EDUCATION SERIES
Embracing Arlington Arts also produces a Theater/Arts Management Education podcast series that features special topics of interest that we delve into in much greater detail. The goal is to create a better understand about the performing arts among patrons, students and other interested parties.
This series is comprised of a 5-part “Artistic Director STEAM AHEAD” series featuring the Artistic Directors of the most successful theater organizations in the DC region who imparted their insight and wisdom about the performing arts industry. Those featured were Maria Manuela Goyanes, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company’s; Eric Schaeffer, Signature Theatre; Molly Smith, Arena Stage; Ryan Rilette, Round House Theatre; and Chil Kong, Adventure Theatre. These stellar professionals answered questions about their careers, their respective theater organizations, insight into the day-to-day running of a theater, changes they have noticed in the industry over the last decades and much more.
A major impediment to achieving more diversity in the arts and culture industry is that while all agree that concrete changes must be made, there has been a lack of insight into how and what these changes should entail to garner results. Therefore, in order to help theaters and their leaders achieve their goals of greater cultural equity and diversity, Embracing Arlington Arts is planning to offer a comprehensive training and educational project for non-profit arts organizations on best practices for achieving better cultural equity – a MUST for the long-term viability of the arts sector. This multi-episode podcast series on diversity. Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) leaders are asked their thoughts on the most important changes needed in the arts industry to make it more equitable. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) experts would then provide concrete action items using case studies, tools, leadership initiatives, etc. to help arts organizations achieve more diversity and based on the changes needed cited by the BIPOC leaders.
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”) being presented by Mosaic Theater Company, 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 Educational Podcast Series features three distinguished researchers in the field from George Mason University who updated us on the latest research and studies on the health benefits of the arts for all community sectors.
Artistic Director Podcast Education Series
Chil Kong speaks from the heart about the importance of children’s theater in the DMV and in forming adult theater patrons in this interview. 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.
Artistic Director Podcast Education Series
Ryan Rilette responds to several questions in this interview including: 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? Enjoy this wide-ranging interview with Ryan.
Artistic Director Podcast Education Series
Eric Schaeffer gives advice in this podcast interview to young adults who want to open and manage a theater and responds to several questions like: What are some of the joys of running a theater? What is one priority he has when casting shows? And a lot more.
Artistic Director Podcast Education Series
Maria Manuela Goyanes 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.
Artistic Director Podcast Education Series
Molly Smith imparted 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.
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
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.”
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
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.”
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
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.”
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
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.”
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
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.
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
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.”
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
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.”
Diversity and Cultural Equity Podcast Series
The Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre 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.”
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice – Theaters Keeping the Conversation Going – A Podcast Education Series
Reginald Douglas, Artistic Director is honored and thrilled to be presenting this trilogy of plays during his first season as Artistic Director at Mosaic Theater Company. 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.
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice – Theaters Keeping the Conversation Going – A Podcast Education Series
Antonio Michael Woodard, Actor (“Emmett Till”) 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.
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice – Theaters Keeping the Conversation Going – A Podcast Education Series
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.
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice – Theaters Keeping the Conversation Going – A Podcast Education Series
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.
Health Benefits of the Arts Podcast Education Series
Dr. Thalia Goldstein from George Mason University’s Applied Developmental Psychology Department has had years of experience examining the health benefits of the arts for children and students. Among some of the findings: students with arts in their curriculum have higher academic grades, better test scores, less absenteeism (which leads to decreased hunger), better social skills and more expertise in collaborative work than those students without the arts. “The arts provide a safe and contained space to explore your emotions and a pathway to explore your sense of self and emotional outbursts,” Goldstein stated during the interview when explaining how children benefit.
Health Benefits of the Arts Podcast Education Series
Dr. Niyati Dhokai, the Director of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative Program at George Mason University, expounded on the many benefits art therapies provide our nation’s military members in this interview. Among some of the observed impacts on Veterans receiving music and other art therapies were more feelings of relaxation and well-being, ability to talk more confidently, and providing a sense of safe space. “Overall, the arts provide an opportunity for military members, their children, caregivers and other family members come together,” Dhokai explained. “The arts also enhance relaxation and spur interaction among all family members.”
Health Benefits of the Arts Podcast Education Series
Dr. Jatin Ambegaonkar, the Associate Professor at GMU’s College of Education and Human Development who has conducted much research on dance and movement therapy, especially for seniors. Among the many benefits are allowing these older adults the opportunity to remain active members of this community physically, mentally and spiritually. Dance also helps with fall risks, better balance, and less depression. Dr. Ambegaonkar summed up the benefits in this interview with “the arts foster well-being by creating community. Arts are not competitive – meaning you are not competing for the arts, but rather engaging with people for the arts.”