Theatre education has shaped every chapter of my life, guiding me from childhood stages in Houston to my current role as co-executive director of Theatre Communications Group (TCG). My earliest training began with community theatre classes, where I learned the fundamentals of acting, ensemble play, and creative exploration. Those experiences introduced me to the joy of performance and the discipline required to pursue it seriously. When my family moved to Atlanta, I continued on this path—joining the thespian society, attending Pebblebrook High School’s Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, and participating in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program, all of which deepened my understanding of storytelling and artistic rigor.
Carrying that passion with me to the Theatre School at DePaul University, I received a BFA in acting. DePaul provided the rigorous conservatory training that shaped my artistic foundation and prepared me to work in a range of theatrical environments. During my undergraduate years, I returned home each summer to intern at Jomandi Productions in Atlanta and the Ensemble Theatre in Houston—two BIPOC theatres whose artistry and community-centered missions profoundly influenced my view of what theatre can be. At Jomandi, I gained experience backstage and in administrative roles, while my internship at the Ensemble Theatre expanded my awareness of culturally rooted storytelling and the impact of Black theatres on their communities.
After graduating, I began working professionally in Chicago while navigating the realities of early-career life that many young theatre artists face. My journey ultimately brought me back to Atlanta, where a pivotal moment reshaped my path. After joining True Colors Theatre Company in the fundraising department, I was offered an understudy role at a major regional theatre. The choice before me—to continue pursuing performance or to step fully into a new trajectory of arts leadership—was transformative. I chose to move forward with the latter path, discovering that the creativity, playfulness, and risk-taking at the heart of theatre were just as essential in building relationships, galvanizing support, and strengthening organizations.
Through these experiences, I learned how nonprofit organizations strengthen communities and how the arts can be a catalyst for civic engagement and social transformation. Pairing my love for the performing arts with a calling to serve the field ultimately became the foundation of my commitment to theatre’s future.
This issue of American Theatre focuses on theatre education, a subject that is both personal to me and essential to the future of our field. Education in the theatre takes many forms: community classes, conservatory training, mentorship, internships, and the countless spaces where young people discover their creative voices. Just as in every professional sector, a strong and equitable educational pipeline is critical to longevity. These varied pathways cultivate the next generations of theatremakers, leaders, and advocates. At TCG, we are closely following trends in theatre education because the strength and sustainability of our entire theatre ecology depend on how well we nurture and support these pathways.
This summer, I had the privilege of visiting PlayMakers Repertory Company’s Summer Youth Conservatory in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where the staff are supporting students in their journey to shape the future of our field. My fellow co-executive director, Alisha Tonsic, served as a keynote panelist on advocacy at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education’s conference, engaging with higher ed leaders about the complex challenges facing arts programs today. And we are proud to partner with the University of Puerto Rico for TCG’s 2026 National Conference, taking place June 10-13 in San Juan. You are invited to join students, educators, administrators, artists, and designers who will gather to learn, collaborate, and envision the future of theatre together!
At TCG, I remain deeply committed to ensuring that theatre remains relevant for future generations. If you are reading this magazine, we look forward to being in community with you, actively listening to our broad coalition of theatre workers, and together strengthening our shared ecology. Theatre education changed the course of my life, and I am certain that, as you continue to support TCG’s work, we will shape the leaders, artists, and audiences of tomorrow—together.
LaTeshia Ellerson is TCG’s co-executive director, national engagement.
