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PODCAST

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil

Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This podcast uplifts the voices of producers, publicists, directors, and other behind-the-scenes creatives who shape culture but don’t always get the spotlight. From the challenges of building sustainable careers to the triumphs of crafting unforgettable artistic moments, Cultural Catalysts dives deep into the inspiring lives of those who make

arts performing arts

All Episodes

01:16:00

Executive Management Consulting in the Arts and...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/12/17

Consultant, strategist, and CJAM Consulting Principal Candace Jackson joins Cultural Catalysts for this season’s final episode to trace how an operations and HR leader inside arts organizations became a designer of what she now calls “executive management consulting.” She shares how believing in serendipity and deja vu as confirmation helped her recognize when she was on the right path, including the “accident” of shortening her too-long business name—Candace Jackson Arts and Management

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00:48:30

From Booking to Big Vision: How Anshia Crooms Shapes...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/12/10

Entertainment executive and booking agent Anshia Crooms joins Cultural Catalysts to share how a small-town girl who fell in love with film and music, built a nearly 20-year career shaping live experiences and artist opportunities. As founder, CEO, and Chief Booking Agent of Briclyn Entertainment Group, Anshia has evolved her company from an artist management shop launched at age 23 while in grad school at The New School into a boutique booking and events agency representing Adam Blackstone, Eric

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01:04:57

Camille A. Brown on Moving the Culture and Breaking...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/12/03

Tony-nominated choreographer, director, and artistic director Camille A. Brown joins Cultural Catalysts to talk about how a shy Black girl from Jamaica, Queens who choreographed to DuckTales and TailSpin theme songs grew into one of the most influential voices in contemporary theater and dance. From early training at Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center and the Ailey School to dancing with Ronald K. Brown/Evidence and then founding Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Camille shares how movement became both

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01:00:30

Afrofuturism in Motion: Tewodross Williams on Film,...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/11/26

Tewodross Melchishua “Teo” Williams—award-winning filmmaker, animator, Afrofuturist, and Professor & Department Chair of Visual Communication & Digital Media Arts at Bowie State University—joins Cultural Catalysts to explore how movement, music, and Black futures shape his visual storytelling. From being inspired by seeing Black people in space in Star Trek and Star Wars, to creating his “visual jazz” style, Teo shares how synesthesia, hip hop, jazz, reggae, and house music inform his animation,

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01:12:51

Community-Driven Arts Education: Shirley Taylor on...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/11/19

Shirley Taylor, Executive Director of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, joins the show to share the story of her journey from visual artist to transformative arts administrator, and the creative vision that powers her legacy in New York City. In this conversation, Shirley reflects on her early days at NYFA, her award-winning student arts exhibitions, and launching youth career pipelines at the Apollo Theater. She discusses what it means to design programs that empower young people, support

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01:02:29

The Making of a Dynamic Producer: Kitab Rollins’ Life...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/11/12

Kitab Rollins, Assistant Vice President of Performance and Broadcast Rentals at NJPAC, joins Cultural Catalysts to unpack two decades of creative leadership in Newark’s dynamic arts world. As a proud Newark native, Kitab shapes how the arts connect communities—working on major productions, innovative broadcast rentals, and strategic programming that uplifts local talent and celebrates cultural diversity. He shares insights from his journey through almost every behind-the-scenes role, reflecting on

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01:15:05

Presenting the Arts through Thoughtful Risk and...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/11/05

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack has shaped the arts landscape for decades as Vice President for Cultural Affairs at Arizona State University and Executive Director of ASU Gammage. A Tony Awards voter and recipient of a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre, she has built a career grounded in curiosity, mentorship, and community connection. In this episode, Colleen shares how she reimagined ASU Gammage with its Connecting Communities mission, created spaces where Broadway and boundary-pushing performance

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01:00:43

The Art (and Science) of Marketing in Theater with...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/10/29

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, host Alison McNeil sits down with PennyMaria Jackson, Director of Marketing & Communications at Chicago’s iconic Steppenwolf Theatre Company. With nearly 20 years in arts management, PennyMaria has shaped campaigns for institutions like the Apollo Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the Tony Awards. From launching Pulitzer Prize–winning plays to creating community access programs, she shares how thoughtful marketing transforms audiences into

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00:42:53

Kimberly Douglas on Building DC’s Theater Community...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/10/22

Kimberly Douglas, Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, joins Cultural Catalysts to talk about building, leading, and sustaining community-centered theater in Washington, DC. Kimberly shares her journey from her foundational years at Roots Activity Learning Center and Duke Ellington School of the Arts to her transformative leadership at The ARC Theater and now Woolly Mammoth. She explores why access to the arts is essential infrastructure, not a luxury, and how every role—from

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00:56:01

Bridging Art and Business: Arvind Manocha’s Journey...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/10/15

