Know Before You Go

We can't wait to welcome you to this year's Chapter Leadership Summit and Theatre Education Conference (TEC)! To help you prepare, here's the information you need to know before you go.

Event Schedules

The Theatre Education Conference (July 22-24) takes place Wednesday through Friday evening.

View the TEC Schedule
Chapter Leadership Summit (July 21-22) takes place earlier on Tuesday to Wednesday and is an event hosted for EdTA Chapter Leaders and Board Members. Attendees must be registered for Chapter Leadership Summit to attend these sessions.
View the Leadership Summit Schedule
Note that on Tuesday and Wednesday, sessions for both events appear in the mobile app. Take care to attend sessions designated for your event.
Packing Recommendations

Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably. Some workshops may require/encourage movement, so attendees may want to pack clothing specifically for this purpose. Participants may want to pack layers in case interior spaces are cold.

We invite attendees to wear semi-formal or professional attire for the EdTA Awards for Excellence in Theatre Education to be held on Friday, July 24.

Host Hotel & Transportation

Hyatt Regency Times Square

1605 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Check In: 3:00 p.m. ET
Check Out: 11:00 a.m. ET

Attendees who reserved rooms at the Hyatt will receive confirmation emails directly from the hotel.

Transportation to Hyatt Regency and Open Jar Studios

Information about getting to Hyatt Regency Times Square and valet parking is on Hyatt's website. The nearest subway access to the Hyatt and Open Jar Studios is:

  • the N, R, W at 49th Street & 7th Avenue
  • the A, C, E at 50th Street & 8th Avenue
  • the 1 at 50th Street & Broadway
Venue Maps

NYC Venue Map

A map of TEC venues can be found in this customized Google Map. Use this interactive map to familiarize yourself with the footprint before you arrive or once onsite. This map is also linked in the TEC mobile app.

Note: This Google Map will function with more detail if you are signed in with your own Google account (especially on mobile devices).

Open Jar Studios Floor Plan

A map of studios at Open Jar can be found online here.

Event Check In

EdTA Chapter Leadership Summit

Check-in will be available Tuesday, July 21 from 9:00am-3:30pm and Wednesday, July 22 starting at 7:30am at Open Jar Studios.

We recommend picking up your badge before attending activities off-site. Leadership Summit attendees must show their badge for the Happy Hour event on the TRW Rooftop.

Theatre Education Conference

Check-in will be available from 7:30am-5:30pm on Wednesday, July 22 at Open Jar Studios and will remain open each day of the conference. Check the TEC schedule for specific times.

If you are registered for a Pre-Conference Activity on Wednesday or headed to exclusive shopping hours at The Drama Bookshop, be sure to check-in at Open Jar Studios first to receive your badge and conference materials — TEC attendees must show their badge at The Drama Bookshop to gain entry to the exclusive shopping hour.

Broadway Performance Tickets

Thank to our sponsor Group Sales Box Office, participants were able to reserve tickets to select Broadway shows before the event.

If you reserved performance tickets, you can pick them up when you check in at Open Jar Studios.

If you have any questions about your reserved performance tickets, please email rsvp@broadway.com.

Please note: Performance tickets are not available to TEC one-day pass holders.

On-Site Assistance

The Registration desk will be open for questions that come up while onsite. Check the schedule for Registration times.

You may also text us at (513) 790-4466. Our team will work diligently to reply to texts as quickly as possible upon receipt. Please note that this number is unable to accept phone calls.

For assistance with non-life-threatening safety issues, call the TEC Safety line at (513) 977-5566. If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911 first and then call the TEC Safety line.

Mobile App

The EdTA mobile app is the best place to get up-to-date information on-site.

To download the app:

  1. In your Apple or Android device, open the appropriate app store.
  2. Search for “EdTA” and click to download. Important: Do not choose "EdTA Events." The EdTA Events app is for Chapter Events.
  3. If you already have the EdTA app installed from last year, we suggest uninstalling and reinstalling the app to ensure it updates for this year.
  4. Allow/enable notifications from the app on your device so you will receive any event alerts.
  5. If prompted to do so, select Theatre Education Conference and click Start.

To log in to the MyPlanner tool (the person icon), enter your email and password associated with your TEC registration. These credentials were emailed in your TEC registration confirmation email. Logging in allows you to:

  • View your assigned workshops under My Sessions and in your Agenda
  • Bookmark additional sessions and presenters
  • Rate sessions
  • Take notes

Note: Updates take time to appear in the app. To ensure the app is as up-to-date as possible, please ALLOW the EdTA app to refresh in the background.

