Cabinet Conversations

Conversations on Creativity, History and Leadership

Join us live as we stream interviews with scholars, artists and other thought leaders as they think aloud about the future of the arts, civics and history. With each conversation, we connect the lessons of the Civil War, Lincoln’s presidency, theatre, arts and education to our contemporary life.

Watch past events on this web page, Facebook Live or YouTube.

Length: 30-60 minutes.

Up Next

Join us in June for our next Cabinet Conversation in celebration of Juneteenth, civics season and bipartisan collaboration. Language of Democracy: Communicating Across the Divide centers on bridging cultural and political divides by facilitating civic discourse. Our guest speakers will demonstrate efforts to bring people from diverse walks of life together in community conversation, engage with others who hold different ideas and opinions and inspire others to seek common ground through art and advocacy.

Past Conversations

April 2, 2024: Earthly and Otherworldly: How the Natural World Inspired a Cult Classic

September 20, 2023: Moving Forward: Reflecting on Civics and Social Justice

October 20, 2022: The Emmett Till Antilynching Act

June 17, 2021: Judy and Dennis Shepard Discuss LGBTQ+ Activism and Healing

May 20, 2021: Page to Stage: Directors Talk Producing at Ford’s Theatre

April 15, 2021: The Crossroads of History, Storytelling and Healing

April 8, 2021: Lincoln: The Great Emancipator?

March 18, 2021: Black Women Leading the Change

March 4, 2021: Lincoln and Leadership

February 25, 2021: Black Voices in American Theatre

January 27, 2021: In Lincoln’s Words: Inaugural Addresses

December 17, 2020: A Christmas Carol: A Holiday Tradition at Ford’s Theatre

November 19, 2020: Let’s Talk Turkey!: Abraham Lincoln and Thanksgiving Traditions

October 22, 2020: “A Hearty Laugh Relieves Me”: Political Humor in Contentious Times

October 8, 2020: Mental Health in Times of Crisis

September 24, 2020: A Discussion About Voting Rights

August 27, 2020: Remembering the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

August 13, 2020: Speak Your Truth, A Conversation on the Representation of Black Voices in the National Story

July 30, 2020: A Reckoning for Confederate Memorials

July 15, 2020: Lessons in Leadership with Carly Fiorina and Sheila Johnson

June 18, 2020: How We Remember and Memorialize the Civil War

June 4, 2020: Interpreting History Through Dramatic Writing and Actor Portrayal

May 20, 2020: Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer