There’s No Business Like...

Ep. 46 Bryan Zellmer: Don’t Be Afraid to Show Your Silliness In this episode we continue our special series of interviewing members of our team, and this week Katie and Josh sit down with Bryan. Bryan shares his journey from marketing director to arts admin, how his programming style has shifted as our ecosystem changes, the pitfalls of “quality” art, and his passion for collaboration in every asp...

Ep. 45 How We Conference!   We are fast approaching conference season, and in the episode our hosts talk about their approach to conferencing. Choosing your conference, what to do before you attend, while you are there, and even following up. They even cover some tips on what to pack so you are prepared! You can find highlights, advice, and links in a PDF on our website: https://nobusinesslike.com...

Ep. 44 Ron DeStefano: Too Crazy to Make Up Josh and Danielle sit down with the ever engaging, Ron Destefano. Ron shares his journey in the industry starting with degrees in Music and Chemistry to performing full-time, to starting a management company. We even learn about his connection with Ariana Grande! Our hosts also discuss how important self-awareness, humility, authenticity, and passion are...

Ep. 43 Danielle Van Hook: Comforting, Yet Challenging In this episode we continue our special series of interviewing members of our team, this week Bryan and Katie sit down with Danielle, and finally put her in the hot seat! We learn about the journey that led her to arts administration, where her passion for DEIA comes from and why it’s important to her, how she programs entertainment and keeps i...

Ep. 42 Mason Moss: Be Undeniable In this episode our hosts learn some new (and old) theatre terms in what was definitely not a game and Kevin sits down with Mason Moss. Mason talks about how he got started touring with the Book of Mormon, getting to conduct on Broadway, and gives some incredible advice to those just getting started.   Mason Moss (@bluesinmossflat) is the Music Director for the Boo...

Ep. 41 Jeremy Davis and Clay Johnson: Visionaries and Integrators In this episode our hosts discuss pivotal moments that that led to their careers. Josh and Bryan sit down with Jeremy Davis and Clay Johnson of The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra.  They discuss their beginning in music and how that developed into being lifelong best friends. Jeremy talks about the process of jumping off the cliff into m...

Ep. 40 Josh Benson: Making Time In this episode we do something a little different and interview one of our own! Join Danielle and Kevin as they sit down with fellow host, Josh Benson. Josh answers the hard-hitting questions like which one of the seven dwarves he identifies most with and what prank he wants to pull on his fellow host. Eventually, Josh shares the journey from theatre to autobody wo...

Ep. 39 Andre Bouchard: Erasing Invisibility of Indigenous People In this episode our hosts explore what their own states do or do not have in place from a systemic standpoint for the acknowledgement of Indigenous People that were native to those lands. Danielle sits down for a conversation with Andre Bouchard. Through this conversation we gain insight into not just the importance of land acknowled...

Ep. 38 Chris Fontakis: Be Free to Fail In this episode our hosts discuss their favorite sketch comedy personalities, and Bryan sits down with Chris Fontakis; the founder of Serious Comedy Theater. Chris dives into his history with Upright Citizens Brigade , IO West, and The Groundlings. He also discusses starting his own company and what it meant to start it in a small town like Beacon, New York....

Ep. 37 Neil Murray: Be a Listener In this episode our hosts talk about their favorite concerts, and Josh sits down with an absolute legend, Neil Murray. Neil shares his unlikely path into the theatrical arts, his role as a member of the founding team of the National Theatre of Scotland ( https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/ ), his time as Executive Director of the Abbey Theatre – The National...

Ep. 36 Karoline Myers: Because it is Wonderful This week's episode has our hosts talking about great pieces of family and educational theatre, and Katie sits down with Karoline Myers. Karoline shares her journey in the field, the transition from managing a program to managing a team, and the importance of educational programing. She also reminds us of the power of relationships and networking. Kar...

Ep. 35 Jacob Deaton: Work Hard and Be Patient In this episode we learn about the Quadproducers chores or jobs as a child that they felt instilled a work ethic in them. Meanwhile, Josh sits down with Jacob Deaton and learns how he took advantage of his Sunday service time to learn more about music, how that led to his development of skills as a guitar player.  We also learn how his secret drumset i...

Ep. 34 Leah Keith: Ask More Questions  Bryan sits down with Leah Keith co founder, Creative Producer, and agent for Rhythm of The Arts Producing Agency. We learn of her background as a  Flamenco Dancer and on into her roles as an agent and eventually starting a new agency.  Bryan and Leah dive into the corporate and organizational structure of some large corporate agencies. Leah closes the intervi...