To manually force a sync, tap the 3-line menu in the lower right corner, then tap the "Sync id" text. You'll see the sync is in progress and when it's complete.

Chapter Leadership Summit (July 21-22, 2026)

Chapter Leadership Summit is an event hosted for EdTA Chapter Leaders and Board Members.

Leadership Summit Exclusive Shopping Hours at the Drama Bookshop

Chapter Leadership Summit attendees are invited to exclusive shopping hours at the Drama Bookshop, a mainstay of the New York theatre scene and a cultural institution for theatrical works. Check the Leadership Summit schedule for details.

Leadership Summit NYC Scavenger Hunt

Looking for a fun way to explore NYC and connect with fellow Chapter Leaders? Join our NYC Scavenger Hunt!

Anytime from check-in at 9:00am through 3:30pm on Tuesday, teams will travel to various NYC theatre locations and complete a series of creative challenges along the way. You can form your own team, and we encourage each team to include members from more than one chapter—it's a great opportunity to build connections across the network.

There are two ways to win:

  • Winning Team Prize: Awarded to the team that earns the highest score.
  • Raffle: Every participant will be entered into a raffle for an additional prize.

Winners will be announced during the TRW Happy Hour Tuesday evening, and you must be present to claim a prize!

Leadership Summit Happy Hour on the TRW Rooftop

Located at 1180 6th Avenue between 46th & 47th Streets

Join our partner Theatrical Rights Worldwide for a Happy Hour event with special guest Rick Elice!

Rick Elice is the Tony Award–nominated playwright and librettist behind some of Broadway's most beloved productions, including Jersey Boys, The Addams Family, and the Tony Award–winning Peter and the Starcatcher, which earned nine Tony Award nominations and won five. His acclaimed work has helped shape modern musical theatre, with credits spanning Broadway, film, and collaborations with many of the industry's leading artists.

Attendees must display their Leadership Summit attendee badge for entry. For this reason, be sure to check-in for Leadership Summit at Open Jar Studios before going to the Happy Hour event.

Theatre Education Conference (July 22-24, 2026)

TEC Workshop Selection Process

Due to the high demand of workshop sessions and limited seating, TEC attendees are required to pre-select the workshops they would like to attend. This process will help ensure a smoother experience during the conference.

Workshops are available on a first-come, first-served basis and each has a limited capacity. If one of your preferred sessions fills, you'll have the opportunity to choose from many other excellent offerings during the selection process.

To ensure every attendee has a complete conference schedule, anyone who has not made their selections in advance will need to do so at check-in.

TEC attendees should check their email for additional instructions.

Getting Your Workshop Schedule

Once your choices have been recieved and your schedule has been confirmed by the EdTA team, it will populate in the MyPlanner section of the event mobile app. Mobile app instructions are included above. Tickets for each workshop will also be distributed at TEC check-in.

If you are attending TEC as a Partner or Presenter, you are welcome to attend sessions based on availability.

TEC Pre-Conference Activities

TEC attendees have the opportunity to add on Pre-Conference Activities to their registration, which provide additional professional learning and backstage access opportunities. These activities take place Wednesday, July 22 for an additional fee. Limited space is still available — explore options here!

If attending a Pre-Conference Activity, check-in at Open Jar Studios first (check schedule for Registration times). Refer to the TEC schedule for details on your activity's start time and location.

Note: If you are attending Chapter Leadership Summit, add-ons conflict with the Chapter Leadership Summit schedule.

TEC Exclusive Shopping Hours at the Drama Bookshop

TEC attendees are invited to exclusive shopping hours Wednesday morning at the Drama Bookshop, a mainstay of the New York theatre scene and a cultural institution for theatrical works. Check the TEC schedule for details.

Attendees must display their TEC attendee badge for entry. For this reason, be sure to check-in for TEC at Open Jar Studios before going to the exclusive shopping hours.

TEC Welcome Reception at the Museum of Broadway

TEC officially kicks off during the TEC Welcome Reception at the Museum of Broadway, where guests will have the opportunity to explore the museum's iconic costumes, props, and interactive exhibits that bring legendary productions to life. After moving through the exhibit, stay for a glass of wine and light bites before heading out into NYC for the evening.

This event is ticketed by timed-entry. Tickets will be distributed during check-in at Open Jar Studios.

TEC Morning & Afternoon Hospitality

On Thursday and Friday mornings, stop by the lounge in Open Jar Studios for a morning hospitality break and meet some fellow TEC attendees. An afternoon hospitality break will also be offered on Thursday afternoon. Check the schedule for specific times.

