Theme:
What Sustains Us:
Directing Beyond the Industry’s Limits, Cultivating a Joyful Practice
Dates:
November 1–2 & 8–9, 2025
(Hybrid: Virtual + In-Person in Philadelphia)
Across two weekends in November, directors will gather virtually and in Philadelphia to reflect, share, and reimagine how we build a sustainable and joyful future in the theatre.
📺Watch the recording on HowlRound TV!
What Sustains Us:
Directing Beyond the Industry’s Limits, Cultivating a Joyful Practice
Dates:
November 1–2 & 8–9, 2025
(Hybrid: Virtual + In-Person in Philadelphia)
Across two weekends in November, directors will gather virtually and in Philadelphia to reflect, share, and reimagine how we build a sustainable and joyful future in the theatre.
📺Watch the recording on HowlRound TV!
Pay It Forward Ticket - 2025 (DG) Convening
Purchase a ticket that will help cover registration for a director who would otherwise be unable to attend the 2025 (DG) Convening.
Please note: This ticket purchase is a generous gesture of community support but not a tax-deductible donation, as it directly funds a participant’s registration.
If you would prefer to make a tax-deductible donation to support (DG)’s mission and future programs, please visit directorsgathering.org/donate.
If you have a specific director in mind, you can enter their name and contact information at checkout. If not, we’ll assign the ticket to a director who has requested financial assistance.
Please note: This ticket purchase is a generous gesture of community support but not a tax-deductible donation, as it directly funds a participant’s registration.
If you would prefer to make a tax-deductible donation to support (DG)’s mission and future programs, please visit directorsgathering.org/donate.
If you have a specific director in mind, you can enter their name and contact information at checkout. If not, we’ll assign the ticket to a director who has requested financial assistance.
Learn about James Ijames
James Ijames (He/Him)
jamesijames.com
JAMES IJAMES is a Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award nominated playwright, a director and educator.
James’ plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Azuka Theatre (Philadelphia, PA), The National Black Theatre, JACK, The Public Theater (NYC), Hudson Valley Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Definition Theatre, Timeline Theater (Chicago IL) Shotgun Players (Berkeley, CA) and have received development with PlayPenn New Play Conference, The Lark, Playwright's Horizon, Clubbed Thumb, Villanova Theater, Wilma Theater, Azuka Theatre and Victory Garden.
James is the 2011 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Artist recipient, and two Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play for The Brothers Size with Simpatico Theatre Company and Gem of the Ocean with Arden Theatre. James is a 2015 Pew Fellow for Playwriting, the 2015 winner of the Terrance McNally New Play Award for WHITE, the 2015 Kesselring Honorable Mention Prize winner for ....Miz Martha, a 2017 recipient of the Whiting Award, a 2019 Kesselring Prize for Kill Move Paradise, a 2020 and 2022 Steinberg Prize, the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama recipient and a 2023 Tony nominee for Best Play for Fat Ham
James was a founding member of Orbiter 3, Philadelphia’s first playwright producing collective.
He received a B.A. in Drama from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and a M.F.A. in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
jamesijames.com
JAMES IJAMES is a Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award nominated playwright, a director and educator.
James’ plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Azuka Theatre (Philadelphia, PA), The National Black Theatre, JACK, The Public Theater (NYC), Hudson Valley Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Definition Theatre, Timeline Theater (Chicago IL) Shotgun Players (Berkeley, CA) and have received development with PlayPenn New Play Conference, The Lark, Playwright's Horizon, Clubbed Thumb, Villanova Theater, Wilma Theater, Azuka Theatre and Victory Garden.
James is the 2011 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Artist recipient, and two Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play for The Brothers Size with Simpatico Theatre Company and Gem of the Ocean with Arden Theatre. James is a 2015 Pew Fellow for Playwriting, the 2015 winner of the Terrance McNally New Play Award for WHITE, the 2015 Kesselring Honorable Mention Prize winner for ....Miz Martha, a 2017 recipient of the Whiting Award, a 2019 Kesselring Prize for Kill Move Paradise, a 2020 and 2022 Steinberg Prize, the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama recipient and a 2023 Tony nominee for Best Play for Fat Ham
James was a founding member of Orbiter 3, Philadelphia’s first playwright producing collective.
He received a B.A. in Drama from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and a M.F.A. in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
2025 (DG) Convening
Learn about Jill Harrison
Jill Harrison (She/Her)
Jill Harrison (she/her) is a theatre director, creative consultant, and educator. She began her career in NYC, working for esteemed Off-Broadway companies Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, and Peculiar Works Project. Jill has served as the Associate Artistic Director at Simpatico Theatre, the Festival Director for Philadelphia Theatre Company’s PTC@PLAY, and presently, the Founder & Executive Director of Directors Gathering (DG), a membership organization that builds continuous community for regional theatre directors.
