Babatunde Akinboboye on Hip Hopera, Authenticity, and Letting Audiences Lead

Reimagining a centuries-old art form takes more than talent; it takes courage, curiosity, and a deep belief that tradition can evolve. Few embody that spirit like Babatunde Akinboboye. A classically trained baritone and viral “hip hopera” artist, Babatunde is redefining what opera can sound like—and who it’s for. His mashups of rap and arias have captivated millions online, and garnered attention from The Ellen Show, America's Got Talent and TIME Magazine. He’s now channeling that distinctive style into his upcoming debut album. In this episode, Babatunde shares how he discovered opera by chance, what it took to find his artistic voice in a space that didn’t always reflect him, and how blending genres can make opera feel newly accessible. He also offers insight into building genuine audience connections and broadening ideas of what great music can be. LINKS: Babatunde Akinboboye TIME Magazine | Hero Masterfully Creates His Own Hip-Hopera While Driving Inclusive Therapists

Can a performing arts center change the identity of a city? Tom Gabbard has spent more than two decades proving it can as CEO of Blumenthal Arts in Charlotte, NC. Under his leadership, Blumenthal has grown from a regional performing arts center into a national force. Charlotte now ranks among North America’s Top 10 markets for touring Broadway shows, and the organization also fosters experimental projects in Blume Studios, a 44,000-square-foot “arts R&D lab” that pushes beyond traditional stages. In this episode, Tom reflects on how he balances commercial success with cultural mission, programs with local artists and community needs in mind, and pilots immersive experiences that redefine what arts participation can look like. LINKS: Blumenthal Arts Breakin' Convention Hip Hop Festival Blume Studios Troubadour Theatres

How do you bring audiences along as you expand their definition of an art form? That’s the question Jane Raleigh has grappled with throughout her career.  As the former Director of Dance Programming at the Kennedy Center, she spent more than a decade transforming the institution’s siloed approach to dance into a continuum that celebrates both classical works and contemporary voices. Now, as the founder of DC Dance Network, she’s creating new ways for artists and audiences to engage. In this episode, Jane shares her approach to stretching audiences’ comfort zones without losing their engagement, building pathways that link programming with community impact, and shaping a more connected, resilient dance ecosystem. LINKS:  DC Dance Network NPR | Kennedy Center terminates dance programming team Netflix | Aggretsuko Arts Managed Newsletter

Audiences don’t just want to watch theater; they want to step inside it. Few people understand that better than casting director Kate Lumpkin. Kate has become a go-to voice in immersive performance, shaping productions that dissolve the line between stage and audience. Her latest project? Masquerade NYC: an immersive Phantom of the Opera revival now running Off Broadway.  For Kate, immersive work isn’t a trend. It’s a response to what audiences are hungry for: connection, participation, and community. Her vision flips the question from “How do we fill the seats?” to “How do we open the doors wider?” LINKS: Kate Lumpkin Casting Masquerade NYC James Madison University | School of Theater and Dance

Arts and culture don’t thrive in isolation. They thrive when artists, institutions, and policymakers work in concert. Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, is making that bridge his life’s work, showing how government and the arts can partner to create healthier, stronger, more sustainable communities. From his early days as a performer and choreographer to his current role shaping statewide cultural policy, Michael has witnessed both the joys and the shortcomings of the arts sector. In this episode, he argues that the sector’s future depends on how boldly we organize, build cross-sector partnerships, and demand our place at the table. LINKS: Mass Cultural Council WBUR | Mass. starts country's first arts prescription program for physical and behavioral health MITx Online

How do you invite new audiences into the symphony in a way that feels fresh, joyful, and unforgettable? Macy Schmidt has been asking that question with every project she takes on. As the founder of The Sinfonietta and CEO of Overture Global Entertainment, she’s not just producing concerts—she’s designing live experiences that feel transformative for new audiences. In this episode, Macy reflects on the early influences that shaped her approach to orchestration, the audience-first philosophy that guides her work, and how she’s scaling women-led orchestras around the world. She also shares how one bold pitch to Mattel grew into Barbie the Movie in Concert, and reveals the creative decisions that made the project a global phenomenon. For arts and culture leaders, Macy’s insights show what’s possible when you shift from guarding traditions to designing moments that stay with people long after the final note. LINKS: Macy Schmidt The Sinfonietta Barbie the Movie in Concert

Few leaders expect their first months on the job to coincide with a fight for the future of the arts in America. For Erin Harkey, that became the reality when she stepped in as CEO of Americans for the Arts earlier this year—just as the federal government proposed eliminating national arts funding. In this episode, Erin reflects on her career journey, from shaping cultural policy in Chicago to stepping into one of the most prominent arts leadership roles in the country. She shares why public funding is uniquely powerful, how communities can mobilize in times of uncertainty, and why joy itself can be a form of resistance. Along the way, she offers practical advice for arts administrators, artists, and advocates alike: from making your voice heard with elected officials to finding ways to sustain yourself in the work. LINKS: National Endowment for the Arts | The Big Picture Americans for the Arts | Americans Speak Out About the Arts Americans for the Arts | Arts Impact Explorer Americans for the Arts | Advocacy Toolkit For Individuals and Organizations

What turns a live event into a cultural moment people never forget? David Jammy has some answers. As Executive Producer at Done+Dusted, he’s helped shape global broadcasts from the Emmys and Kennedy Center Honors to the Global Citizen Festival and the Mark Twain Prize. In this conversation, David traces his path from student activist in apartheid-era South Africa to producing events that capture history as it happens. He shares his storytelling philosophy, the challenge of turning fleeting moments into lasting television, and the behind-the-scenes story of the 2025 Mark Twain Prize honoring Conan O’Brien—a night that doubled as both a tribute and an act of resistance. It’s a reminder that live events aren’t just entertainment. They can be culture’s way of recording history in real time. ----- LINKS: Done+Dusted Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale (2013)   PBS | Jon Stewart Mark Twain Prize Acceptance Speech   Netflix | Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Variety | How Done+Dusted Found the Right Tone for Conan O’Brien’s Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize, as Both a Celebration and a Wake: ‘It Was So Cathartic’

AI is changing how we work. What does that mean for arts and culture? Jen Taylor, Capacity Interactive’s Director of AI Strategy and Integration, shares what her research with over 100 arts leaders and administrators reveals about where the field really stands with AI: a mix of curiosity, caution, and untapped opportunity. In this episode, Jen and Monica unpack how AI can save time for under-resourced teams, how organizations can build policies that align with their missions, and why the technology should amplify—not replace—human creativity. This episode is your guide to embracing AI without losing sight of what makes the arts human. LINKS: Capacity Interactive | AI Services and The State of the Arts in 2025 Report Nonprofit Quarterly | How Nonprofits Can Create Ethical AI Policies Reuters | ChatGPT sets record for fastest-growing user base The Marketing AI Institute | 2024 State of Marketing AI Report Anthropic | AI Fluency Course Punchdrunk

What happens when a cultural district leads a city’s revival? As President and CEO of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Kendra Whitlock Ingram is leading the cultural district through a new era of civic transformation—building public spaces, breaking down barriers to access, and reimagining what a cultural district can be. In this episode, Kendra and Monica Holt explore what it takes to lead complex institutions, foster inclusive programming, and make the arts central to a city’s future—not just its history. LINKS: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Pittsburgh Magazine | Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Unveils Plans for the New ‘Arts Landing’ Downtown