Up Next: Ted Koppel with Amna Nawaz
Revisit the stories behind history’s biggest headlines with a legendary journalist who also happens to be The Forum’s first-ever speaker. Season subscriptions are still available.
EXPLORE THE 2025 – 2026 SEASON
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Ted Koppel with Amna Nawaz
40 Years: Moments That Mattered
November 22, 2025 -
Sanna Marin
Europe’s Next Generation
January 17, 2026 -
Joe Manchin, Andrew Yang, & Justin Amash
The Two-Party Problem
February 21, 2026 -
Tracee Ellis Ross
On Identity, Impact, & Joy
March 21, 2026 -
John Green
Perpetually Curious
April 18, 2026
Program Recap: Andrew Ross Sorkin
What really brought Wall Street to its knees in 1929? And could it happen again?
In a gripping evening of insight and storytelling, bestselling author and financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin connected the speculative frenzy of the Roaring Twenties to the financial systems of today, revealing unsettling parallels and offering a powerful reflection on risk, psychology, and the seductive illusion that “this time is different.”
This special program supported the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative, which empowers local students to speak with confidence, think critically, and lead with conviction. As Richmond prepares to host the 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament, your attendance helped ensure more young voices have the chance to be heard.
Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative
In 2018 — recognizing the absence of speech & debate programs or inadequate funding in most of the region’s public schools — The Richmond Forum launched an initiative to implement, grow, and support these essential programs.
The goal of the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative is for every public middle and high school in the region to have competitive speech & debate programs by 2025, the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s speech, delivered right here in Richmond.
Who has spoken at The Forum?
More than 240 distinguished speakers have participated in The Forum since its inception in 1987. Our list of alumni includes past U.S. presidents, sitting heads of state, and leaders from the sciences, arts, business, and more.
THANK you to this season’s lead patrons
Join us this season
Subscriptions for the 2025 – 2026 season are now available! A flexible online subscription allows you to choose how you view each program, either virtually from anywhere in the world or by using our subscriber-exclusive Ticket Marketplace to snag available seats in the theater. Plus, you’ll be first in line for available theater subscriptions in the future.