Center Theatre Group Launches CTG Leadership Circle
Eleven Participants Are Part of the Inaugural Group That Recognizes and Supports Excellence in Emerging Leaders
As we continue to look at our organization and see how to grow and improve, and in response to Center Theatre Group’s “Commitments to Change,” the organization launched the CTG Leadership Circle, a program intended to uplift, celebrate, and support Center Theatre Group’s early- and mid- career staff members.
The focus of CTG Leadership Circle is on employees who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), as well as individuals from intersectional and marginalized identities. The first cohort, which started in September of 2021 and is slated to continue through Spring 2022, includes 11 members from five different departments at Center Theatre Group.
“The people selected for the inaugural CTG Leadership Circle exemplify ethical leadership, creativity, and commitment to challenging status quo,” said Center Theatre Group Deputy Managing Director Camille Schenkkan. “It is only by elevating and empowering colleagues like these that we can cultivate more equitable, joyful theatre practices, and continue our evolution into the organization we want to become.”
The CTG Leadership Circle was designed to connect participating staff members to individual career coaching, and group sessions focused on building skills in arts management leadership. The group and career coaching sessions were facilitated and led by Project Advisor Elena Muslar, Confide Creative LLC. Participants also engage in additional one-on-one and small group networking opportunities, from informational interviews to topic-based sessions on everything from personal financial management to navigating an arts career as a caregiver. In addition, each member is provided with a professional development stipend.
“The CTG Leadership Circle explores what it means to be an arts leader today and celebrates the leaders of the future,” explained Center Theatre Group’s Education and Community Partnerships Department Manager Aurora Ilog, who is the program lead for CTG Leadership Circle. “These hour-long sessions, that typically meet on a weekly basis, allow members of our staff to have the space to cultivate and navigate their individual career journeys. The CTG Leadership Circle creates a space for staff to grow as leaders in their own regard and within our organization.”
This first cohort of the CTG Leadership Circle includes: Nakisa Aschtiani (Finance), Eric Babb (Production), Katie Chen (Production), Courtney Clark (Education and Community Partnerships), Jessica Hernandez (Finance), Juan Martinez (Finance), Paula Matallana (Institutional Advancement), Nikki Michela (Institutional Advancement), Priya Patel (Institutional Advancement), Ayu Tanaka (Communications) and Janelle Cabrera Torres (Information Technology).