Inclusion: What Does It Mean to Be “In the Room”?

Inclusion: What Does It Mean to Be “In the Room”?

Author: the Association of Performing Arts Professionals June 28, 2022 Duration: 26:54

The word inclusion is heard a lot in the arts industry, but are we truly inclusive? Episode 1 explores who is and isn't in the room, disability and access, the toll of leading DEI efforts, and choosing which community to serve and why.

Introduction: “Language Barriers” with Claudia Norman, an independent producer, artistic director and cultural worker based in Queens, New York.

Act One: “The First Step” with Lynne Jordan, a Chicago-based singer, band leader, writer and emcee.

Act Two: “Unfiltered” with Michael Sakamoto, the performing arts curator and director of the Asian and Asian-American Arts and culture program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center.

Act Three: “Going In Circles” with Anthony Torres, former trauma therapist and executive director of Combat Hippies, a Miami-based theater group for Puerto Rican military veterans.

You can find a transcript, episode guide and resources related to the themes discussed in episode 1 on APAP’s website: https://apap365.org/podcast/arts-work-life-podcast-season-1-episode-1/

Are you a performing arts worker with a story to tell? Submit it here: https://bit.ly/AWLpodsubmit


Behind every curtain, every rehearsal room, and every touring schedule, there's a complex human story about making a living in creativity. ARTS. WORK. LIFE., produced by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, pulls back that velvet rope to share the candid, often unheard narratives from performers, administrators, technicians, and all the professionals who make the performing arts happen. This isn't about reviewing shows; it's about the realities of the workplace itself-the triumphs, the tensions, the unique culture, and the sheer grit required to sustain a life in this field. Each episode offers a grounded conversation that moves beyond the glamour to explore what it truly means to build a career centered on expression. Through these personal stories, the podcast builds a deeper understanding of the arts as an essential ecosystem of labor and passion. Tune in for honest reflections that resonate with anyone who has ever dedicated themselves to a craft, highlighting the vital intersection where artistic pursuit meets the everyday challenges of work and survival.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

ARTS. WORK. LIFE.
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