Morning and afternoon hospitality is hosted by Uproar Theatrics.

TEC Keynote with Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson

Those assembled for the EdTA Theatre Education Conference are not only cultivating the next generation of theater makers, they are also cultivating the next generation of world shapers, community builders and civic leaders. What does it take to advance this critically important work in challenging times? How can a national community of theater educators and all who support the theater education ecology bolster their work at this crucial moment?

This is a ticketed event. TEC's morning keynote with Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson (National Endowment for the Arts) will take place on both Thursday and Friday mornings. TEC participants will be assigned to attend the keynote on either Thursday or Friday morning, and tickets to your keynote will be available for pickup at check-in. Due to limited seating, participants must attend the keynote they are assigned to.

TEC Sponsor Engagement Lobby

Join TEC’s creative and innovative sponsors to learn more about their available services and upcoming releases. Enjoy complimentary snacks, conversation, and collaboration!

This is a ticketed event. This event will take place on Thursday and Friday mornings opposite our Keynote Session. TEC participants who are not assigned to that day's keynote will receive a ticket to attend the Sponsor Engagement Lobby. Tickets will be available for pickup at check-in.

TEC Invited Lunch with BookTix

Booktix Community Lunch & Innovation Showcase - Thursday, July 23

Join BookTix for a by invitation-only afternoon designed to inspire and transform the way your theater program connects with its audience. Enjoy a catered lunch from Carmine’s, the legendary New York Italian restaurant, hear success stories from current BookTix clients, discover the latest features designed to strengthen audience relationships, and connect with fellow theater educators while experiencing the BookTix community firsthand.

Interested in attending?
Email hello@booktix.com to request an invitation and event location. Space is limited.
 

BookTix Affiliate State Chapters Lunch - Friday, July 24

BookTix is delighted to welcome schools from their affiliate states for an authentic New York Pizza lunch and iconic NY treats, great conversation with fellow theater educators, and the chance to connect with schools from other affiliate states. As always, a special gift for the attendees.

If you're a school in an Affiliate State—whether or not you use BookTix—and would like to join, email hello@booktix.com to RSVP and receive all the event details.

TEC Happy Hour Networking Event with On The Stage

Join On The Stage for Growing Young Artists: Rooftop Garden Party!

Growing Young Artists isn't something any of us do alone. Join fellow theatre educators and the On The Stage team for an evening of networking, drinks, and conversation at SL Rooftop. In a beautiful garden-inspired setting, we'll celebrate the educators who help creativity take root while connecting with peers who share a passion for helping theatre programs thrive.

Whether you're looking to exchange ideas, make new connections, or simply unwind after a full day of conference sessions, we'd love to see you there. Space is limited, please RSVP here.

TEC Late Night Events

Late Night Trivia with MTI & CUR8

Join us for a late-night trivia Wednesday night, sponsored by MTI and CUR8! Test your musical theatre knowledge with MTI-themed trivia, enjoy drinks and appetizers, and compete for fun prizes while connecting with fellow TEC attendees. Come unwind, laugh, and celebrate the theatre community after your show.

Encore Karaoke with Broadway Plus

Then after Thursday evening performances, belt out your favorite showtunes alongside your peers and professional accompanists during Encore Karaoke, sponsored by Broadway Plus. It’s the perfect way to extend the magic of the theatre, have fun, and enjoy a bonus performance of your own after the curtain falls.

Check the TEC schedule for details.

EdTA Awards for Excellence in Theatre Education

Join us for a powerful and celebratory conclusion to the Theatre Education Conference as we honor this year’s recipients of the EdTA Awards for Excellence in Theatre Education.This inspiring ceremony recognizes outstanding educators and leaders whose work is shaping the future of theatre in classrooms and communities across the country.

Hosted by Tony-nominated Lilli Cooper and sponsored by Broadway Plus, the evening will take place at the iconic New Victory Theater, bringing the conference to a meaningful and memorable close.

This is a ticketed event. All registered TEC attendees are invited, though a reservation is required. Your ticket will be distributed during check-in at Open Jar Studios.

Off-Broadway Tickets for Attendees

Any TEC attendee is invited to a complimentary ticket to see the musicsl label•less through Sunday, July 26 with discount code EDUCATOR100. Written and directed by Drew Lachey and his wife, Lea Lachey, the show champions togetherness and acceptance among teens.

Continuing Education Credits

EdTA offers a certificate of participation for attendance at TEC. An email will be sent after TEC with instructions on how to access your certificate of participation.