Select directing credits include: the world premiere of Alessandra Most’s Private Policy, a circus in two acts (Columbia Stages), the Philadelphia premieres of Samuel D. Hunter’s A Bright New Boise and Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Simpatico), Craig Lucas’ Reckless (Theatre Outlet), Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Villanova Theatre), David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette (Swarthmore Theatre), Annie Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation (Arcadia Theatre), and Jacqueline Goldfinger's Babel (Passage Theatre).
A Rad Girl Award "Connector of the Year" nominee, Jill serves as a national voice in elevating regional theatre directors as visionaries. Since 2016, Jill has collaborated with fellow director-centric programmers and leaders at the Stage Directors + Choreographers Society, the theatrical union for directors, The Drama League, and many other director-centric programs to connect and mutually grow our interest in supporting theatre directors and their significant impact on arts and culture.
Jill holds a MFA in Directing from Temple University and a BA in Theatre from Lehigh University. As a professor, Jill has taught directing and new work at Swarthmore College, Arcadia University, Temple University, Villanova University, and has offered virtual studio sessions for theatre directors on her digital platform, "Directors Workshop". Jill is a member of Lincoln Center Theatre Director’s Lab and an associate member of SDC. She is also most proud of her greatest accomplishments, partner to fellow (DG) founding board member, Tom Snyder, and mama to the original (DG) mascot, Stella Snyder.
Jill Harrison (she/her) is a theatre director, creative consultant, and educator. She began her career in NYC, working for esteemed Off-Broadway companies Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, and Peculiar Works Project. Jill has served as the Associate Artistic Director at Simpatico Theatre, the Festival Director for Philadelphia Theatre Company’s PTC@PLAY, and presently, the Founder & Executive Director of Directors Gathering (DG), a membership organization that builds continuous community for regional theatre directors.
Select directing credits include: the world premiere of Alessandra Most’s Private Policy, a circus in two acts (Columbia Stages), the Philadelphia premieres of Samuel D. Hunter’s A Bright New Boise and Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Simpatico), Craig Lucas’ Reckless (Theatre Outlet), Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Villanova Theatre), David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette (Swarthmore Theatre), Annie Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation (Arcadia Theatre), and Jacqueline Goldfinger's Babel (Passage Theatre).
A Rad Girl Award "Connector of the Year" nominee, Jill serves as a national voice in elevating regional theatre directors as visionaries. Since 2016, Jill has collaborated with fellow director-centric programmers and leaders at the Stage Directors + Choreographers Society, the theatrical union for directors, The Drama League, and many other director-centric programs to connect and mutually grow our interest in supporting theatre directors and their significant impact on arts and culture.
Jill holds a MFA in Directing from Temple University and a BA in Theatre from Lehigh University. As a professor, Jill has taught directing and new work at Swarthmore College, Arcadia University, Temple University, Villanova University, and has offered virtual studio sessions for theatre directors on her digital platform, "Directors Workshop". Jill is a member of Lincoln Center Theatre Director’s Lab and an associate member of SDC. She is also most proud of her greatest accomplishments, partner to fellow (DG) founding board member, Tom Snyder, and mama to the original (DG) mascot, Stella Snyder.
2025 (DG) Convening
MEET OUR (DG) CONVENING SESSION FACILITATORS
Facilitator Bios
&
Convening Session Descriptions
Facilitator Bios
&
Convening Session Descriptions
|
Tamara Della Anderson - Session Facilitator
Tamara is a Renaissance artist who works as an actor, director, writer, and organizer. Her company, The Gumbo Lab, features a virtual platform for Black female identifying and Black queer solo artists and an annual BIPOC ten-minute film festival (Radical Imaginings). Her BIPOC Database and Resource Guide connects BIPOC creatives to work in the industry. She is one of the founding steering committee members of the National Black Lives Matter Week of Action at Schools, a Teach Truth organizer with Zinn Education Project, and is a member of the National Advisory Council for Teaching Artists Guild (TAG). She is a 2023 art resident/fellow at Hermitage Artist Retreat. Directed and wrote Dating Chronicles, a film short. Her writing includes Erasure of Black Women (#CritEdPol: Journal of Critical Education Policy Studies at Swarthmore College. Jan 2021), Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Philadelphia Schools (Lapiz No 6 Hacer Escuela - Inventing School - 2021), Chapter 3: From Philly with Love: Black Lives Matter at School goes National (Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice - Dec 2020), Foreword: The Systemic Cycle of Brokenness (Workplace: A Journal for Academic Labor No 26 - Jan 2016), #TeachTruth: Pushing Back Attacks on CRT (Convergence Magazine - Aug 2021), Sample Street (A full length play - 2023), and Anywhere (a 10 minute play). Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Casting and Directing opportunities (Virtual, Sun. Nov. 2)