Visionary arts leader Arvind Manocha, President & CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts—home to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts—joins Alison to explore what it really takes to run one of America’s most beloved venues. Arvind traces a winding path from McKinsey & Company to the LA Philharmonic (including the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall), and digs into metrics that honor both the ephemeral magic of a single performance and the perpetuity of long-term

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01:04:42

Public Art With Purpose: Amina Cooper on Equity,...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/10/08

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Amina Cooper, the first-ever Director of Arts and Culture at Atlanta Beltline Art, one of the nation’s largest temporary public art exhibitions. An Atlanta native, Amina has more than a decade of experience leading multimillion-dollar public art projects and is nationally recognized for her leadership in equitable public art policy.From her early days growing up in Atlanta to her roles with Charlotte Douglas International Airport

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00:31:50

Lila Mayes: Mentoring Creatives and Building...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/03/26

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Lila Mayes, Program Administrator for the Directors Guild of America - Producer Training Program. With a vibrant career spanning artist relations for the Grammys and mentoring aspiring filmmakers, Lila shares her journey of finding purpose and paving the way for inclusivity in the film and TV industry. Discover how Lila empowers young creatives, champions diversity, and transforms non-linear career paths into success stories. From

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00:53:39

Aja Burrell Wood: Ethnomusicology and Inclusion in Jazz

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/03/19

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Aja Burrell Wood, the Managing Director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. An ethnomusicologist, curator, and educator, Aja has dedicated her career to exploring the intersections of race, gender, and performance. She shares her journey from Detroit, Michigan, to Berklee Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice, highlighting how her passion for music and cultural advocacy led her to amplify underrepresented voices in

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00:58:34

Mazi Mutafa: Transforming Communities Through the...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/03/12

On this episode of Cultural Catalyst, Alison McNeil sits down with Mazi Mutafa, Founder and Executive Director of Words Beats & Life, shares his journey of using hip-hop to empower historically-excluded voices and create opportunities for young artists. From pioneering community-focused arts education to blending hip-hop with cultural diplomacy and wellness, Mazi unpacks the transformative power of hip-hop culture beyond music. Listen to how Words Beats & Life is breaking barriers and shaping the

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00:58:03

Marjuan Canady: Pioneering Paths in Broadway and...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/03/05

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil speaks with Marjuan Canady, a Tony-nominated Broadway producer, award-winning Caribbean-American artist, and cultural entrepreneur. From creating her one-woman show, Girls! Girls? Girls. to founding the Callaloo brand of children’s books, puppetry, and theater, Marjuan shares her journey of centering Black and Caribbean stories in her work. Listen as she discusses her path from acting to producing, her experiences balancing the creative and

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00:59:26

Mitra Arthur: Building Bridges Between the Performing...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/02/26

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Mitra Arthur, a dynamic storyteller with a background spanning the performing and cinematic arts. Mitra shares her journey from live arts and arts administration to producing, directing, and editing impactful films and media. Now a video producer at NPR Music, Mitra discusses the importance of honoring Black women’s stories, fostering curiosity, and creating spaces where art fosters connection and community. Discover how Mitra’s journey

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00:37:52

Jennifer Bowman: Bridging Communities Through Music

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/02/19

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil welcomes Jennifer Bowman, Houston Grand Opera's Director of Community and Learning. Together, they explore Jennifer’s journey as a trailblazer in arts leadership, her dedication to making opera accessible, and the powerful ways she fosters community connections through creativity and collaboration. Discover the magic that happens when passion meets purpose in the arts and entertainment industry.🔗 Connect with Jennifer: LinkedIn🌐 Find out more

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00:52:55

C. Brian Williams: Transforming Stepping into a...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/02/12

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews C. Brian Williams, founder and executive producer of Step Afrika!, the first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. From its origins at Howard University to becoming an internationally celebrated cultural ambassador, Step Afrika! has revolutionized the art of stepping. Brian shares how the company honors the roots of stepping while evolving it into a world-class art form, the challenges of running a dance

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00:41:18

Mastering Publicity Strategies with Nyle Washington

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/02/05

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil speaks with Nyle Washington, Senior Award Series Publicity and Talent Relations Manager at Netflix. With over 20 years of experience in PR and media strategy, Nyle shares her journey from internships at The Oprah Winfrey Show to leading award-winning campaigns for hit Netflix series like Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game. Nyle discusses the evolving media landscape, the art of building lasting relationships, and the strategies behind

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00:33:01

Sharon Ingram: Championing Music Professionals and...

Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil ·

2025/01/29

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Sharon Ingram, Executive Director of the DC Chapter of the Recording Academy. Sharon shares her fascinating journey from performing artist to becoming a champion of music professionals. With over 20 years in entertainment, Sharon has worked with Hidden Beach Recordings and the Clio Awards, honing her passion for building community and creating resources for creatives. Listen as Sharon discusses how the Recording Academy serves the music

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22 results

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