What's Next?

If you've gone outside today you probably noticed that the temps have dropped and it feels like Fall. While some people might already be missing those hot summer days on the beach, I look forward to the cooler weather, light jackets and the new theatre season. It's a great time of year to be in Chicago and has always been my favorite season. After a busy summer with the TCG conference and launching a brand new look and website, it's a perfect time to refocus and hit the ground running. We have some great events lined up for the next few weeks. While I am sure many of you are busy launching your season, we hope that we'll see you at one of these upcoming events.

Dramatists Guild Meet and Greet
Sunday, September 19, 2 - 5 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
The League and the Dramatists Guild of America invite theatres to join members of the Dramatists Guild from throughout the Midwest for a Meet and Greet. Presented in Collaboration with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. The event is designed so that representatives of theatres, such as Artistic Directors and Literary Managers, can have an opportunity to speak with playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists about their mission, the kind of new work they are interested in, what kind of submissions they take, etc. The format will be a "fair" type, with each theatre having a table on which they can display materials. If your theatre would like to be represented at the event please RSVP to
ben@chicagoplays.com before 5 p.m. on Friday, 9/17.

Chicago Theatre Intern Networking Event
Monday, September 27, 2010, 6 - 8 p.m.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand
FREE, rsvp to ben@chicagoplays.com
Meet and network with interns at other Chicago theater companies. Take part in breakout groups by job discipline led by established and emerging leaders in the Chicago theater community. Don't miss this unique opportunity to make connections and learn from the experience of leaders in the theatre community.
RSVP before Friday, September 24 to attend. Please pass on to your company's interns.

Asking Matters Presentation: What's An Asking Style and How Do I Use It?
Monday, October 4, 2010, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
League offices, 228 S. Wabash, Suite 200
Free, but space is Limited. RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com.
Learn about Asking Matters and how to get your board more involved in fundraising by using the concept of Asking Styles. Join Asking Matters™ Co-Founder Brian Saber in this 90-minute presentation and seminar as he guides you through easy and effective exercises to help you understand your Asking Style and how to use it to full advantage. Learn how to get your board and staff talking about their Asking Styles and inspire them to get out and ask for gifts. Find out how even one 15-minute conversation about Asking Styles will give everyone the perspective and confidence they need to fundraise. Asking Matters™ is an on-line tool that teaches board members and others how to fundraise and motivates them to get out and ask.

Finally, October launches the third year of TCG's Free Night of Theater in Chicago. We have about 40 theatres participating already this year and it's not too late to sign up. Email ben@chicagoplays.com for details.