Our network partners are hosting some great events this month. Check out what’s On the RISE in the RISE Theatre Network. If you want to stay in the know, check out risetheatre.org.
Have you heard the news?
Lee Bynum is our new Executive Director!
Maestra Music’s Board of Directors is proud to announce that Lee Bynum has been named as its first-ever Executive Director as our non-profit organization celebrates its five-year anniversary.
The Executive Director role is a brand-new position, and Bynum will work alongside Georgia Stitt, who continues in her current role.
“At a moment when gender equity in the arts is under increasing threat, Maestra’s work has never been more essential. As a nonbinary creator, I know firsthand what it means to be left out of the room, as well as what it takes to build new tables where others can convene and thrive. I am honored to join this extraordinary constellation of artists and advocates, and to help guide its next chapter of growth. Maestra already is a force for positive change in the musical theatre industry. I look forward to collaborating with the community in the building of a lasting institution that not only broadens who participates, but how we define leadership, excellence, and belonging across the field.”
- Lee Bynum, Maestra Executive Director
“I couldn’t be prouder of the way this organization has found its footing in the industry that I love so much, and its rapid growth has been formidable. The Board and I started talking last year about the need to find an Executive Director who could be as passionate about this work as I am, who could step in and lead this organization while I carve out more space to be a musician. I feel about Lee that I have found a partner, a visionary who is already seeing not just what Maestra is, but what it will certainly become under their leadership.”
- Georgia Stitt, Maestra Founder and President
Parity Productions: Parity Development Award
Every year, Parity Productions (Artistic Director: Ludovica Villar-Hauser) presents the Parity Development Award to one woman (cis or trans) and one trans, gender-expansive, or intersex playwright who have both demonstrated a dedication to the craft of playwriting and a singular talent for storytelling, and whose work is in harmony with our artistic mission. The selected playwrights receive $2,500 each and extensive developmental support for their play, including one “closed door” reading with the Parity team and at least one public reading, with an option for Parity to produce the Awarded work. We believe the next great play can come from anywhere! We read all eligible applications and make no judgments based on a playwright’s education or age. Full-length plays must be new and may not have had a previous professional production that exceeded three performances (either Equity or non-Equity - prior readings or workshops are fine). No musicals, though we love them! Repeat applications should please apply with a new script, or if it's the same piece, considerably rewritten.
To apply, create a profile on The Parity Database, answer a few demographic questions, and upload a script. You have until April 16th, OR until Parity Productions receives the first 150 scripts to apply. They are already at 100 scripts!
If you have any questions, please contact Literary Manager Jaye Hunt at literary@parityproductions.org.
Black Theatre United- Design Expo!
Black Theatre United is excited to announce the BTU Design Expo, coming June 20th, 2025! This unforgettable inaugural event will feature Broadway designers from every field of design, including panels, talks, demonstrations on cutting-edge design processes, and one-on-one portfolio reviews.Focused on up-and-coming and early-career designers, the Expo offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn about the many ancillary skilled jobs within the design world. Best of all, the BTU Design Expo is free and open to the public — you won’t want to miss it! The Expo is part of the ongoing BTU Designer Initiative, which also includes the Before the Curtain Rises YouTube series. These mini-documentaries highlight the journeys of leading designers like Mia Neal, Natasha Katz, and more.
Additionally, the BTU Design Hub, launched in October, is live on the BTU website. It offers a growing database of scholarships, internships, and opportunities for designers of color. Stay tuned for more details and visit the link below for updates!
BTU The Business of Show: Producing 101
Black Theatre United’s The Business of Show: Producing 101 event, held on March 26, 2025, was a tremendous success.
Hosted at Wild Geese Gallery, this special installment of our ongoing discussion series featured an esteemed panel of industry experts, including BTU President LaChanze, BTU Founder Vanessa Williams, Mathew Knowles, Les Coney, Liz Curtis, and moderator Tonya Lewis Lee. Attendees gained valuable insights on what it takes to succeed as a Broadway producer, received expert advice on entering the industry, and participated in an engaging Q&A session.The Business of Show series is created by Black Theatre United to explore the critical issues facing the creative community. Past events have covered topics such as networking and mentorship, navigating DEI in today’s legal landscape, and celebrating Black Legacy during Black History Month. Each event provides a platform for meaningful dialogue with industry professionals, offering attendees a chance to ask questions and engage with the issues that matter most.
