Theater/Arts Management Education Series Podcast
Janet Kopenhaver
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JUST RELEASED - our fourth education series - "Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keeping the Conversation Going." This Theater/Arts Management Education series focuses not only on the exciting premiere of a rotating repertory production of the Emmett Till Trilogy of plays (“The Ballad of Emmett Till,” “That Summer in Sumner,” and “Benevolence”), but also to embellish and continue the conversation about racial justice in our nation today and how the theater industry is and should be spurring those discussions. Interviews were conducted with four partners who are making this series of plays possible. We will hear their insight and views on the continued impact of this critical event in our country’s history. This show is a component of the weekly podcast "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" which highlights artists, dancers, directors, dignitaries and everyone in between each week. Follow us on ApplePodcast, AppleMusic, Spotify or GooglePodcast so you don't miss any new series! More info on all our podcast available at www.embracing-arlington-arts.org.
Available episodes
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Sep 27, 2022
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Reginald Douglas, Artistic Director
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keep the Conversation Going Education Series - Episode 3: Reginald Douglas, Artistic Director is honored and thrilled to be presenting this trilogy of plays during his first season as Artistic Director. He expresses his strong belief that the theater industry plays a big role in spurring audience members to become active and energized about combating racial injustice. "I do think that art is action. It sparks dialogue about our community, makes people think and to take action." He stresses also that this series of plays centers on love and empathy and allows audience members to learn and feel the humanity behind the Till family. Reginald concludes with his hopes for what the Till family members will think and say after seeing the shows.
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Sep 27, 2022
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Antonio Michael Woodard, Actor
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keep the Conversation Going Education Series - Episode 3: Antonio Michael Woodard, Actor considers portraying Emmett Till in the upcoming Till Trilogy of play series an honor and a responsibility to humanize this young man. He also firmly believes that theater is always been a catalyst for change and spurring conversations about important social issues in our nation. According to Antonio, these plays mirror exactly where we are today and the fact that people must remember this story so it cannot be repeated. His final thoughts: "You can't get where you're going until you look back." Very insightful and thought-provoking conversation with Antonio that we are glad to offer listeners.
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Sep 27, 2022
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Ifa Bayeza Playwright
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keep the Conversation Going Education Series - Episode 1: Ifa Bayeza, Playwright wrote this series of plays to “celebrate the joy and majesty of this family.” She summarizes each of the three plays, what she wanted to focus on for each and tells us about some interesting factoids she found out about Emmett during her research. Ms. Bayeza also discusses her hopes for how audiences will respond after seeing the shows. “I challenge our contemporary audiences to think about what we are going to do. If the Till saga was the spark of the Civil Rights movement, I hope to stimulate sparks in audience members,” she concludes in this interview.
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Sep 27, 2022
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Talvin Wilks, DIrector
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keeping the Conversation Going - Episode 2: Talvin Wilks, Director talks about how important this series of plays is to understand the significant impact of the Emmett Till murder in our nation's history. He also expounds on the importance of the media in bringing visibility to the injustices of racism, but questions "why does it take an image to gain people's attention?" Also hear his hopes about what audiences will say about the production series and how the theater industry helps spur and continue these critical discussions.
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Sep 23, 2021
Arts Health Benefits Education Series - Dr. Niyati Dhokai, GMU
Arts Health Benefits Education Series - Episode 2: Dr. Niyati Dhokai, the Director of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative Program at George Mason University talks about how effective music therapy is for Veterans returning from active duty, battling PTSD and other injuries, and how their families and children benefit from these sessions. Among some of the benefits achieved are more feelings of relaxation, improved sense of well-being, more effective social interaction skills and the development of a sense of comfort outside the rehab center. Also find out what additional research she is working on and what areas she sees necessitate additional study.
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Sep 23, 2021
Arts Health Benefits Education Series - Dr. Thalia Goldstein, GMU
Arts Health Benefits Education Series - Episode 1: Dr. Thalia Goldstein from George Mason University's Applied Developmental Psychology Department, talked about the many studies providing strong evidence on the benefits of being involved in theater and children developing social and emotional understanding and empathy. Also learn how visual arts, music and dance helps children of all ages. Less detention issues, higher school attendance, better grades and test scores, more regulated emotions, being able to express themselves in a healthy way, and better social skills are only some the benefits of theatrical activity for children.