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET Sunday, November 2 Session Type: Workshop Theatres have been facing instances of tokenism and limited opportunities when it comes to artists of color for over a century. And each time, the industry puts a mirror up to themselves; they attempt to measure their progress based on past efforts or historical data. In 2025, how far along have we come as an industry and a culture? How does our creative present match, challenge, or reflect the current political climate? Toni Morrison said, "Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge—even wisdom. Like art.” What have we learned from the chaos? And what kind of work do we need to do in order to manifest sustainable growth and change for directors and artists of color? Jill Harrison - session Moderator
Meet the Producers (Virtual, Sat. Nov. 1)
PANELISTS: Mark Armstrong, Taibi Magar, Paige Price, and Tai Verley 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET Saturday, November 1 Session Type: Panel & Discussion/Community Conversation This interactive session invites directors to engage directly with producers in an open, honest conversation about collaboration, hiring, and access. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own questions, challenges, and insights—their input will guide the discussion and help shape a more transparent dialogue between directors and producers in real time. While this topic of producer-director relationships remains complex and often unclear across the industry, this conversation aims to move us closer to shared understanding and actionable strategies. We may not solve everything in one session, but we’ll work together toward identifying the tactics and pathways—through community and initiatives like (DG)’s ongoing work—that can strengthen how directors and producers collaborate for the long term. Ji Won Jeon - Session facilitator
Directing Joy Across Borders: Inching Towards Yeolha (Virtual, Sun. Nov. 9)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET Sunday, November 9 Session Type: Lecture/Research Presentation This session will take the form of a reflective presentation with space for dialogue. I will share my directing process of Inching Towards Yeolha by contemporary Korean playwright Sam-Shik Pai, produced at Michigan State University with a primarily non-Korean cast. My delivery will interweave storytelling, concrete rehearsal strategies, and critical reflection on questions of cultural translation, representation, and ensemble-building. The intended audience includes directors, educators, and students who are curious about staging culturally specific or international works in contexts where artists or audiences may be unfamiliar with the culture represented. It will also speak to practitioners interested in sustainable, joyful rehearsal practices when working across difference. This session is important to the Convening’s theme—What Sustains Us—because it explores how joy, rigor, and care can sustain directors and actors when encountering unfamiliar material. Rather than treating cultural unfamiliarity as a barrier, I frame it as an opportunity for discovery, humility, and connection. Takeaways for attendees include:
Cat Ramirez - Session Facilitator
Cat Ramirez (they/them) is a director and producer who loves logistical puzzles, community meals, and bisexual lighting. An Emo kid meets hardcore jock, Cat’s favorite directing projects include She Was a Conquistawhore with Rachel O’Hanlon Rodriguez and Die Cast, Letters to the Moon and deciphering the knots in the pine beams with Mel Hsu and Intercultural Journeys, Half Magic with Joseph Ahmed, Meet Murasaki Shikibu with Tiny Dynamite (Barrymore nomination for Outstanding Direction), Young Americans with Theatre Horizon, and Space Opera with Obvious Agency. They have produced with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Asian Arts Initiative, InterAct Theatre Company, and more. Cat is the Creative Director for Philly Asian Performing Artists, the Creative Producer and a worker-owner for Obvious Agency, and a Board Member of the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation and Theatre Philadelphia. catramirez.com // obvious-agency.com Power relationships in the theatre industry (and the ways we can disrupt them) (Virtual, Sun. Nov. 9)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET Sunday, November 9 Session Type: Workshop & Discussion/Community Conversation This workshop explores how power circulates in theatrical directing—where directors hold authority and where they are constrained. We’ll question roles, scripts, casting, conceptual authority, and relationships with producers, institutions, other artists, and philanthropy. Through individual and group exercises, breakout rooms, and full-group reflection, participants will examine assumptions, share frustrations, and experiment with disruptions to entrenched structures. If you’ve been feeling stuck, silenced, or constrained by systems you assumed were immovable, this is a space to reimagine. Together, we’ll consider where power lives in our practice and how it might shift. You’ll leave with practical tools to analyze structural power, challenge assumptions, and reimagine your artistic and professional agency. At a moment when many theatre artists are questioning the sustainability of our field, this session asks us to think beyond resignation and into possibility. By reflecting collectively on the dynamics that shape our work, we can begin to build new models of collaboration, integrity, and agency. |
Sammi Cannold - Session facilitator
Sammi Cannold is a Broadway director and filmmaker who is one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, one of Variety's 10 Broadway Stars to Watch, one of Town & Country's Creative Aristocracy, and a Drama Desk Award winner. In 2025, she was named a Sundance Writers Intensive Fellow and is developing her first feature film, The Homecoming, with the Sundance Institute. Theater credits include: How to Dance in Ohio (Broadway, Syracuse Stage), Evita (A.R.T., S.T.C., New York City Center), Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center), Rent in Concert (Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra), Carmen (Rose Hall, Lincoln Center), Endlings (NYTW, A.R.T.), Ragtime on Ellis Island, and Violet (A.R.T.). Additional: A.R.T. Artistic Fellow, member of Cirque du Soleil's Creative Cognoscenti, Sundance Institute Theater Fellow, and work for CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and Apple TV+. B.A., Stanford University; M.A., Harvard University. www.sammicannold.com. A Conversation with Sammi Cannold (Virtual, Sat. Nov. 1)
