Paying it Forward

Paying it Forward

Author: the Association of Performing Arts Professionals August 26, 2025 Duration: 28:33

Almost all of us have a mentor who shaped our path—a teacher, a family member, or even someone miles away. In the finale of season four, we explore what happens when creatives step into that role and give back to the next generation. From sharing skills to offering encouragement, we discover how mentoring can be just as transformative—and sometimes even more fulfilling—than creating our own work.

INTRO & ACT ONE: “Passing the Mic” with Dumisani “Dumi RIGHT” Ndlovu, a performance artist and educator working in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

ACT TWO: “Stepping Stones” with Julie Opiel, the Director of Education and Community Engagement at BodyTraffic in Los Angeles, California.

ACT THREE: “Freedom to Lead" with Alex Ketley and Bill Clark, two performance artists and educators collaborating in Vacaville, California.

You can find a full transcript and more on APAP’s website: https://apap365.org/podcast/

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.
Podcast Episodes
Trailblazers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
Being the first to do something comes with accolades and recognition, but it can also be lonely. The premiere of season four features stories from four trailblazers who broke barriers, not just for their own advancement,…
Season 4 - now premiering June 17 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:58
Season 4 of ARTS. WORK. LIFE. will take you around the world this summer with bold, never before-heard stories – now premiering in one week, on June 17th.Because sometimes, just like ARTS. WORK. LIFE., things don’t go as…
Mark your calendars! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00
APAP’s award-winning podcast ARTS.WORK.LIFE. is back! On June 10th, we’ll premiere our new season, which is bursting with bold, untold stories from across the performing arts industry.This summer, we’ll take you behind t…
13! Thirteen more days to submit your story. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:58
Learn about how to submit a great story, and hear from past storytellers, by watching our recent webinar: https://youtu.be/eZ7a55-slLw?si=VvihOVwjV0W3bxQ6&t=12Calling all performing arts workers! Submit your bold, untold…
Season four needs you! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:58
Calling all performing arts workers! Submit your bold, untold, personal story for season four at apap365.org/podcastPriority deadline is March 20th. If your story is selected, you’ll work with a podcast team to bring you…
Second Acts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:07
Sometimes, we have to give up one dream and find another, providing an opportunity for growth and discovery.The finale of season three features stories about the power of community from a high school teacher learning fro…
My Story To Tell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:18
Finding your voice is hard, but summoning the courage to use it can change your life and the lives of those around you.Whether it’s helping others recover, how advocating for yourself becomes advocating for those like yo…
Through The Looking Glass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:04
Often, our sense of self can feel rigid. Like who we see in the mirror is who we’ll always be. But how we see ourselves is changeable, and sometimes a dramatic event shakes our self image to the core. Including stories f…
The Personal and The Political [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:28
Artists are often the voice for social movements. Some make it their life's purpose, while others are thrust into politics by circumstance. Episode three shares inspiring stories from artists navigating identity, society…
Breaking the Arts Barrier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:04
Systemic barriers to equality are apparent throughout the industry, but at a certain point you can't keep dancing around the red tape. You have to break through it. Episode two is all about arts workers that are breaking…