Inclusive STAGES: Building Healthy Arts Spaces – Details, episodes & analysis

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 and resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/jewish-joy-and-artivism-with-mara-jill-herman

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

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.

We talk about what it means to stay mission-driven when resources are tight, how to center care without bureaucracy, and why investing in early career artists is a radical act of leadership.

🎉 And…we’re officially bringing Inclusive Stages to London this fall for our first international residency! You’ll hear how this collaboration came to life and why this kind of global dialogue is essential to the future of our field.

This episode is generous, grounded, and full of insight, reminding us that innovation in leadership often starts at the margins.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the show notes and resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/new-work-needs-new-leadership-what-we-can-learn-from-across-the-pond

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

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 inclusive work practices that go beyond performative representation. Ready to transform your approach to diversity and inclusion? Support accessible DEI training in theater by contributing to the Inclusive Stages scholarship fund at inclusivestages.com/donate, and join the conversation about creating truly inclusive creative spaces.

Grab the links and mentioned resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/white-house-declares-DEI-dead

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

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, and who’ve been open to these newer conversations about the nuances of inclusion work in the arts. Thank you!

We all know that things don't always work out the way we want them to. I was “supposed to” have done so many things that simply didn’t end up happening in 2024. But! I’ve also done so much that I did and didn’t plan for. Join me as I take a look at some hard truths and moments to celebrate from this year.

In this episode, I’m leaning into something uncomfortable that I have people do when I coach them, which is to just show up. So if you find yourself feeling the exhaustion of all that has been 2024, I encourage you to listen to this episode and to take time to reflect on your own year!

Grab the links and mentioned resources at

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/lets-get-real-hard-lessons-of-2024

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

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 talk about our feelings.

If you’ve never heard of the zones before, don’t worry! Levi starts us off with an explanation of what they are, then we read the book, and we wrap up by talking about the zones we noticed. We hope you enjoy the show!

Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/the-zones-of-regulation-for-kids-and-parents

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

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

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

EDI (or DEIB) work truly is for all of us! And given how much heat the industry has received recently—it could use a bit of a rebrand. Because representation in storytelling has the power to help us solve big problems in the world! If we let it…

With a journey that’s taken her to Harvard, Walt Disney, Google, and even the TEDx stage—Julie Ann Crommett knows just how big of a ripple effect inclusive storytelling can have! In this conversation, Julie Ann shares about the importance of belonging, what the CSI effect is, and the mindset necessary to the success and sustainability of DEIB work.

Join Julie Ann and I for a joyful and inspiring conversation about the power of EDI work in the arts—and beyond!

Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at: 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/solving-big-world-problems-with-inclusive-storytelling

Connect with Julie Ann:
Instagram

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

Welcome to a very special episode of the Inclusive Stages podcast. A conversation centered around defining inclusion, creating a shared vision for this work, and establishing a brave space for difficult conversations. Because we can only become stronger and more connected people, organizations, and artists when we learn how to engage in hard conversations. 

I'm joined by two of my favorite collaborators and incredible colleagues, Zena Collins and Dr. Charmain Jackman. We sit down to discuss the state of inclusion work—especially the big question of how to keep pushing forward as inclusion practitioners despite what’s going on in the world around us.

I hope this episode can serve as a model for creating brave spaces built on trust, respect, relationship building, and what it looks like to engage in conversations from that place. 

Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at: 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/3-black-women-3-takes-inclusion-work-in-2024

Connect with Zena:
LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Charmain:
Instagram

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

As a music director, Dan Rodriguez knows how critical inclusion is in theater and the arts. It’s critical in often unseen places like the pit, where you’ll find musicians, vocal performers, and the music director. Music directors tend to be with production processes the longest, which means they understand and have a unique position of influence within a show. In this conversation, we discuss Dan’s journey into theater, the importance of trust between performers and music directors, vocal health, and how Dan supports transgender actors. I hope you enjoy the show!

Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at:

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/the-music-director-view-from-the-pit

Register Now for our Fall Cohort

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

Brave spaces, I hope you'll agree, aren't a luxury in the arts. They’re a necessity for theater lovers and professionals. Without them, we can't push the boundaries of art and storytelling in a way that's healthy and sustainable. And isn't that what we're all here to do? Create art and theater that's daring and meaningful and makes a difference. There's a lot of wisdom we can take from physically demanding jobs like stunt performers. Join me for this episode, where I’m sharing the 5 specific things we can do to create brave spaces for theater professionals!

Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at:

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/Why-Brave-Spaces-In-Theater-Should-Be-Non-Negotiable

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.