Spring Conference 2023
Fundraising Today: Cultivating Community
March 29 - 31, 2023
Chicago, IL
Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier and Northwestern University’s Wirtz Theatre at Abbott Hall

This year’s Spring Conference returns to Chicago for an in-depth look at the state of musical theatre fundraising in 2023 and beyond. What are the challenges of the current moment? What tools are available to tell our stories and make our case to funders? How can we connect with donors over their entire lives, especially as different generations now communicate very differently? What effect is the current state of the industry at large having on development departments? How are we engaging with our community — both externally in our cities and internally in our company cultures?
As always, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to network with fellow NAMT members, meet new colleagues and reconnect with old friends, and explore Chicago and our amazing host theatres.
The Spring Conference will be a hybrid event (with special online networking opportunities and exclusive content through our app), so you can have your entire staff participate, with some in person and some in the office! Discounts are available for multiple registrations, including add-on online attendees if you’re joining us live. Click the Registration tab for details, and to register now!
Registration
Attendance Eligibility
The Spring Conference is open to NAMT members in good standing and invited guests. If you are not sure of your membership status, or are interested in attending the Conference as a way to learn more about membership, please email Member Services Director Adam Grosswirth.
Rates and Deadlines
In-person registration for the Spring Conference has closed, however you may still register to participate online through the end of the event on March 31 for $40 per person for organizational members ($55 for associate members, $75 for invited non-members). Please click below to begin your registration. You will be redirected to Webex Events to check out.
Most sessions will be recorded, and will be available after the Conference on our website to logged in NAMT members, however these recordings will not be available right away, so live attendance is encouraged!
Cancellations and other Policies
Cancellations through March 20, 2022 may be refunded less a $50 cancellation fee for in-person registrations or in full for online registrations. In-person registrations may also be converted to online and the difference in the fee refunded through March 20. Cancellations due to COVID-19 or unavoidable travel disruptions may be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Face masks not required, however as a community, we embrace the choice by friends and colleagues to wear a mask and are committed to establishing an atmosphere where masks are always welcome. If you have already registered to attend in-person and are not feeling well, or have to miss any part of the in-person event for any reason, you may attend online.
As of 3/20/23
Agenda
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 (All times CT)
5:30 - 7:30 pm | Kick-Off Cocktail Party Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier |
7:30 pm | The Comedy of Errors Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier In her final production as artistic director, Barbara Gaines revisits her signature interpretation of Shakespeare’s riotous comedy with newly rewritten scenes penned by Second City veteran Ron West. An eccentric group of stage and screen actors gather on a London movie set in 1940 to film the play as much-needed comic relief for the troops. Backstage antics and hilarious complications abound as Antipholus and Dromio search for their identical twins, lost since infancy. $35 for Conference attendees; select tickets on your registration form. (Tickets are also available for the 1:00 matinee; see the Registration tab for details.) |
Thursday, March 30, 2023 (All times CT)
8:30 - 9:45 am | Breakfast Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier |
9:45 - 10:00 am | Welcome Remarks Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier |
10:00 - 11:30 am | Panel: The State of Fundraising in 2023 Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier A skyline view from the Skyline Room of fundraising and the issues facing development staffs today. How are we handling the challenges of the moment? How can arts organizations and other non-profits take a collective approach? Moderated by Mac Ingram (Signature Theatre), with Angela Cassette (Music Theatre Wichita), Ishan Johnson (Art Institute of Chicago), Daniel Noon (Northwestern University), Sam Ostrowski (CCS Fundraising) and Courtney Simms (The Muny). |
11:45 am - 12:00 pm | A View From Our Sponsor: AudienceVIew Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Online |
12:00 - 12:30 pm | Keynote: Lisa Fielding Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier Lisa Fielding is an anchor and reporter for Newsradio 780. She brings three decades of news and sports, radio and television broadcasting experience to WBBM. A graduate of Bradley University and a multiple award-winning journalist, Lisa began her career as an intern and reporter for WEEK-TV, the NBC affiliate in Peoria, then moved on to work for WROK-WZOK radio. In 1995, it was back to television journalism as the weekend anchor for WIFR-TV in Rockford. At the same time, she did some fill-in work as one of the first female voices on Chicago’s new all-sports station “The Score”. In 1999, she moved to Madison, Wisconsin to be the main anchor and executive producer for the brand new Fox 47 News at Nine and was able to travel to the Rose Bowl and to the Final Four with the Wisconsin