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM ET Saturday, November 1 Session Type: Discussion/Community Conversation Every director’s journey is uniquely winding — few arrive “straight to directing,” and along the way, torches are lit by mentors, collaborators, and defining moments that illuminate new paths forward. In this featured Q&A, acclaimed director Sammi Cannold shares her story: how she found her way into directing, who helped shape her artistic identity, and the practices that sustain her work today. This conversation will move beyond familiar phrases for success in theatre, like “building relationships is key”, to explore the often-unspoken realities of navigating the directing profession. With an emphasis on transparency, care, and community, Sammi will open a window into the challenges and strategies of sustaining a career in theatre. The session begins with guided questions and concludes with an open Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with Sammi. Participants will walk away with tangible insights and tools for their own journeys — grounded in honesty, resilience, and joy. Jerrell L. Henderson - Featured Session Facilitator
Jerrell L. Henderson is a director (SDC), puppeteer and African American Theatre archivist. Recent productions include: Fat Ham and Blues for an Alabama Sky at Virginia Stage Company, The Prodigal Daughter at Raven Theatre and Constellations at Penobscot Theatre. Other directing credits include: Ragtime at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Reverie by James Ijames with Azuka Theatre, and Mlima’s Tale with Griffin Theatre (Jeff Award nomination for Direction and Best Play). As a Director-Puppeteer, he staged his original shadow play, AmericanMYTH: Crossroads at Free Street Theatre (League of Chicago Theatre's 2022 Samuel G. Roberson, Jr. Fellowship, Jim Henson Foundation Workshop Grant, Chicago DCASE grant). He has co-developed and co-staged both Little Amal Drifts Off To Sleep with ChiPuppets in Maggie Daley Park, Chicago, and When the World Sounds like a Prayer with the Classical Theatre of Harlem and St. Ann's Warehouse in Bryant Park, NYC. Puppet short films include I Am The Bear with The Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival, Hamlin: La Revue Sombre with Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams, and Diamond’s Dream with Chicago Children’s Theatre. He received his MFA in Theatre Directing from Northwestern University (2015). Jerrell is the creator/curator of black_theatre_vinyl_archive on IG. He is represented by the Gurman Agency ([email protected]). Directors Consulting: Live Consultation Demonstration (Virtual, Sun. Nov. 9)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Sunday, November 9 Session Type: Demonstration and Feedback of Directors Gathering Service This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at the kind of one-on-one consulting service (DG) is piloting for directors. The idea is simple: sometimes directors need targeted advice on a specific artistic or career objective — without the long-term commitment of mentorship, and without the uncertainty of asking for free labor from peers. In this demonstration, Jerrell L. Henderson will consult with one director on a specific, pre-determined objective (approximately 20 minutes). For example:
Following the one-on-one session, Sisi and participants will spend the remaining 30 minutes discussing:
This conversation will help (DG) shape a consulting service that balances access, value, and sustainability for directors at every stage of their practice. Carrie Klewin Lawrence & Suzanne Delle - Session Facilitators
Carrie Klewin Lawrence, MFA (she/her), a dynamic and collaborative storyteller, directs theatrical productions utilizing an ensemble-driven process. Carrie specializes in creating experimental and movement-based musicals, opera, and devised work developed from improvisation and commedia dell’arte. A penchant for new plays has led to numerous premieres, participation on selection committees for Sundance Theatre Lab and The Playwrights Realm, and working with Moises Kaufman, Mark Bly, The Kennedy Center, and The Red Wolves. Social change dominates project selection, leading to relationships with Theatre Without Borders, Amnesty International, Coexistence International, and the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. As the author of Origin Story, Carrie weaves personal storytelling into a journey of strategic action, encouraging creatives to control their(self) narrative, overcome imposter syndrome, and pursue future goals. Carrie is a theatre professor at a bakery, mother of three, USMC spouse, proud member of SDC, and alumna of DLW ’06. www.carrieklewin.com Suzanne Delle, MFA (she/her) Theatre educator, director, and arts administrator with 45 years of experience. Previously tenured associate theatre professor with curriculum development and project management experience. Producer of two podcasts: Theatre for Your Ears (anchor.fm/theatre-for-your-ear) and Traumaturgy (https://sdelle1.wixsite.com/traumaturgy/podcast-1) that explore audio plays and theatre for social justice. Studied Devising with SITI Company, the Mary Overlie Legacy Project, and Tectonic Theatre Company (certified in Moment Work), Intimacy Direction with Theatrical Intimacy Education (certified Intimacy Captain with ICOC), Mental Health with Artistic