Ep. 33 Adia Morris Swanger: Show Up in Places Where People Don’t Expect You Adia Morris Swanger sits down with Kevin to talk about the business skills needed in the arts and what Springboard for the Arts is doing to help provide those skills. Adia also shares the journey that led her to having a multi-faceted career in the arts and how she manages it all. Our hosts share their onstage mishaps and...

Ep. 32 Bob Bennett: Quality Takes Time   Bob Bennett, and his impressive beard, join Josh for a conversation about Jazz, Jazz St. Louis, and all of the options of being part of the industry outside of performance. Bob talks about how change and growth takes time, vision, and a good team. Our hosts share their spirit/drink of choice, so now you know what to get us when you see us at “the hang” at c...

Ep. 31 Meena Malik: Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up   Katie sits down with Meena Malik to discuss genuine relationship building outside of programming, focusing on the importance of the relationship between arts funders and those they fund or want to fund, the importance of building a relationship when inviting someone to have meaningful and potentially traumatic conversations, and more. Our hosts tal...

Ep. 30 Anthony Wilkinson: You Have to Love What You Do Bryan chats with Anthony Wilkinson about his many paths into and around the performing arts. They talk about his hit show My Big Gay Italian Wedding, his start as a writer in soap operas, his public speaking, and his eventual journey to leading the Avenel Performing Arts Center. Our hosts discuss surprising audience successes, soap operas, and...

Ep. 29 Tracey Lawie: an a-ha moment; a defining moment Today we hear about our "Quadproducers" first Broadway experiences. Then, Josh talks with Tracey Lawie about Booking Broadway, and the importance of representation in the arts.  She discusses the rewarding parts of an art admin position, and how they are based in transformations. Tracey Lawie is the Director of the Miller Auditorium ( https://...

Ep. 28 Jonathan Burns: Making It More Ridiculous Episode 28 starts with our Quadhosts chatting about the weather and then into talking about the presence of our families in our spaces.  Then Bryan sits down with comedic magician Jonathan Burns as they chat about how he got into magic, how some of his funniest bits came about, and his post pandemic view on family and work-life balance.  Information...

Ep. 27 Dan Mann: Career by Accident In this episode, the pod squad debates their preferred handheld chicken preferences and Josh has an engaging interview with Dan Mann! Dan shares his journey to becoming an agent, starting a label and publishing company,  and now producing a TV Show.  Dan Mann is the Owner/Agent at Agency Etc (www.agency-etc.com) in Nashville.  Follow us on social media and let u...

Ep. 26 Mark Wilson: Take Those Risks This week, our hosts take a moment to reflect on teachers who had an impact on their lives. Brian sits down with the energetic, fountain of knowledge, Mark Wilson. They touch on a number of topics, including a masterclass on connecting with your entire community. Mark Wilson is the Executive Director of the Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University (https://zoe...

Ep. 25 Natalie Marrero: Ancestral Keys   On this week's episode, our hosts talk about the impact and their love of people who are passionate about what they do. Josh and Danielle sit down with one of these individuals, Natalie Marerro. Natalie talks about becoming an Executive Director at 23, the impact of Viver Brasil, and the importance of “Ancestral Keys.“ Natalie Marrero is the Executive Direc...

Ep. 24 Jerry and Adrienne Crane-Ross: Get to Know Your Marketplace   In episode 24, our hosts recall adjacent experience that loosely correlated to their current careers, and Josh and Kevin sit down to talk business with Jerry Ross and Adrienne Crane-Ross.  Jerry discusses his path to the industry through being in a band and managing a rehearsal studio while Adrienne recalls her path into the indu...

Ep. 23 EALS: The Future is Bright!    We are joined by the student leaders of the Emerging Arts Leaders Symposium (EALS), Morgan Fuller, Faith Smith, and Lisette DuFore. Katie jumped at the opportunity to chat with the future leaders in our industry to hear what is important to them as they enter the field. Our hosts share what they thought they would be doing when they were still in college, and...

Ep. 22 Dominic Moore-Dunson: Defining Success   On this episode, our hosts talk about safety leading into Danielle’s engaging conversation with Dominic Moore-Dunson. Dominic shares his creative process, including his perspective on how an audience perceives his projects after creation, and how becoming a parent changed the way he was making art. Dominic and Danielle also discuss the act of “trauma...