Badgers. Before coming to WBBM, she most recently served as main anchor of WVTV-WB 18 News at Nine in Milwaukee. She also spent seven years in minor league baseball as one of the few female public address announcers in the country and even was a contender to succeed Wayne Messmer as the public address announcer for the Chicago Cubs. She was featured in Baseball America and in several books about minor league baseball. Over the years, her work has been recognized by the Associated Press, The Chicago Headline Club, Illinois Broadcasters Association & The Radio, Television News Directors Association. She co-anchors the afternoons with Keith Johnson and is a general assignment reporter but specializes in sports, entertainment, health and human interest stories. She is also the host of the Audacy podcast “Backstage Chicago” that focuses on arts and culture. A career highlight at Newsradio was covering the Chicago Cubs on the road for the 2016 World Series in Cleveland. |
12:30 - 2:00 pm | Lunch Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier |
2:00 - 3:15 pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier Affinity Group: Seasoned Professionals (in-person only) |
3:45 - 5:00 pm | Panel: Community-Centric Fundraising Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier Community-Centric Fundraising is a fundraising model that is grounded in equity and social justice, prioritizing the entire community over individual organizations, fostering a sense of belonging and interdependence, and presenting fundraising work not as individual transactions but holistically, encouraging mutual support between nonprofits. We’ll look at this model specifically, as well as how theatres can make sure their fundraising is in line with and in service of their EDI values and goals. Moderated by Alana Roberts (NAMT), with Carlos Garcia León (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Anna Pruitt (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University), Paula Tharp (The 5th Avenue Theatre) and more to be announced. |
8:00 pm | My Kind Of Town: New Musicals From The Windy City To The World @ Mercury Theater Chicago’s Venus Cabaret Mercury Theater Chicago Chicago takes center stage in this exciting New Works Night! Join NAMT members and Festival alumni writers for a special evening of performances from one of the most inspiring hometowns for new musicals, and learn more about Chicago’s impact around the globe. $20 (includes drink ticket); select tickets on your registration form |
Friday, March 31, 2023 (All times CT)
9:00 - 10:00 am | Breakfast Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University |
10:00 - 11:15 am | Panel: Telling Our Stories: Making the Case for Musical Theatre in 2023 Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University How do we make the case for musical theatre in a time of so many other “important” causes? How do we use the tools uniquely available to us as theatre-makers to tell our story? Moderated by Eric Pugh (The Muny), with Harmony France (Firebrand Theatre), Kaitlyn Loy (Pittsburgh CLO), Molly Marinik (McCarter Theatre Center) and Evin Marie Rayford (Porchlight Music Theatre). |
11:15 - 11:30 am | A View From Our Sponsor: The 360° DonorView Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University In this spotlight lesson, we’ll show you how an all-in-one software like DonorView can help you achieve your goals and improve your supporters’ experience as well, using features like subscription and theater seating ticket sales, multiple payment options like Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay, integrated credit card swipers, CRM tracking, donation pages, and communication features like email, mail merge letters, texting, and surveys built-in to the software. |
11:30 am - 12:45 pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University Fundraising as an Integral Part of the Patron Lifecycle (in-person/hybrid tbd) |
12:45 - 2:15 pm | Lunch Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University |
2:15 - 3:15 pm | Panel: What Do Funders Want? Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University A unique opportunity to hear directly from some prominent funders about what moves them to give and what they’re looking for in the current landscape. Moderated by Betsy King Militello (NAMT) with Geoffrey Banks (The MacArthur Foundation), Miah Michaelsen (Indiana Arts Commission), Greg Reiner (National Endowment for the Arts), Emily Sproch (Howard Gilman Foundation) and Melanie Wang (City of Chicago). |
3:30 - 4:30 pm | Panel: Now What? Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University Members of our Spring Conference Committee will lead participants in a final discussion of next steps. What about this Conference excites and scares you? What’s your plan for the next six months? Where do you think we’re headed between now and the next time we gather? Led by Martha Bangiola (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Kerrie Brinkman-White (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), Charlie Fraser (Zach Theatre), Mac Ingram (Signature Theatre) and Courtney Simms (The Muny). |
4:30 - 4:45 pm | Closing Remarks Abbot Hall, Chicago Campus of Northwestern University |
6:30 pm | 360 Chicago Sip + View The John Hancock Center Observatory Toast the conclusion of the Spring Conference at sunset 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile. Following a walk-through exhibition celebrating Chicago’s history, we’ll ride to the 94th floor for breathtaking 360-degree views of Chicago’s dazzling skyline and majestic lakefront from the 17,000-square foot observation deck and the CloudBar. $35 (includes drink); select ticket when you register |
As of 3/20/23. Subject to change!
