125. SEO Strategies for Creatives with Tonya Lawson

How can artists and creatives enhance their online presence, visibility, and income using SEO? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Tonya Lawson, a classically trained clarinetist and SEO specialist, to break down exactly how folks can use search engine optimization to grow their online presence and monetize their work. Tonya breaks down the basic concepts of SEO, offers practical advice on optimizing websites and social media, and explains how creatives can use these tools to attract new clients, gain exposure, and monetize their online platforms. Whether you're a performer wanting more eyes on your work, a coach or teacher looking to build clientele, or a multi-hyphenate creative aiming to make your online presence actually work for you, this episode is packed with tactical tools, creative hacks, and empowering mindset shifts to help you make SEO your friend. About Tonya: Dr. Tonya Lawson is a musician, blogger, and passive income specialist whose mission is to empower creatives to build out passive income streams so they have the financial freedom to live the life they want to live. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who currently runs a private studio of over 50 students, has 3 blogs, a coaching business, a membership, multiple courses, and teaches at Middle Tennessee State University.  When not working, Dr. Lawson enjoys gardening, running, reading, cuddling with her cat Dot and playing with her dog Buster. Tonya's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@dr.tonyalawson Tonya's Website: ⁠tonyalawson.com Tonya's YouTube: ⁠@dr.tonyalawson Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What role does projection, video, and media design play in shaping a theatrical production? In this episode, Jennifer chats with Tony Award winning projection and video designer Hana S. Kim who invites us into her world where ideas transform into powerful visual landscapes on stage. From her roots in graphic design in Seoul to designing for Broadway in productions like Redwood, Real Women Have Curves, and The Outsiders, Hana shares how her creative process always starts and breaks down how she builds visual language from emotional concepts, mood boards, and textures before layering in technical tools. She explains how each production is unique, and how her work blends into the overall storytelling alongside lighting, scenic, and sound designers. About Hana: Hana S. Kim is an immersive media designer and a visual artist for live performances with experience across film and public art from Seoul, South Korea. Her theatrical design work has been seen on across the country and internationally. Her art installations have been shown at the Annenberg Space of Photography in LA, Jordan Downs Recreation Center, Occidental College and Baryshnikov Arts Center in NY.Hana is a recipient of the Tony Awards, the Princess Grace Awards in Theater Design, Richard Sherwood Award from CTG, and Kinetic Lighting Award for distinguished achievement in theatrical design from LA Drama Critics Circle. She was nominated for Lucille Lortel Awards for her work on The Visitor at the Public Theater. Her designs have been recognized by the Helen Hayes Award, Stage Raw Awards, StageSceneLA Awards and Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards. She is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. Recent credits include Redwood, Real Women Have Curves, and The Outsiders on Broadway, Orfeo at the Santa Fe Opera, Sumo and The Harder They Come at the Public Theater. She received BFA in visual communication at Seoul National University in South Korea and MFA at University of California, Los Angeles. Hana's IG: ⁠@hana.s.kim Hana's Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hananow.com/ Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can curiosity become a roadmap for directing meaningful, human-centered theater? In this episode, as part of our Director Mini-Series, Jennifer chats with director and dramaturg Amy Marie Seidel, who shares her approach where sound, scent, light, language, and presence all carry weight. Amy talks about her relationship with Tectonic Theater Company, being mentored by Moisés Kaufman, and her experience with Here There Are Blueberries and Machinal. She offers a powerful reminder of the importance of following artistic curiosity without judgment, creating space for rehearsal room humanity, trusting the brilliance of your collaborators, and embracing the flexibility of creating in real time. Together, they reflect on the power of letting go of rigid expectations because the more forms we allow ourselves to explore, the more layered and resonant our work becomes. This episode is a reminder that directing isn’t about control, but rather about connection, listening, and staying awake to the magic unfolding before you. About Amy: Amy Marie Seidel (she.her.hers) is a NYC-based theater maker who has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally. She is a company member at Tectonic Theater Project, where she has developed numerous plays, including Here There Are Blueberries, a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist recently produced at New York Theatre Workshop, and Seven Deadly Sins, which won the 2022 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. She