Mental Health Coordinators. Recipient of the ATHE/KCACTF 2022 Innovative Teaching Award for Region II. Social Media: linkedin.com/in/suzanne-delle-ab85264 The Art of Collaboration, Directing with Curiosity, Wonder, and Collective Imagination (Virtual, Sat. Nov. 1)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET Saturday, November 1 Session Type: Workshop Discover how curiosity and wonder can transform rehearsals into spaces of inquiry, innovation, and shared authorship. A framework for those eager to lead creative projects with impact, inclusion, and bold ideas. Collaboration in theatre is not just a logistical necessity—it’s an art form in itself, and one of the director’s greatest tools. The Art of Collaboration invites directors to reimagine the rehearsal room as a living laboratory of ideas. Together, we’ll explore how a process of inquiry and investigation enables directors to move beyond the mechanics of staging while cultivating an environment where each team member has agency. Directors will practice asking better questions, welcoming multiple perspectives, and embracing productive friction as a source of discovery. This workshop positions collaboration as both a craft and a mindset—a commitment to directing with openness, leading with imagination, and shaping theatre that is bolder, more inclusive, and joyfully transformative. The Art of Collaboration Key Takeaways 1. Collaborative Process Framework 2. Productive Friction Strategies 3. Consensus & Crowdsourcing Exercises Jonald Reyes - Session facilitator
JONALD JUDE REYES (Director) is based in Brooklyn, NY and is currently a Resident Director & the Artistic Director of the Training Center at The Second City - New York. Honored to be named Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago” Best Stage Director in 2016. He was a member of the Directors Lab at Lincoln Center Theater (2017) and DirectorsLabChicago (2016). His recent directing credits include The Second City Touring Company; Stir Friday Night’s We Are Asian. We Do Comedy. (Steppenwolf Theatre’s LookOut Series); Hyde Ya Kids, Hyde Ya Park (The Revival); and the 30th anniversary of “Splatter Theater” (Annoyance). He has been the Assistant to the Director for Do You Believe In Madness? (The Second City’s 108th Mainstage revue); The Second City’s Left Leaning and Always Right (Berkeley Rep); and Generation Gap (Kennedy Center). Jonald is a founding member of Stepping Stone Theater (Chicago). He is also an Associate Member of the SDC Union. More info at jonaldjude.com. The State of the Comedy Union (Virtual, Sun. Nov. 2)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET Sunday, November 2 Session Type: Discussion/Community Conversation This session explores how comedy and satire can strengthen storytelling and deepen a director’s toolkit. Participants will examine how comedic tone, rhythm, and timing shape audience engagement, and how “finding the funny” can bring new meaning to serious themes. Through discussion and practical exercises—covering blocking, dialogue delivery, and improv strategies—directors will leave with tangible approaches to infusing humor and satire into rehearsal and production processes. |
2025 (DG) Convening in the Press
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A downloadable version of the 2025 (DG) Convening press release is also available by clicking the link below.
| 2025_directors_gathering_convening_press_release_-_aug._27_2025.pdf |
(DG) CONVENING SCHEDULE
Registration Required to Attend
Registration Required to Attend
WEEKEND 1
Day 1: Saturday, November 1 – Virtual (Live on Zoom + Virtual On-Demand)
Opening Message from the Executive Director (Virtual On-Demand), Sisi Wright. A welcome message from (DG)’s Executive Director introducing the Convening’s theme and intentions.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET / 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM PT
The Art of Collaboration: Directing with Curiosity, Wonder, and Collective Imagination | Workshop (Virtual)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT
Meet the Producers | Panel & Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM PT
A Conversation with Sammi Cannold | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
6:30 PM - 7:15 PM ET / 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Convening Reflection Room | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
Day 1: Saturday, November 1 – Virtual (Live on Zoom + Virtual On-Demand)
Opening Message from the Executive Director (Virtual On-Demand), Sisi Wright. A welcome message from (DG)’s Executive Director introducing the Convening’s theme and intentions.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET / 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM PT
The Art of Collaboration: Directing with Curiosity, Wonder, and Collective Imagination | Workshop (Virtual)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT
Meet the Producers | Panel & Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM PT
A Conversation with Sammi Cannold | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
6:30 PM - 7:15 PM ET / 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Convening Reflection Room | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
WEEKEND 1
Day 2: Sunday, November 2 – Virtual (Live on Zoom)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT
The State of the Comedy Union | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM ET / 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Director Roll Call| Creative Demonstration (Virtual)
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 [EXTENDED DATE]
Session: Live during the (DG) Convening
Available On-Demand: Through November via private YouTube link
--The Director Roll Call is a live-streamed showcase designed to introduce directors to producers, artistic leaders,
and collaborators from across the country.
--Each participating director will have up to 90 seconds to share who they are, what drives their work, and what
kinds of projects or partnerships they’re seeking next.
--This session will be streamed live for producers attending the Convening and made available afterward through
a private YouTube link for continued visibility through November.
--Directors must register for the Roll Call by Wednesday, October 29, 2025, to be included in the Roll Call lineup.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET / 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PT
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Casting and Directing Opportunities | Workshop (Virtual)
6:30 PM - 7:15 PM ET / 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Convening Reflection Room | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
Day 2: Sunday, November 2 – Virtual (Live on Zoom)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT
The State of the Comedy Union | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM ET / 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Director Roll Call| Creative Demonstration (Virtual)
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 [EXTENDED DATE]
Session: Live during the (DG) Convening
Available On-Demand: Through November via private YouTube link
--The Director Roll Call is a live-streamed showcase designed to introduce directors to producers, artistic leaders,
and collaborators from across the country.
--Each participating director will have up to 90 seconds to share who they are, what drives their work, and what
kinds of projects or partnerships they’re seeking next.
--This session will be streamed live for producers attending the Convening and made available afterward through
a private YouTube link for continued visibility through November.
--Directors must register for the Roll Call by Wednesday, October 29, 2025, to be included in the Roll Call lineup.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET / 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PT
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Casting and Directing Opportunities | Workshop (Virtual)
6:30 PM - 7:15 PM ET / 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Convening Reflection Room | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
WEEKEND 2
Day 3: Saturday, November 8 – Virtual (on HowlRound TV) + In person (at CultureWorks in Philadelphia)
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET / 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM PT
(Doors Open at 5:00 PM ET)
Honoree Presentation and Keynote
On Saturday, November 8, the Convening gathers in person at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia for an evening of celebration, reflection, and community connection. The program honors (DG) founder and director, Jill Harrison, features a keynote by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and director, James Ijames, and includes a moderated conversation on directing beyond industry limits—culminating in a joyful reception, with the presentation and keynote streamed live on HowlRound TV.
📺Watch live or the recording on HowlRound TV! The live stream begins at 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT
Day 3: Saturday, November 8 – Virtual (on HowlRound TV) + In person (at CultureWorks in Philadelphia)
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET / 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM PT
(Doors Open at 5:00 PM ET)
Honoree Presentation and Keynote
On Saturday, November 8, the Convening gathers in person at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia for an evening of celebration, reflection, and community connection. The program honors (DG) founder and director, Jill Harrison, features a keynote by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and director, James Ijames, and includes a moderated conversation on directing beyond industry limits—culminating in a joyful reception, with the presentation and keynote streamed live on HowlRound TV.
📺Watch live or the recording on HowlRound TV! The live stream begins at 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT
WEEKEND 2
Day 4: Sunday, November 9 – Virtual (Live on Zoom)
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT
Power Relationships in the Theatre Industry (and the Ways We Can Disrupt Them) | Workshop & Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET / 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Directing Joy Across Borders: Inching Towards Yeolha | Lecture/Research Presentation (Virtual)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET / 12:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT
Directors Consulting: Live Consultation Demonstration | Demonstration and Feedback (Virtual)
6:30 PM - 7:15 PM ET / 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Convening Reflection Room | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
Day 4: Sunday, November 9 – Virtual (Live on Zoom)
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT
Power Relationships in the Theatre Industry (and the Ways We Can Disrupt Them) | Workshop & Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET / 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Directing Joy Across Borders: Inching Towards Yeolha | Lecture/Research Presentation (Virtual)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET / 12:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT
Directors Consulting: Live Consultation Demonstration | Demonstration and Feedback (Virtual)
6:30 PM - 7:15 PM ET / 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Convening Reflection Room | Discussion/Community Conversation (Virtual)
Location & Accessibility Information
Registration is required to attend the (DG) Convening.
Click here to register today!
📍In-Person Convening Evening:
Saturday, November 8, 2025
CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19107
🏛️ About the Venue
The in-person evening of the (DG) Convening will take place at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, a collaborative coworking and community space in the heart of Center City. The suite features flexible seating, warm lighting, and an open layout that we’ll arrange to support our audience’s comfort and connection.
Located in the Philadelphia Building in Center City, CultureWorks is in the heart of the Theatre District—surrounded by restaurants, hotels, and major transit lines.
A photo of the exterior of the building (The Philadelphia Building) is included below. Photo: John W. Cahill.
Click here to register today!
📍In-Person Convening Evening:
Saturday, November 8, 2025
CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19107
🏛️ About the Venue
The in-person evening of the (DG) Convening will take place at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, a collaborative coworking and community space in the heart of Center City. The suite features flexible seating, warm lighting, and an open layout that we’ll arrange to support our audience’s comfort and connection.
Located in the Philadelphia Building in Center City, CultureWorks is in the heart of the Theatre District—surrounded by restaurants, hotels, and major transit lines.
A photo of the exterior of the building (The Philadelphia Building) is included below. Photo: John W. Cahill.
🚗 Getting There
By Public Transportation:
🚆 By Train (Amtrak or Regional Rail)From Out of Town: Arrive at 30th Street Station (Amtrak), Philadelphia’s main rail hub. From there, take a short SEPTA Regional Rail ride to Jefferson Station (approx. 5 minutes), or take a 10–15 minute taxi or rideshare to 1315 Walnut Street.
Amtrak Schedules & Tickets
SEPTA Regional Rail Schedules
From Suburbs or the greater Region: Take any SEPTA Regional Rail line into Jefferson Station or Suburban Station—both within a 10-minute walk of the venue.
🚇 By Subway or TrolleyBroad Street Line: Exit at Walnut–Locust Station, then walk one block east to 1315 Walnut Street.
Market–Frankford Line: Exit at 13th Street Station, then walk south three blocks to Walnut Street.
SEPTA Maps & Transit Guide
By Car:
CultureWorks is in downtown Philadelphia near major highways I-76, I-95, and Route 1.
Use 1315 Walnut Street in your GPS or mapping app.
Parking:
Several paid garages and lots are within one or two blocks.
Metered street parking is available but limited.
For advance reservations, use apps such as SpotHero or ParkWhiz.
By Rideshare:
Uber, Lyft, and taxis can drop you off directly at the building’s main entrance on Walnut Street between 13th and Broad Streets.
🏢 Arrival & Check-In
When you arrive at 1315 Walnut Street, please:
Enter the main lobby doors on Walnut Street.
Check in with security at the front desk across from the elevators — a government-issued photo ID is required.
Take the elevator to the 3rd floor, then turn left to reach Suite 300 (CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia).(DG) team members and signage will be available to help you find your way.
🥂 Reception & Recording Notice
A light reception with food and beverages will follow the program.
Please note that filming and photography will take place during the event for livestreaming and documentation. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and recorded as part of the Convening.
💙 Community Health
Your health and safety are priorities.
If you’re feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of any illness, please refrain from attending in person and join virtually instead.
Masks are welcome and encouraged, and you are invited to wear one if it makes you more comfortable.
We encourage attendees to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours before arriving to support a healthy environment for all.
♿ Accessibility
(DG) strives to make the Convening accessible to all attendees.
ASL interpretation will be provided during the in-person evening.
Captions, that are a mix of computer-generated and human-generated, will be available for all virtual sessions.
🛏️ Staying Overnight?
For guests traveling from outside Philadelphia or staying late for the evening reception, there are several hotels within walking distance of the venue, including:
Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown
Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia
Aloft Philadelphia Downtown
Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown
Please note: These listings are provided solely for attendee convenience and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Directors Gathering or CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia.
If you have an access need not already met by these services, please email us at [email protected] so we can work with you to make sure you have a welcoming and inclusive experience.
By Public Transportation:
🚆 By Train (Amtrak or Regional Rail)From Out of Town: Arrive at 30th Street Station (Amtrak), Philadelphia’s main rail hub. From there, take a short SEPTA Regional Rail ride to Jefferson Station (approx. 5 minutes), or take a 10–15 minute taxi or rideshare to 1315 Walnut Street.
Amtrak Schedules & Tickets
SEPTA Regional Rail Schedules
From Suburbs or the greater Region: Take any SEPTA Regional Rail line into Jefferson Station or Suburban Station—both within a 10-minute walk of the venue.
🚇 By Subway or TrolleyBroad Street Line: Exit at Walnut–Locust Station, then walk one block east to 1315 Walnut Street.
Market–Frankford Line: Exit at 13th Street Station, then walk south three blocks to Walnut Street.
SEPTA Maps & Transit Guide
By Car:
CultureWorks is in downtown Philadelphia near major highways I-76, I-95, and Route 1.
Use 1315 Walnut Street in your GPS or mapping app.
Parking:
Several paid garages and lots are within one or two blocks.
Metered street parking is available but limited.
For advance reservations, use apps such as SpotHero or ParkWhiz.
By Rideshare:
Uber, Lyft, and taxis can drop you off directly at the building’s main entrance on Walnut Street between 13th and Broad Streets.
🏢 Arrival & Check-In
When you arrive at 1315 Walnut Street, please:
Enter the main lobby doors on Walnut Street.
Check in with security at the front desk across from the elevators — a government-issued photo ID is required.
Take the elevator to the 3rd floor, then turn left to reach Suite 300 (CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia).(DG) team members and signage will be available to help you find your way.
🥂 Reception & Recording Notice
A light reception with food and beverages will follow the program.
Please note that filming and photography will take place during the event for livestreaming and documentation. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and recorded as part of the Convening.