Hotels & Accommodations
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
163 East Walton Place
Chicago, IL
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago is the epitome of classic Chicago style, located near Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago – a famous stretch that’s home to over 400 retailers and high-end shops. Established in 1927, this historic hotel in Chicago has had many identities, including a Penthouse casino and speakeasy once run by the Capone family. You’ll find markers of this iconic history all around the hotel as the old world meets the new. One of the most timeless aspects of the hotel is our commitment to our guests – you can expect 4-star service at every moment of your stay.
Our discounted conference rate at the Millennium Knickerbocker expired on March 10. You may still use the link below to book the hotel at standard available rates, or email us for assistance.
Conference Locations
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel to Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Walking directions via Google Maps
Directions and parking info on Chicago Shakes’ website
To walk: Make a right out of the hotel on Walton Pl. Walk to Lakeshore Dr. and make another right. At Ohio Street, you’ll see some stairs on your right. Take these to an underpass under the Drive. (There are also ramps available on both sides.) Follow the path through the park towards the right and Navy Pier. Either walk to the right of the building, or through it, until you reach Chicago Shakespeare Theater. (Note that Apple Maps puts the Knickerbocker Hotel on Delaware Street when giving directions for some reason. It’s on Walton Place!)
By transit: Make a right out of the hotel on Walton Pl. and then another right onto N Mies Van Der Rohe Way. After 3 blocks, cross E. Chicago Ave and go to the bus stop on your right. Take the 66 Bus to Navy Pier and walk to Chicago Shakes as above. (Bus fare is $2.25 and can be paid on board with cash, a CTA Ventra Card, or Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.)
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel to Abbott Hall
Walking directions via Google Maps
To walk: Make a right out of the hotel on Walton Pl. Walk to Lakeshore Dr. and make another right. At Superior Street, make a right and you’ll see the side entrance to the building!
Attendees
Nancy Gibbs
General Manager/Producer
In Person
Neal Herr
Writer
Online
Jon Faris
Director
In Person
Meg Friedman
Consultant & Knowledge Manager
In Person
Daniel Noon
Director of Development Alumni Relations
In Person
Brannon Bowers
Producing Director
In Person
Tanya Palmer
Executive Artistic Director - School of Communication
In Person
Pete Brace
Marketing/Communications Manager
In Person
Nick Ronan
Senior Director, Business Development
In Person
Chris Rambo
In Person
Rosemary Maggiore
VP, Sales
In Person
Kirk Maile
Support Team Lead
In Person
Stefan Prescott
Senior Sales Director, Arts & Culture
In Person
Anish Chakravorty
Senior Director, Arts & Culture
In Person
John Geertsen
Complex General Manager
Online
Katie Pelkey
Managing Director
In Person
Anthony Rodriguez
Artistic Director Emeritus
In Person
Lauren Weber
Senior Lecturer Musical Theatre
Online
Paul Larson
President
In Person
Kyle Steigerwald
Vice President
In Person
Alexander Tobias
Break-Away Tours
In Person
Barry Tobias
Break-Away Tours
In Person
Willis Allen
Past Executive Director - Pioneer Center
In Person
Aaron Thielen
Co-Founder
Online
Colleen McCormack
Director of Professional Play Licensing
In Person
Sara Skolnick
VP, Production
In Person
Holly Richards
Development Manager
In Person
Marsha S Brooks
Partner
Online
Kevin Hill
Owner
Online
Shira Green
Director of Business Development
In Person
Elisabeth Long Edwards
Director
In Person
Aislinn Frantz
Associate Producer
In Person
Martha Bangiola
Associate Director of Development
In Person
Carlos García León
Individual Giving Manager
In Person
Rick Boynton
Creative Producer
In Person
Bill Gaden
President
