Leandro sits down with Kevin Laibson, a director, producer, and educator working at the edge of live performance and emerging tech, to draw bright, useful lines between AI, VR, and the human heart of theater. Kevin traces the path from cheap, scrappy stages to virtual spaces where physics is optional and paper tech becomes a live demo. He explains why virtual rehearsals can cut late surprises, how actors walking first-day sets in VR changes design conversations, and what the Royal Shakespear...
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Leandro sits down with Kevin Laibson, a director, producer, and educator working at the edge of live performance and emerging tech, to draw bright, useful lines between AI, VR, and the human heart of theater. Kevin traces the path from cheap, scrappy stages to virtual spaces where physics is optional and paper tech becomes a live demo. He explains why virtual rehearsals can cut late surprises, how actors walking first-day sets in VR changes design conversations, and what the Royal Shakespear...
Leandro sits down with Kevin Laibson, a director, producer, and educator working at the edge of live performance and emerging tech, to draw bright, useful lines between AI, VR, and the human heart of theater. Kevin traces the path from cheap, scrappy stages to virtual spaces where physics is optional and paper tech becomes a live demo. He explains why virtual rehearsals can cut late surprises, how actors walking first-day sets in VR changes design conversations, and what the Royal Shakespear...
A great job description doesn’t start with bullet points, it starts with a story. We take you inside our executive search process for Portland Center Stage’s next managing director and show how we craft a job profile that so candidates have a clear idea of what to expect and the opportunities ahead. We talk candidly about the post‑pandemic reality for theaters: season sizes have shifted, revenue mixes have inverted, and audiences and funders behave differently. That’s why we frame the role a...
We welcome Theater Mu’s new artistic director, Fran, and managing director, Anh Thu, for a candid talk about service-driven leadership, sustaining bold art in a tight funding climate, and building trust as co-leaders. The conversation moves from search lessons to advocacy, legacy, and why creating new stories matters for AAPI communities We talk openly about money from sunsetting grants, consolidating foundations, and why “profit for nonprofit” thinking matters when artist labor is too often...
What if adding more leaders isn’t the solution—and sometimes makes things worse? We dig into the real work behind shared leadership in nonprofit arts with guests Devon Berkshire and Miranda Gonzalez, tracing why so many theaters moved beyond the traditional AD/MD model and what it actually takes to decentralize power without breaking your culture. We follow the arc of this conversation in organizations from trend to practice, unpacking the difference between shared leadership and shared respo...
The lines between artificial intelligence and art are vanishing faster than expected. In this episode, Leandro discusses OpenAI’s bold new project Critterz—an animated feature film produced in just nine months, with a fraction of the usual budget and team size. By blending human creativity with AI-driven production, Critterz shows how technology is reshaping not just efficiency, but the very future of storytelling.
Caregiving and creative careers have long been treated as incompatible worlds, forcing artists and arts administrators to choose between their passion and their families. Rachel Spencer-Hewitt, founder of the Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL), is challenging this false dichotomy through groundbreaking advocacy work. This eye-opening conversation delves into Rachel's personal journey from hiding her pregnancy as a Broadway actor to creating a national organization that's transforming how t...
When the National Endowment for the Arts abruptly terminated funding for organizations across the country in what became known as the "Friday Night Massacre," many arts leaders wondered if federal arts funding could be trusted again. In this eye-opening conversation, arts entrepreneur and consultant David Mack shares his journey through nonprofit arts management and his recent encounter with NEA leadership. Check out David's website to learn more about him and his business: https:...
As summer winds down, the EMC crew reflects on their summer and the upcoming fall. We discuss what we're watching out for in the arts and culture sector including a lawsuit, technology, and the changing nature of leadership roles in a new world. We also give candidates and clients some tips and advice that clients and job candidates alike should be thinking about for the near and long term future. Finally, we end telling you what we're excited about ahead in pop culture. Hint - Cardi B might ...
In this episode, Leandro and Al dive into the groundbreaking albums of The Velvet Sundown, a synthetic music project shaped by human imagination and guided by artificial intelligence. We explore not just the music itself, but also what it reveals about the evolving future of art-making. Can A.I. help us express what makes us most human? Don’t miss the final chapter in our A.I. series, where we unpack the next phase of creativity, content, and the ever-shifting line between human and mach...
In this episode, Leandro reveals how he keeps up with the latest news and updates about artificial intelligence. He discusses the various A.I. platforms he uses, his go to influencer for coding tips, and the number one thing you can do to improve your A.I. game and knowledge.
In this episode, we explore how our understanding of AI has evolved in just a few short months—shaped by new breakthroughs, public debates, and hands-on experience. From early optimism and hype to a more nuanced grasp of AI’s capabilities and limitations, we unpack what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how these shifts are influencing the way we work, learn, and imagine the future. We discuss ways in which we have seen A.I. deployed and what that means for the future or work and product...
Welcome back to the EMC Podcast! After taking July to recharge and map out our fall season, we’re kicking off August with a topic that’s everywhere all at once: Artificial Intelligence. This month, we’re diving deep into how our team is exploring A.I., how the technology has rapidly evolved in just the past few months, and practical ways you can stay ahead of the curve. Expect insights, strategies, and tips to make sure you’re not just keeping up, but you’re leading the conversation. In this ...
In this episode, we delve into Al Heartley's thought-provoking piece, "For Leaders, Power Is Part of the Job," exploring the nuanced role of executive power in leadership. Heartley challenges the notion that power is merely about control, positing instead that it's about the courage to make decisions and accept their consequences. Through real-world examples, including the complexities faced by nonprofit leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic and the expansive use of executive authority in poli...
It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through 2025. In this episode, Al is joined by co-hosts Tiff and Leandro for a reflective roundtable on the year so far. From unexpected shifts in the arts and culture sector to global trends and economic forecasts, the trio unpacks what’s gone as expected—and what’s taken them by surprise. We tackle big topics like the NEA funding cuts, the economic uncertainty facing organizations, and tensions between artists and audiences about what kind of art resonates...
This week, Leandro and Al hit the road and land in Washington, DC for a site visit with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, where they’re kicking off the search for their next artistic director. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on what happens during a site visit and why these on-the-ground moments are so essential to their work. From learning a city's cultural landscape to picking up cues that go far beyond Zoom calls, Leandro and Al share stories and strategies that shape their appro...
In this episode, Al dives into the evolving landscape of theater leadership, inspired by reading and reflecting on his blog article "12 Artistic Directors and 1 Production: Advancing the Shared Leadership Model." Traditionally, theaters have operated under singular leadership structures, often placing immense pressure on one individual to fulfill multiple roles. However, as the demands of the industry grow and the call for equity and collaboration intensifies, a shift towards shared leadershi...
This week, we’re talking numbers and the numbers don’t lie. The Broadway League just released its year-end report for the 2024–2025 season, and it’s official: Broadway is back. With a record-breaking $1.89 billion in grosses and 14.7 million in total attendance, this was the most lucrative season ever. That’s worth celebrating not just for Broadway, but for the arts and culture sector as a whole. In this episode, Tiffany, Al, and LZ break down what’s behind the boom. Was it star power? Calend...
In this candid conversation, Al and Managing Partner Tiffany Vega dive deep into the challenges of today’s job market. From endless application processes and the frustration of ghosting to the shifting expectations around skills, branding, and networking this episode explores why finding meaningful work feels harder than ever. They also discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, why graduate programs have failed the arts management field, and what employers and candidates can do differently t...
Why does it take six months and 17 interviews to land a job, but the Vatican can choose a Pope in under a week? In this episode of Moving Forward, Al dives into the time-tested, meme-worthy, and surprisingly effective process the Catholic Church uses to elect a new Pope. From black smoke to bulletproof planning, Al explores what the modern workplace can learn from a 2,000-year-old organization that runs its executive searches like a sacred ritual.
Curious about artificial intelligence but unsure where to begin? In this episode, we break down how to take your first steps with A.i as it starts to integrate into the arts ecosystem. Whether you're a creative or an arts executive, you'll get approachable insights and practical tips to start experimenting with A.i. tools in a way that fits your goals. Plus Leandro tells us what he's watching this week - HBO Max's The Rehearsal.
Leandro sits down with Kevin Laibson, a director, producer, and educator working at the edge of live performance and emerging tech, to draw bright, useful lines between AI, VR, and the human heart of theater. Kevin traces the path from cheap, scrappy stages to virtual spaces where physics is optional and paper tech becomes a live demo. He explains why virtual rehearsals can cut late surprises, how actors walking first-day sets in VR changes design conversations, and what the Royal Shakespear...