has brought two major musicals to Broadway as part of team directing: Paradise Square (10 Tony Noms) and The Great Gatsby (1 Tony Win), and she is currently developing a new biographical play centering Billie Jean King. As director, Amy is developing multiple new plays, including All The Frozen Ones by Stella Ferra (Starring Robert Sean Leonard), A Clean Slate by Jack Saleeby, and Falling Forward, a new musical by Karl Amundson and Emily Fink (2024 NAMT Recommended Musical). Amy's IG: ⁠⁠⁠@AmyMarieSeidel Amy's website: ⁠www.amymarieseidel.com Machinal Info: www.machinaltheplay.com Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can one lead a theater artistically, logistically, and sustainably, all with deep humanity? In this episode of our Artistic Director Mini-Series, Jennifer chats with Maria Manuela Goyanes, current Artistic Director of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre and incoming Artistic Director of LCT3 at Lincoln Center, for an honest conversation about what it takes to run a cultural institution with integrity. Maria offers wisdom on assessing risk in today’s theater ecology, why comedy and community are essential “tentpoles” for new audiences, and how she reframes leadership as a form of abundance, not scarcity. Together, they discuss how to build meaningful community engagement, reimagine institutional “best practices,” develop sustainable career pipelines, and say yes to bold, risky theater that centers innovation and joy. This episode reminds us that there is no one model of leadership and that the most revolutionary thing you can do is bring your full, human self to the table. About Maria Manuela: MARIA MANUELA GOYANES (she/her) is currently the Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. She will assume the role of Artistic Director of LCT3 and Producer of Lincoln Center in NYC this fall. Prior to joining Woolly, she served as the Director of Producing and Artistic Planning at The Public Theater,  working on plays and musicals like HAMILTON by Lin-Manuel Miranda, PASSING STRANGE by Heidi Rodewald and Stew, and HERE LIES LOVE by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, to name a few.  While at The Public, Maria also held a position on the adjunct faculty of Juilliard and curated the junior year curriculum of the Playwrights Horizons Theater School at NYU. She has guest lectured at Bard College, Barnard College, Brown University, Columbia University, Juilliard, the National Theater Institute at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, UCSD, the University of Texas-Austin, and Yale University, among others. From 2004 to 2012, Maria was the Executive Producer of 13P, one of her proudest achievements. Maria is a first-generation Latinx- American, born to parents who emigrated from the Dominican Republic and Spain. She was raised in Jamaica, Queens, and has a collection of hoop earrings to prove it. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2001 from Brown University. Maria Manuela's IG: ⁠⁠@MariaGoyanes Maria Manuela's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-manuela-goyanes Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to move a play from the cloud of an idea onto the page? In this episode of our Playwright Mini-Series, Jennifer sits down with one of the most produced playwrights, Lauren Gunderson, to unpack the alchemy of writing stories that matter. Lauren shares how she begins every piece with clarity around the ending, staying obsessed with a story long enough to see it through, then reverse-engineers her way through plot, character desire, and emotional arc. They explore her love for lean casts, the joy of adapting classics, her recent deep dive into musicals, and how collaboration fuels her creativity. Lauren offers tools such as balancing personal artistic fulfillment with the needs of theaters and audiences, utilizing collaboration as a creative accelerator, and trusting that a “bad” draft is merely a bridge to something better. No matter the style of writing, this episode is a reminder that good doesn’t come before done and that generosity, curiosity, and resilience are what carry a writer through. About Lauren: Lauren has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the thrice including 2022/23. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for "I and You" and "The Book of Will,"  and the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the William Inge Distinguished Achievement in Theatre Award. Lauren's IG: ⁠⁠⁠@LalaTellsAStory Lauren's Podcast  "How To Playwright": how-to-playwright-podcast Lauren's Website: www.LaurenGunderson.com Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does one feel into being enough as an artist, and is art itself enough? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with author Stephanie Elizondo Griest to discuss her decade-long global exploration of women artists and the creative life. Stephanie shares the emotional, economic, and spiritual trade-offs she’s made in pursuit of a life devoted entirely to art on a path she calls being an “art monk.” Together, they unpack how capitalism and patriarchy can distort our sense of value, the pressures of conventional success, and the radical act of defining sustainability, fulfillment, and legacy on your own terms. They share tips around grounding practices and community models, as well as powerful reframes around enoughness, sacrifice, and resilience. Whether you're questioning your creative path, feeling torn between stability and passion, or simply seeking permission to honor your calling, this conversation will remind you that your path doesn’t need permission; it needs honoring. About Stephanie: Stephanie Elizondo Griest is a globetrotting writer from the Texas-Mexico borderlands. Her six books include: Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana; Mexican Enough; All the Agents and Saints, and the forthcoming: Art Above Everything. She has also written for the New York Times, Washington Post, The Believer, BBC, VQR, and Oxford American. Her work has won a Margolis Award for Social Justice Reporting, an International Latino Book Award, and a PEN Southwest Book Award. A professor of Creative Nonfiction at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, she has performed as a Moth storyteller. Stephanie's IG: ⁠⁠@SElizondoGriest Stephanie's Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.StephanieElizondoGriest.com Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the essential tools, systems, and values behind running a multi-faceted Broadway marketing and media company in today’s fast-paced digital world? In this episode, Jennifer talks with Katharine Quinn, digital strategist and founder of the Broadway-focused marketing and media company, “And That’s Showbiz.” Katharine unpacks how a series of yeses, content creation, and a background in performing and directing unexpectedly led her to the world of social media strategy. She shares the real-world mechanics of running a business, scaling a one-woman operation to leading a full team, and the various tools to keep workflows both efficient and human-centered. Together, they offer tangible tips on producing inspired, fan-forward content across multiple platforms, managing analytics, and building trust with audiences through consistent interaction. Whether you’re an artist curious about the backend of content creation, want to better understand the world of digital marketing, or are dreaming of turning your creative passion into a purposeful business, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how digital storytelling can uplift and bring folks together. About Katharine: Katharine Quinn is a digital strategist and the founder of And That's Showbiz, a multi-faceted Broadway marketing and media company taking a digital-first and fan-forward approach to amplifying theater beyond traditional spaces. From viral TikToks to photography, video production, influencer activations, partnerships, and fan events, ATS advances Broadway brands where audiences most frequently engage: online. The recently launched ATS YouTube channel featuring Broadway stars and innovators reached 250,000+ views in just one month. ATS’ strategy uses social media as both a growth engine and brand amplifier, extending the theatrical experience beyond the theater walls and bringing Broadway's talent directly to global audiences. Katharine's IG: ⁠@itskatharinequinn And That's Showbiz IG: @andthatsshow.biz Website: ⁠www.andthatsshow.biz Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you build a multi-disciplinary directing career in today’s entertainment landscape? In this episode of our Director Mini-Series, Jennifer chats with Sammi Cannold, who shares her journey as a director of theater, opera, TV, film, and ceremonies. From directing Broadway’s How to Dance in Ohio to shadowing on Grey’s Anatomy to participating in Sundance’s Collab program, Sammi breaks down the hustle necessary for each area of the industry. She offers actionable tools and candid insights into what it means to work across mediums, practical advice on using university resources while in school, the importance of strategic preparation for projects, and how she gamifies the hustle of sending emails. They talk about the continuous humbling and education needed to learn what one doesn’t yet know, tangible tips on team building, hiring decisions, and managing interpersonal dynamics. This episode empowers emerging and established directors with real-world strategies, practical resources, and a deep understanding of a director's responsibility, not just artistically, but structurally and emotionally. About Sammi: Sammi Cannold is a Broadway director and filmmaker who is one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, one of Variety's 10 Broadway Stars to Watch, one of Town & Country's Creative Aristocracy, and a Drama Desk Award winner. In 2025, she was named a Sundance Writers Intensive Fellow and is developing her first feature film, The Homecoming, with the Sundance Institute. Additional: A.R.T. Artistic Fellow, member of Cirque du Soleil's Creative Cognoscenti, Sundance Institute Theater Fellow, and work for CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and Apple TV+. B. A., Stanford University; M.A., Harvard University. Sammi is represented by CAA and Untitled. Sammi's IG: @sammi.cannold Sammi's Website: sammicannold.com/ Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the role of a publicist and what does the job entail? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with longtime arts publicist Adriana Leshko, Executive Vice President at Blake Zidell & Associates. With over two decades in the field working with institutions, artists, and mission-driven nonprofits, Adriana offers clarity around the distinctions between institutional, personal, and production-based publicity, working with critics, and how press relationships are built and maintained. From her non-linear start as a writer to her extensive work at BAM before her current position, she shares what goes into drafting press releases, the specificity needed for pitching, coordinating press nights, and working with critics. Together, they discuss the importance of earning trust, amplifying the artist’s voice, and building genuine relationships that last. This episode is full of actionable insight on how to think about press, prepare for coverage, and work in partnership with a publicist to elevate your art. About Adriana: Adriana Leshko joined the staff of Blake Zidell & Associates as Senior Vice President in 2017 after nearly a decade in the press office at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Prior to BAM, she worked for several years as an editor and writer for magazines and newspapers including Harper’s Bazaar (where she was the Arts and Entertainment Editor), The Economist, and The Washington Post, among others. She serves on the board of The Ukrainian Museum in her beloved East Village. Adriana’s IG: @adrianaleshko Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What exactly does an orchestrator do, and what else is possible in the landscape of orchestration? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with orchestrator and founder of The Broadway Sinfonietta, Macy Schmidt, to explore the creative, technical, and entrepreneurial facets of orchestration. Macy breaks down the craft, from expanding a piano sketch into a fully orchestrated arrangement to choosing instrumentation, texture, and timbre that bring an arrangement to life. She shares the tools, techniques, and self-taught path that shaped her process and what led her to create The Broadway Sinfonietta, an all-women and majority women-of-color orchestra, which has partnered with global brands, reimagined what orchestras can look and sound like, and redefined the ceiling of possibility.  From practical tips around not relying on music software to business-minded strategies like writing compelling cold emails,  and fostering environments built on transparency and trust, Macy’s journey is a lesson in how creative innovation, ethical leadership, and artistic excellence can—and must—coexist for us to expand what is possible in the industry and beyond. About Macy: A first-generation Egyptian-American, Macy Schmidt has forged an unprecedented career as both a businesswoman and a creative. At the age of 27, she has already been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, collected her first Tony Award as a co-producer, and became the first & only woman-of-color orchestrator in Broadway history. She is known among her partners as a tenacious and imaginative producer — as well as a skilled musician — and has been trusted to grow powerhouse IP by the most prominent brands in media and entertainment.Macy is the founder and principal of both Overture Global Entertainment, a consultancy specializing in the design, development, and execution of large scale global concert ventures; and The Sinfonietta, an acclaimed all-women and majority women-of-color orchestra, production company, and musician management firm. Examples of her recent clients and partners include The Walt Disney Company, The Tony Awards, Sony Pictures, Forbes, TikTok, FIFA, Carnegie Hall, Condé Nast, and more. Macy’s unique career combining business acumen and an entrepreneurial spirit with her preceding musical reputation has also generated a robust resumé of high-profile international projects spanning the globe: from supervising entertainment for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, to projects in the UK, China, the Middle East, and India. Above all, she is passionate about elevating women’s voices, which is at the core of all she does. Macy’s IG: @macyjschmidt Macy's Website: www.macyschmidtmusic.com The Broadway Sinfonietta IG: @thesinfonietta Website: www.thesinfonietta.com Barbie Movie in Concert IG: @barbiethemovieinconcert Website: www.barbiethemovieinconcert.com⁠ Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: ⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net/freebie⁠⁠⁠ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! ⁠⁠⁠https://appt.link/jenniferapple⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Jennifer Apple: ⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferapple.net⁠⁠⁠ Jennifer Apple’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠@JenniferApple_ ⁠⁠⁠ Monologue Sourcing Promo Link!⁠⁠⁠ https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo⁠⁠⁠ Learn more:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠ EAC IG:⁠⁠⁠ @EmpoweredArtistCollective ⁠⁠⁠ EAC TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ @EmpowerArtistCollective⁠⁠⁠ EAC Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter!⁠⁠⁠ https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch⁠⁠⁠ Check Out Our Merch!⁠⁠⁠ https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/⁠⁠⁠ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices