective strategic planning is a critical aspect of an institution’s efforts to provide essential direction and motivation to those involved in the work of the theatre unit. Strategic planning initiatives offer to institutions opportunities to take stock in the present, the past, and the future—and given these considerations, to align their work with the missions and goals of their institutions. Such initiatives also assist theatre units to develop, articulate, and implement plans and priorities necessary to advance their work. This session will address the value of and approaches to strategic planning employed as a means for cultivating the theatre unit’s short- and long-term stability and sustainability, and as well, aligning (or re-aligning) its initiatives with institutional priorities. Although each institution must craft its own planning initiative, attendees will share practices that have resulted in successful outcomes as well as those less so. Ample time will be provided for discussion.

One of the many facets of administration is the necessity to work with upper and other administrators in various contexts and in related and nonrelated disciplines. The support provided by peers can be invaluable in assisting a theatre administrator to address the aspirations of the theatre unit. This session will address several important principles and issues associated with developing rapport with fellow administrators. Questions will be considered such as: How can the theatre administrator establish rapport with fellow administrators? What actions and activities can enhance established rapport? What role can or should other administrators play in supporting the theatre unit’s initiatives?

Participants in the Pre-Meeting Workshop for New and Aspiring Theatre Administrators in Higher Education will be joined by several seasoned administrators, offering the opportunity for informal discussion pertaining to topics explored during the workshop as well as those of interest and concern to attendees. It is recommended that administrators, both new and seasoned, continue conversations beyond this session, during, and as may be feasible, after the Annual Meeting.