Inclusive STAGES: Building Healthy Arts Spaces

What if the greatest threat to theater right now isn’t empty seats, but burnout in the arts?

In this solo episode, I open up about the strain so many artists and leaders are facing, and why creative leadership strategies and even AI might hold part of the answer. From admin overload to outdated business models, I share a vision for tools and systems that center care, equity, and sustainability.

This one’s candid, urgent, and full of ...

What if the most powerful tool for change in theater isn’t performance, but conversation?

I sit down with my dad, retired firefighter Fred Cowan, for a candid family conversation about race, theater, equity, and what it takes to build genuine inclusion. From fighting fires in public service to calling out tokenism in the arts, he shares stories of resilience, honesty, and the power of difficult conversations.

This one’s heartfelt and...

What if the most powerful way to confront antisemitism… is by celebrating Jewish joy?

I sit down with actor and singer Ari Axelrod, who shows how Jewish representation in theater goes far beyond casting—it’s about telling the complete story of a community’s history, resilience, and contributions. From calling out double standards in the arts to creating space for genuine, inclusive conversations, Ari blends personal stories with pra...

What if your biggest barrier to belonging in a theater space was the hair that grows naturally out of your head?

In this candid and eye-opening conversation, Jade Buffong-Phillips of Mane Hook-Up shares why textured hair in theater is more than a beauty concern. It’s an issue of equity, access, and care. From backstage realities to industry-wide gaps, Jade unpacks the overlooked details that define whether artists truly feel seen an...

What if the most important thing a leader brings into the room… isn’t a resume, but a sense of culture?

In this thoughtful and timely conversation, Melory Mirashrafi shares why they consider themselves a culture worker first, and how that lens transforms the way we create theater. From Persian epics to Pulitzer-winning plays, Melory unpacks what it takes to build spaces rooted in trust, agency, and care.

This one’s wise, grounded, an...

What if the stories you’re most connected to… are the ones you're being excluded from?

In this important conversation, Mara Jill Herman shares what it means to be a Jewish artist and “artivist” in today’s theater world. From casting bias to creative resistance, she demonstrates how identity, advocacy, and art can intersect powerfully.

This one’s bold, layered, and full of heart.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the show notes...

What if the future of theatre isn’t just about new work, but about new leadership to support it?

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Carewe of Theatre503 in London to explore what inclusive theatre leadership really looks like across the pond, and what we can learn from it. From championing debut playwrights to navigating UK arts funding challenges, Emily offers a refreshingly honest take on how small theatres can lead big change...

What if the tension you’re feeling in the rehearsal room isn’t just about the work, but about how we define harm and discomfort?

In this solo episode, I explore the growing disconnect in creative spaces and share a practical tool, the Stoplight System, to help you tune into your body, name what’s really happening, and respond with care. From personal stories to questions that can shift entire conversations, this episode invites you ...

Most artists crave authenticity, but what happens when the systems we’re trained in ask us to perform instead of feel?

Sound healing artist and singer Davin Youngs joins me to discuss reclaiming one's voice, unlearning perfectionism, and reimagining performance as a space for healing, presence, and transformation. We talk about the ways formal training can limit creative freedom—and how Davin found his way back to joy. 

This epi...

Most theatermakers care about inclusion, but what does it really take to build spaces that center healing, agency, and belonging?

Educator and consultant Maati Wafford joins me to explore how the Montessori method, mental health, and DEI work intersect, and what the arts can learn from this powerful approach. We explore the role of adult accountability, the power of prepared environments, and why curiosity (not control) is the key t...

What really happens in a Broadway audition room, and how do you get remembered down the line, even if you don’t land the role?

Broadway casting director Peter Van Dam joins me to discuss what really goes into casting a show, from open calls that launch careers to the quiet instinct it takes to build a cast that feels right. We explore his journey from a shy kid with a VHS of Mary Poppins to helping shape productions like SIX and Dea...

Most artists are experts at expressing emotions, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been taught how to navigate them offstage.

What does it really mean to build emotionally intelligent spaces in the arts?

Zena Collins, one-third of the Inclusive STAGES team, joins me to unpack emotional intelligence as a powerful tool for creative leaders. We discuss how emotions function as data, why most of us aren’t as self-aware as we think, and how a...

Most creative teams want to build inclusive environments, but without a clear process, things can fall apart quickly.

So, how do we move from intention to action?

In this episode, I’m walking you through the STAGES Framework—the six-step method I created through Art & Soul Consulting to help arts organizations build brave, resilient, and psychologically safe spaces. When artists feel supported, their work isn’t just safer—it’s be...

Most theater companies want to support their artists, but many are missing the mark without realizing it.

What does it actually mean to create psychologically safe spaces in the arts?

There’s a powerful case to be made for prioritizing artists’ mental health—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it strengthens the work. When we center psychological safety in our rehearsal rooms, everyone benefits.

Dr. Charmain Jackm...

I’m so excited to have the opportunity to bring you this conversation with the incredible writing team behind "Finn" - Chris Nee, Chris Dimond, and Michael Kooman - for an inspiring discussion about artistic resistance in the face of political censorship. 

When their critically acclaimed children's musical about a shark who discovers he might be a fish was abruptly canceled at the Kennedy Center following a presidenti...

In this special episode of Inclusive Stages, host Kira Troilo steps into the guest seat for a candid conversation about the evolving landscape of DEI consulting in theater. Interviewed by her husband Jared, Kira unveils her unique approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion work that builds bridges instead of barriers. As a DEI consultant challenging traditional training methods, she shares powerful insights about creating truly i...

Welcome to the Season 2 finale of the Inclusive Stages podcast! 2024 has been a wild ride—it feels like I just started the podcast and it’s surreal to already have two seasons under my belt. Today, I’m going to share my lessons and reflections from 2024 as well as plans for 2025. 

But before we get into it, I want to share my gratitude—for the people who’ve trusted me, who’ve listened to me and the guests that I've brought on, ...

We’re doing things a little differently. My son Levi Troilo joins me today for a very special episode of the Inclusive Stages podcast!

Levi and I love listening to podcasts where parents and children are reading books. We thought it would be fun to read a story and talk about a topic that applies to all kids and adults—the zones of regulation. The zones are especially helpful for improving communication and enabling each of us to ta...

In theater and in the arts world, self advocacy can feel almost impossible, especially for artists who so often feel they’re replaceable. In a lot of ways, that assumption is true and something we as an industry need to work on changing. Being able to advocate for yourself helps lay the groundwork for inclusion. 

Waiting to advocate for yourself can lead to a lot more stress, tension, and negative things that make communication diff...