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Sep 23, 2021
Arts Health Benefits Education Series - Dr. Jatin Ambegaonkar
Arts Health Benefits Education Series - Episode 3: Dr. Jatin Ambegaonkar, Associate Professor at the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University gives us the updates in the research field on the many benefits of dance and movement therapy for seniors. Overall, dance allows for healthy aging or seniors remaining active members of their community physically, mentally and spiritually. Also learn about recent studies done in the movement therapy field, work that still needs to be done and his overall advice and views with respect to dance and seniors. Very enlightening interview!
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Oct 13, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - EDI Voice Dr. Monica Almond
EDI Consultant Dr. Monica Almond, Founder and CEO of The Almond Group, offers valuable and critical advice to non-profit arts organizations on achieving more diversity. From her insight on the pros and cons of training to her guarded views on the term BIPOC to first steps on developing diversity plans, Monica's responses can easily help steer organizations in an effective direction on the equity front. Also learn more about measurable parameters, requirement for White American Theater leaders to go outside your circle and how progress should be evaluated on the diversity front. Every non-profit organization who acknowledges they need to change should listen to this interview.
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Oct 13, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - EDI Voice Ouida Maedel
Ouida Maedel, Theater Specialist at the National Endowment for the Arts packs so much useful and specific advice in this interview. On the topics of creating more diverse Boards to making concrete changes to complement written statements of support, Ouida offers specific and easy actions White American Theaters can take now to start effecting results on the diversity issue. She also offers advice on training and special insight into the role of non-profit organizations in our nation. Reminding listeners that during this pandemic is the perfect time to start strategically planning for more equity, her specific best practices examples provide theater leaders excellent first steps. She states: There is no better time for strategic planning, radical collaboration and bold visioning for the future of the industry.
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Oct 13, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - EDI Voice Lisa Richards Toney
Lisa Richards Toney, President of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals provides such insightful and unique responses to the issue of cultural equity in the theater industry, as well as responds to certain demands made by our BIPOC leaders in this series. Lisa offers several "first steps" for White American Theater leaders to take to start making progress, the importance of BIPOC voices at the decisionmaking table, advice on getting more (and not just one) BIPOC Board members, and how critical it is to offer paid internships to theater students. There is a lot to unpack in this interview. One major point Lisa makes: "We need to make sure out arts organizations are a safe space for BIPOC people and leaders to exist equitably."
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Oct 6, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - BIPOC Voice Chil Kong
The Artistic Director of Adventure Theater Chil Kong is certainly doing everything he can to display and instill best diversity practices, as detailed in this interview. Find out how he is improving himself, as well as core advice he offers his Artistic Director peers as first steps in improving cultural equity in their organizations. Also learn what he believes are the core problems in the theater industry, including foundational issues, as well as how DC Artistic Directors of Color work together on picking apart the issues that are impacting them and his demands for a more fair and respectful community. A very honest portrayal of an Artistic Director doing the right things. One important piece of advice for Artistic Directors: "Figure out how to be humble."
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Oct 6, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - BIPOC Voice Raymond Caldwell
The Artistic Director of Theater Alliance Raymond Caldwell, a leading voice in the BIPOC Community, discussed the foundational problems obstructing better diversity in the DC performing arts world. Citing a severe lack of BIPOC representation on theater Boards, extremely low number of BIPOC personnel in arts leadership roles, and organization mission statements and charters that make no references to anti-racism, Raymond outlines institutional problems that need to be fixed immediately. He also offers demands and marks of success that must happen to keep theater healthy, fair and equitable for the BIPOC community. Raymond's important piece of advice for listeners: "We have to make diversity happen. It will not happen on its own."
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Oct 6, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - BIPOC Voice Elena Velasco
The Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Convergence Theatre Elena Velasco has been a leading BIPOC voice in the theater industry for years. She cites three major problems that need to be addressed before there is equity in the theater industry: tokenism, appropriation and representation. Elena stresses that relationships with professionals of color need to built, measurable goals need to be instituted and specific actions need to be taken, not just statements. One easy change - mentorships and making sure the next generation is the voice to demand diversity changes. Bottom line Elena states: "How do you feel welcome in a space where you don't see yourself or hear yourself."