To be part of future events, submit a topic idea, or inquire about hosting a BTU Business of Show event, email events@blacktheatreunited.com for more information.
R.Evolución Latina Beyond Workshop Series 2025
Presented by R.Evolución Latina in collaboration with Pregones PRTT, this one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary program offers performing arts training with a unique emphasis on ensemble work and community building.
BWS challenges artists to strengthen their technical skills in dance, acting, and voice while fostering self-confidence and leadership abilities. Through collaborative classes participants will enhance their artistry and storytelling while deepening their understanding of what it means to create as part of an ensemble.
The program will culminate in a unique showcase opportunity. Participants accepted into BWS 2025 will have the chance to join R.Evolución Latina’s 2025 showcase production—a new work in development directed by Luis Salgado. While participation in the showcase is an exciting opportunity, it is not mandatory and does not impact involvement in the BWS program.
April 30th at 6pm Online Voice Over Workshop with Jean-Marc Berne
Women & Theatre- New Episode & Virtual co-working session!
Check out the latest episode of the Women & Theatre Podcast Season 5, featuring RISE Theatre Program Manager Victoria Detres! We had a great conversation about embracing humanity through storytelling, creating a culture of care in the theatre industry and beyond, and building sustainable theatrical spaces that are inclusive of artists from underrepresented groups.
If you like the work of Women & Theatre, please join them on Tuesday, April 8 at 11am ET for their next Virtual Co-Working session! Bring yourself and a project to work on, and let's get stuff done! Details below!
Beyond The Stage Door NY Week
Beyond The Stage Door just wrapped up an incredible in-person week with our latest Beyond the Stage Door cohort! Students participated in hands-on workshops led by industry professionals, covering everything from budget management and contracts to casting, production, marketing, DEI, and more. They also attended four Broadway shows—Sunset Blvd., Buena Vista Social Club, Smash, and Maybe Happy Ending and shadowed Stage and Company Management teams on nine shows—gaining firsthand insight into theatre-making at the highest level. A highlight of the week was their networking session, where students connected with professionals across the industry, building relationships that will support them as they begin their careers. BTSD is so grateful to the guest speakers, mentors, and supporters who made this transformative experience possible. Stay tuned for more updates as they continue to open doors for the next generation of theatre leaders! Follow Beyond the Stage Door on instagram @beyondthestagedoor
GENDER DISPARITIES IN DANCE LEADERSHIP: DDP’S FOURTH GLOBAL REPORT FINDS 70% OF ARTISTIC DIRECTORS AT CLASSICALLY BASED COMPANIES ACROSS 61 COUNTRIES ARE MEN
Dance Data Project® (DDP) has released its fourth annual report analyzing gender distribution among leadership at ballet and classically based companies worldwide. This year’s study expands upon previous findings by incorporating data on music directors and principal conductors for the first time, as well as providing a comprehensive analysis of artistic directors by continent. The 2025 report examines 163 companies from 61 countries alongside the Largest 50 U.S. companies, bringing the total sample size to 213 companies. DDP President and Founder Elizabeth ‘Liza’ Yntema noted, “Despite having almost no outside funding, DDP has produced an impressive 59 reports—43 full reports and 16 Data Bytes—in just six years. As we carefully expand our global footprint, we remain committed to providing the data and analysis needed to drive meaningful change in the dance industry worldwide.”
The 2025 Global Leadership Report is now available for download on the Dance Data Project® Research Page.
The Asian American Theatre Artists Collective, founded by Christine Toy Johnson in 2023, uplifts and illuminates AAPI theatre makers across all disciplines via think tanks, shared resources, and an online community resource directory.
Save the Date
April 7, 2025: 11am – 5pm for their first event (in person in NYC and live streamed). RSVP beginning March 10.
