Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast

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 combatin...

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 discus...

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 ga...

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 d...

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 re...

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 sp...

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...

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 f...

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...

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 instit...

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 theate...

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...

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...

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 Co...

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 m...

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;...

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 ar...

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...

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 pr...