Inclusive STAGES: Building Healthy Arts Spaces
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.
Inclusive STAGES: Building Healthy Arts Spaces
Why Everyone Pays When You Wait To Self-Advocate
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 difficult. And it leads to issues that can't make for an inclusive environment where people feel safe or supported or empowered.
I recently had a personal experience that made me really stop and consider the best way to advocate for our needs without feeling like you're being difficult or rude. I have a way into this conversation that might sound like it's not theater related, but I encourage you to go with me on this. I promise I'll bring it back to theater quickly!
Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at
https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/why-everyone-pays-when-you-wait-to-self-advocate
Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
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Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.