If you weren’t one of the lucky theatre professionals from around the country to attend Theatre Communication’s Group’s 2012 conference in Boston last month, you can still check out a variety of online videos of fascinating plenary presentations (some online only through August 17).  Visit the site to hear from leading thinkers in our field, such as …

Theatrical Innovation: Whose Job Is It?
Howard Shalwitz, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Woolly Mammoth (moderator); Sarah Benson, Artistic Director, Soho Rep; Blanka Zizka, Artistic Director, The Wilma Theater; Anthony Moseley, Executive Artistic Director, Collaboraction; Eric Ting, Associate Artistic Director, Long Wharf Theatre

American theatre artists are the best in the world at putting up a show in a brief period of time. But what have we sacrificed for our efficiency? Shalwitz will offer a systemic analysis suggesting that our thinking and processes in the U.S. may be standing in the way of new kinds of productions that could excite American audiences. He will provide examples of strategies that can knit artists together in a shared sense of purpose and open the door to higher levels of theatrical innovation – and the panel will respond.

Seth Godin: Invisible or Remarkable?
Named one of the top 21 speakers for the 21st century by Successful Meetings magazine, Seth Godin draws on his best-selling books and years of being a marketing pioneer to bring audiences of all kinds to their feet. Continuing to push the envelope and make waves in the marketing and publishing worlds, one of his latest endeavors, The Domino Project, completely excludes a traditional print publication for his book, Poke the Box. Hailed as “the kick in the pants you need to shake up your life,” Poke the Box urges everyone to do just as The Domino Project does, move away from conformity and toward ingenuity, toward answering unknown questions for ourselves. Godin’s first book Permission Marketing, was a New York Times best-seller that revolutionized the way corporations approach consumers. Fortune Magazine named it one of their Best Business Books and Promo magazine called Godin “The Prime Minister of Permission Marketing.” In all, he has written 13 books that have been translated into more than 35 languages. Every one has been a bestseller. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything.

A Presentation and Performance by DJ Spooky
Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky is an artist, writer, and musician. Miller has recorded a huge volume of music and has collaborated with a wide variety of artists, writers, musicians and composers. He melds different genres, and performance – and will inspire attendees to explore different models of creating work and connecting with larger, global social issues.

Ensuring the Sustainability of our Field
F. Javier Torres, Senior Program Officer at The Boston Foundation (moderator); Ralph Peña, Artistic Director of Ma-Yi Theater Company; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director of the Goodman Theatre; Adam Thurman, Communications Director at the Court Theatre; Suzanne Wilkins, Director of Program Services for The Partnership, Inc. The face of our country, and in fact the world, is changing. In order to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for our field, we need to incorporate long-range planning and develop the skills to become change agents for diversity. The panel will discuss successful institutional models of supporting diversity and inclusion with regard to our staffs, artists, board members, and audiences.

Theatre’s Role in Activism
Emily Mann, artistic director/resident playwright, McCarter Theatre (moderator); Steve Cosson, Artistic Director, The Civilians; Mike Daisey, monologist actor; KJ Sanchez, founder/CEO, American Records; Ping Chong, founder, Ping Chong Co.; Nilaja Sun, actor, playwright & teaching artist
This plenary focuses on the impact and challenges of activist theatre. What are the challenges, sensitivities and paradoxes when exploring the idea of truth on stage, and reflecting our society through theatre? What responsibilities are placed on artists? This panel of leading artists will explore these larger questions and models of documentary and activist theatre that work.