In Person
Theresa Posorske
Director, Professional Licensing
In Person
Michelle Yaroshko
Senior Vice President, Professional Licensing (North America)
In Person
John Armstrong
Development Director
In Person
Kimberly Perron
Customer Success Instructor
In Person
Alaina Calloway Bolton
Customer Success Liaison
In Person
LaMae Weber
CEO
Jason Kovacs
Head of Theater Partnerships
In Person
Harmony France
Artistic Director
In Person
Soren Moller
Creative Producer / Artistic Director
In Person
David Mai
Development & Membership Associate
In Person
Frank Stilwagner
Director of Development
In Person
Donna Lynn Hilton
Artistic Director
In Person
Gloria Gorton
Director of Major & Planned Gifts
In Person
Mary Miko
Special Events & Corporate Relations
In Person
Emily Sproch
Program Officer
In Person
Jeff Danovsky
Director of Sales and Marketing
In Person
Kelsi Rakevet
Director of Operations
In Person
Caroline Abraham
Interior Designer
In Person
Jenny Hester
Marketing Director
In Person
Ashley Wells
Executive Producer
Online
Michael Bratcher-Magallanez
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
In Person
Jim Reynolds
Managing Director
In Person
Michael Baron
Producing Artistic Director
In Person
Mia Sherlock
Development – Special Projects
In Person
Kerrie Brinkman-White
Director of Development
In Person
Curt Dale Clark
Artistic Director
In Person
Ally Collins
Assistant Development Director
In Person
Stephanie Dupal
Managing Director
In Person
Morgan Rodgers
Development Director
In Person
Shelby Siwczak
Manager of Individual Giving and Special Events
Online
Piper Burrows
Director of Development
Online
Molly Marinik
Director of Grants and Development Communications
In Person
Tom McCoy
Executive Producer
In Person
Matthew Boethin
Professional Licensing Director, N. America
In Person
Richard Patterson
International Licensing Director
In Person
Angela Cassette
Managing Director
In Person
Bren Thor
Associate Producer
Online
Yadira Del Rincon
Donor Relations & Special Events
Online
Brice Cordon
Marketing Director
Online
Paul Garman
Executive Director/Producer
In Person
Douglas Senecal
General Manager
In Person
Tad Fujioka
Assistant Box Office Manager & Marketing Associate
Online
NELL MOHN
Director of Strategic Development
Online
Frankie Dailey
New Works Director
In Person
Emily Vortherms
Operations and Communications Associate
In Person
Adam Grosswirth
Member Services Director
In Person
Skye Cone Ivey
Program Assistant
In Person
Betsy Militello
Executive Director
In Person
Alana Roberts
Development Manager
In Person
Deborah Warren
Managing Director
In Person
Taylor Dickinson
Research and Grants Associate
In Person
Brad Kenney
Executive Artistic Director
In Person
Brooke Baerman
Manager of Campaign and Special Projects
In Person
Rachel Prest
Manager of Individual Giving & Donor Engagement
In Person
Michael Mercier
Deputy Director of Advancement
Online
Leah Dixon
Director of Individual Giving
In Person
Adrienne Feiger
Director of Major Gifts
Online
Olivia Broderick Broderick
Manager of Institutional Giving
Online
Nathan Schultz
Director of Development
Online
Jessica Pasquariello
Associate Director of Development
Online
Melissa Goodfriend
Development Data Coordinator
Online
Mark Fleischer
Executive Producer
In Person
Kate Loy
Manager of Institutional Giving
In Person
Wynne Fedele
Director of Development
In Person
Shirley Gaudette
Manager of Individual Giving
Online
Lydia Grimenstein
Development Coordinator
Online
Dayna Sowers
Board Liaison
Online
Colleen Doyno
Executive Director
In Person
Allison Hannon
Development Director
Online
Evin Marie Rayford
Development Director
In Person
Jeannie Lukow
Executive Director
In Person
Kim Bourn
Director of Development
In Person
Drew Francis
Director of Operations
In Person
Jennifer Jaquess
Managing Director
In Person
Mary Jane Avans
Vice President, Business Development
In Person
Alexandra Yanofsky
Director of Development
Online
Sharon Fallon
Producer/General Manager
In Person
Mac Ingram
Director of Development
In Person