💙 Community Health
Your health and safety are priorities.
If you’re feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of any illness, please refrain from attending in person and join virtually instead.
Masks are welcome and encouraged, and you are invited to wear one if it makes you more comfortable.
We encourage attendees to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours before arriving to support a healthy environment for all.
♿ Accessibility
(DG) strives to make the Convening accessible to all attendees.
ASL interpretation will be provided during the in-person evening.
Captions, that are a mix of computer-generated and human-generated, will be available for all virtual sessions.
🛏️ Staying Overnight?
For guests traveling from outside Philadelphia or staying late for the evening reception, there are several hotels within walking distance of the venue, including:
Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown
Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia
Aloft Philadelphia Downtown
Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown
Please note: These listings are provided solely for attendee convenience and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Directors Gathering or CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia.
If you have an access need not already met by these services, please email us at [email protected] so we can work with you to make sure you have a welcoming and inclusive experience.
2025 (DG) Convening Partners and Sponsors
Thank you to our Convening Partners and Sponsors!
Thank you to our Convening Partners and Sponsors!
2025 (DG) Convening Partner:
Department of Commerce, City of Philadelphia
Creative Economy Initiatives
Website:
https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-commerce/for-businesses/support-for-key-industries/#creative-economy
Department of Commerce, City of Philadelphia
Creative Economy Initiatives
Website:
https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-commerce/for-businesses/support-for-key-industries/#creative-economy
2025 (DG) Convening Marketing Sponsor:
Gateway Set Rentals
Website:
www.setrentals.com
Address:
215 S. Country Rd.
Bellport, NY 11713
Phone:
631-285-0555 x7000
Gateway Set Rentals provides scenery, props, and costumes to theatres, schools, and independent artists across the continental United States and Canada. Gateway Set Rentals: we're more than just sets.
Gateway Set Rentals
Website:
www.setrentals.com
Address:
215 S. Country Rd.
Bellport, NY 11713
Phone:
631-285-0555 x7000
Gateway Set Rentals provides scenery, props, and costumes to theatres, schools, and independent artists across the continental United States and Canada. Gateway Set Rentals: we're more than just sets.
Interested in becoming a (DG) Convening Sponsor? Learn more on how becoming a (DG) Convening Sponsor will offer opportunities for direct engagement with the (DG) community. Please click here for more details.
Call for Session Proposals
The 2025 (DG) Convening invites proposals for sessions that align with this year’s theme:
What Sustains Us: Directing Beyond the Industry’s Limits, Cultivating a Joyful Practice
📅 Submission Window
Monday, September 1 – Sunday, September 14, 2025
📌 Formats Accepted
Live Virtual Session (via Zoom, up to 60 minutes; must conclude within allotted time)
Pre-Recorded Video or Audio Session (shared on-demand; ideally under 60 minutes, though shorter is welcome)
📝 Who Can Submit
While the Convening centers the director experience, submissions are open to theatre directors as well as producers, designers, dramaturgs, scholars, educators, and other artists. Members of the (DG) staff and board of volunteers will review proposals.
⚠️ Important
All proposals are for the virtual program only. Submissions will not be considered for in-person sessions.
📄 Guidance & Terms
Before submitting, please review our Alignment Guide & Presenter Terms (PDF) below.
This guide will help you align your idea with the theme and understand expectations for participation.
✅ Next Steps
Submission form opens on September 1.
All proposals must be submitted by September 14.
Accepted session leaders will be notified by September 30, with the final Convening schedule released in early October.
The 2025 (DG) Convening invites proposals for sessions that align with this year’s theme:
What Sustains Us: Directing Beyond the Industry’s Limits, Cultivating a Joyful Practice
📅 Submission Window
Monday, September 1 – Sunday, September 14, 2025
📌 Formats Accepted
Live Virtual Session (via Zoom, up to 60 minutes; must conclude within allotted time)
Pre-Recorded Video or Audio Session (shared on-demand; ideally under 60 minutes, though shorter is welcome)
📝 Who Can Submit
While the Convening centers the director experience, submissions are open to theatre directors as well as producers, designers, dramaturgs, scholars, educators, and other artists. Members of the (DG) staff and board of volunteers will review proposals.
⚠️ Important
All proposals are for the virtual program only. Submissions will not be considered for in-person sessions.
📄 Guidance & Terms
Before submitting, please review our Alignment Guide & Presenter Terms (PDF) below.
This guide will help you align your idea with the theme and understand expectations for participation.
✅ Next Steps
Submission form opens on September 1.
All proposals must be submitted by September 14.
Accepted session leaders will be notified by September 30, with the final Convening schedule released in early October.
Check out our media coverage from previous Convenings.
2022 Howlround Theatre Commons article
2022 American theatre magazine feature
2022 (DG) Coffee Chat: Special Blend