Inclusive STAGES: Building Healthy Arts Spaces

By Kira Troilo, Theater Consultant & Facilitator of Brave Creative Spaces

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Description

Inclusive STAGES™ is the podcast for theater makers, creatives, and arts leaders who believe we can build a better industry—one brave, emotionally intelligent, and trauma-informed space at a time. Hosted by Kira Troilo, founder of Art & Soul Consulting, each episode explores what it really takes to create inclusive, healthy creative environments in today’s rapidly changing performing arts landscape.


Whether you're a theater artist, an arts administrator, an educator, a creative leader, or a producer, this show will help you answer big questions like:


What is inclusive leadership in the arts, and how do I practice it?


How can performing arts organizations promote diversity and inclusion?


What does “representation matters” mean in theater and beyond?


How can venues make performances more accessible?


What tools do I need to lead with care—and still make bold, brilliant work?


Through honest conversations, industry insights, and practical tools, Inclusive STAGES™ empowers you to reduce burnout, dismantle harmful norms, and build the kinds of creative spaces where everyone can thrive.


New episodes every week. Follow now and join the movement toward healthier, more sustainable arts spaces.


Episode Date
Talking to Closeted Trump Supporters—Why Theater Must Try
Sep 02, 2025
Burnout Is Breaking Us — Here’s the Pivot Arts Leaders Need
Aug 26, 2025
Family Meeting: Race, Theater & Fighting Fires—Onstage and Off
Aug 19, 2025
Post October 7: Jewish Theater Identity and Hard Conversations w/ Ari Axelrod
Aug 12, 2025
Why We Still Can’t Find a Stylist Who Gets Our Hair with Jade Buffong-Phillips
Aug 05, 2025
Making Culture, Not Just Theater with Melory Mirashrafi
Jul 29, 2025
Jewish Joy and "Artivism" with Mara Jill Herman
Jul 22, 2025
New Work Needs New Leadership: What We Can Learn from Across the Pond
Jul 15, 2025
Harm or Discomfort? How Artists Tell the Difference
Jul 08, 2025
Freeing Your Voice & Reimagining “Traditional” Arts Spaces w/ Davin Youngs
Jul 01, 2025
What Can We Learn from the Montessori Way
Jun 24, 2025
Can Casting Directors Be Inclusive? with Peter Van Dam
Jun 17, 2025
What Are Emotionally Intelligent Creative Spaces? with Zena Collins
Jun 10, 2025
What Are Brave Creative Spaces? (Using the STAGES Framework)
Jun 03, 2025
What Are Trauma-Informed Creative Spaces? w/ Dr. Jackman
May 27, 2025
When a President Attacks a Musical
May 20, 2025
White House Declares DEI Dead: Here's My Take
Feb 18, 2025
Let's Get Real: Hard Lessons of 2024
Dec 17, 2024
Communicating Our Feelings Through Stories & Zones with Levi Troilo
Dec 10, 2024
Why Everyone Pays When You Wait To Self-Advocate
Dec 03, 2024
Solving Big World Problems with Inclusive Storytelling with Julie Ann Crommett
Nov 26, 2024
3 Black Women, 3 Takes: Inclusion Work in 2024
Nov 19, 2024
The View from the Pit with Music Director Dan Rodriguez
Nov 12, 2024
Why ‘Brave Spaces’ In Theater Should Be Non-Negotiable
Nov 05, 2024
Run a Thriving Arts Business in a Post-Pandemic Era with Aubrey Bergauer
Oct 29, 2024
Inclusive By Design: Costumes, Hair & Working with Gen Z
Oct 15, 2024
EDI That Actually Works for Theater Culture Change with Alexa Smith
Oct 08, 2024
The #1 Missing Skill in the Theater Industry
Oct 01, 2024
Reclaiming Agency & Naming the Elephant in the Room with Jennifer Apple
Sep 24, 2024
In the Room Where It Happens: Politics & Parenting with Jared Dixon
Sep 17, 2024
Hiring Black Artists? Consider These 5 Key Things First
Sep 10, 2024
Relationships, Race, & Reviving Curiosity with Jared Troilo
Jun 25, 2024
We Know How To Fix the Entertainment Industry
Jun 18, 2024
Why I Needed to Retire from Acting (For Now)
Jun 11, 2024
Ups & Downs of B'way Behind-the-Scenes & Reclaiming “Fat” w/ Katy Geraghty
Jun 04, 2024
Transitioning, Type-Casting & Learning from Each Other Offstage
May 28, 2024
How To Create an Inclusive Rehearsal Room Culture
May 21, 2024
Beyond Accessibility: Disability Representation in Theater with Brennan Srisirikul
May 14, 2024
Consent-Forward Practices & Care-Forward Leadership with Leigh Barrett
May 07, 2024
Tour Life & EDI Conversations with Aaron Michael Ray
Apr 30, 2024
Setting Boundaries Behind the Scenes for Racism On Stage
Apr 23, 2024
Dangers of DEI Work Gone Wrong
Apr 16, 2024
Broadway Bodies: Industry Bias and Dreamgirls with Ryan Donovan
Apr 09, 2024
The Power of Support and Color Conscious Storytelling with Corbin Bleu
Apr 02, 2024
Inclusion Consultants and Why Every Show Needs One
Apr 02, 2024
Setting the Stage: Introducing Kira Troilo
Apr 02, 2024
Welcome to Inclusive Stages
Mar 26, 2024