Holden Wertheimer-Meier
Account Executive
In Person
Samantha Bagwell
Global Fundraising Lead
In Person
Wendy Gillespie
President & CEO
In Person
Jill Big Eagle
Assistant Director of Philanthropy
Online
Neen Williams-Teramachi
Associate Director of New Works
In Person
Paula Tharp
Director of Philanthropy
Online
Bill Berry
Producing Artistic Director
In Person
Kate Speck
Senior Individual Giving Manager
Online
Christine Johnson
Associate Director of Philanthropy
Online
Shannon McQueary
Events Manager
Online
Kwofe Coleman
President & CEO
In Person
Courtney Simms
Director of Advancement
In Person
Eric Pugh
Director of Marketing
In Person
Nicole LaFlair Nieves
General Manager
Online
Erica Tracy Sullivan
Development & Community Engagement Associate
Online
Dina Silva
Director of Development
Online
Kathleen Blute
Development Associate
Online
Hillary Hart
Executive Director
In Person
Melissa Jurik
Director of Development
In Person
Breanna Carrier
Major Gifts Officer
Online
Emily Manck White
Annual Fund Manager
Online
Chris Brislin
General Manager-Production
Online
Alex Olsen
Events Manager
In Person
Peter McKown
Board Member
In Person
Brian Feldman
Client Development Executive
In Person
Bill Watson-Canning
VP, Software Products
In Person
Jennifer Hunter
Artistic Director and Professor of Theatre
In Person
Aileen Forde
Institutional & Major Gifts
Online
Tracie Mahadeo
Annual Fund & Stewardship Manager
Online
Tina Davis
Annual Fund & Stewardship Manager
Online
Laura Lee
Managing Director
In Person
Danielle Franich
Director of Development
In Person
Susanna Gellert
Executive Artistic Director
Online
Gwen Maiella
Development Manager
Online
Emily Schriebl
Director of Development
Online
Lauren Stevens
Producer/Managing Partner
In Person
Charlie Frasier
Chief Development Officer
In Person
Hunter Regian
Campaign and Events Manager
Online
Jamie Herlich
Managing Director
In Person
Jacqueline Blanchard
Individual Giving Manager
Online
Wallis Dean
Individual Giving Associate
Online
In Person
In Person
Composer
Online
Online
In Person
Guidelines
Participation Guidelines
NAMT is committed to recognizing and celebrating the diversity of experiences, talents, skills, cultures and opinions that our members bring to our community, and specifically to our events. We invite you to participate in all of our Conferences, Roundtables, Festivals and other events, both online and in-person, in a spirit of open-mindedness, curiosity and respect.
We want every NAMT event to be a safe, inclusive and productive environment for all participants. In that spirit, we ask you to…
- Be inclusive, actively seeking and inviting diverse perspectives
- Recognize that some people are comfortable responding quickly and verbally and others are not, and create space for those who may need more time to be heard
- Listen to understand
- Participate in an active and direct way, with professionalism and respect for others
- Be considerate, kind, constructive and helpful in your language and actions
- Use “I” statements and avoid generalizations
- Assume good intentions but acknowledge impact
- Ask questions if something isn’t clear, and receive both questions and answers with openness and generosity
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior and language
- Respect confidentiality requests by speakers and other participants
We may take action (up to and including expulsion with no refund and exclusion from future events) to redress disruptive, disrespectful or offensive behavior or any other actions perceived by NAMT staff and/or Board to be in conflict with the above guidelines.
We know that learning and working together can produce both joy and conflict. We recognize that to learn is to stumble, and we are striving to provide a space for risk, creativity, respect, appreciation, growth and collaboration. When addressing conflicts of any type, we commit to these Participation Guidelines.
Thank you to every NAMT community member for helping to make all of our events informative, inclusive and respectful.