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Oct 6, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - BIPOC Voice Deb Sivigny
Scenic and costume designer Deb Sivigny, a leading voice in the BIPOC Community, detailed her views on the diversity problems in the DC performing arts industry. From economic implications of low-paying internships to consistently presenting shows about black trauma to lack of BIPOC in theater management positions to holding theater accountable to their Black Lives Matter statements, Deb provides listeners with much into these problems. She also offers some demands and marks of success that must happen to keep theater healthy, fair and equitable for the BIPOC community. One important piece of advice for listeners: "Acknowledge your position and what you are going to do personally about the problem. Lots to consider and think about in this interview."
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Oct 6, 2020
Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - BIPOC Voice Natalie Graves Tucker
Natalie Graves Tucker, CEO of the multicultural marketing firm NGT Consulting and Founder of Blackstage DC offers another BIPOC voice in our Diversity series. Citing major marketing disconnects and primarily white audiences, Natalie points to several changes that need to be made, with transparency in hiring and season planning topping the list. She also talks about the work of the Black Artists Coalition that aims to work with theaters in DC to think outside the box with respect to casting decisions, assisting with season planning, offering education and cultural sensitivity programs and workshops and many other initiatives to make the industry more equitable. Her uplifting thoughts: "I'm hopeful that theaters will take this time with no productions to actually learn from what they are saying (with their statements of support) and move forward in a positive direction."
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Mar 2, 2020
Artistic Director Education Series - Chil Kong, Adventure Theatre
Chil Kong, the Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre, speaks from the heart about the importance of children's theater in the DMV and in forming adult theater patrons in this "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" interview. Appearing as a featured guest as part of our five-part "Artistic Directors STEAM Ahead" series starring the five most successful theaters in the DC region, Chil talks about his multi-faceted film and theater career, diversity challenges in the performing arts industry, how children benefit from exposure to theater and much more. Also hear his unique description of those working in the industry. Very entertaining and insightful interview.
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Feb 25, 2020
Artistic Director Education Series - Molly Smith, Arena Stage
The Artistic Director of Arena Stage Molly Smith was a featured guest on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast as part of our five-part "Artistic Directors STEAM Ahead" series starring the five most successful theaters in the DC region. Hear her very insightful advice for listeners interested in an arts management career; learn about her own journey and successes in the theater profession; what changes she has witnessed in theater productions, and much more. What an honor to interview Molly who has broken so many glass ceilings for women in the theater management world in the DC region.
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Feb 25, 2020
Artistic Director Education Series - Ryan Rilette, Round House Theatre
Ryan Rilette, the Artistic Director of Round House Theatre appeared on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast as part of our five-part "Artistic Directors STEAM Ahead" series starring the five most successful theaters in the DC region. Why are the arts important? How is he making the theater more representative of the community where they are located? What is critical to succeeding in an arts management career? Answers to those questions and much more are included in this wide-ranging interview with Ryan.
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Feb 25, 2020
Artistic Director Education Series - Eric Schaeffer, Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer was a featured guest on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast as part of our five-part "Artistic Directors STEAM Ahead" series starring the five most successful theaters in the DC region. What advice does Eric give young adults who want to open and manage a theater? What are some of the joys of running a theater? What is one priority he has when casting shows? And find out about two upcoming world premieres being presented by Signature. Honored to have had this opportunity to interview such a successful professional!
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Feb 19, 2020
Artistic Director Education Series - Maria Manuela Goyanes, Woolly Mammoth
Maria Manuela Goyanes, the Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company talks from the heart about her career in arts management in this interview. Talking directly to young listeners, she offers unique advice about the industry, insight into this job choice, joys and hurdles of running a theater company and whether she would recommend a career in arts management. Also learn her views on progress made on the diversity front both on and off the stage. This interview is part of a five-part "Artistic Director STEAM AHEAD" podcast series being aired this winter.
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