What does it take to become a choreographer on Broadway? Jennifer talks to Director-Choreographer, Katie Spelman, who shares the complex and often nonlinear trajectory of the choreography world that led to her Broadway choreographic debut for The Notebook (which unfortunately closes December 15th). Katie breaks down the distinct roles and positions in the choreography world – from dance captain to assistant to associate – offering clarity on how each supports a production. Katie divulges some of her favorite tools, expresses how creating imperfect work regularly can unlock creativity, and highlights the collaboration and trust required to build and sustain productions. Together, they also discuss the systemic challenges in the industry, including gender disparities in creative leadership, the need for diverse representation on and off stage, and Katie’s personal commitment to uplifting others in the industry. Listeners will gain tangible insights into the importance of finding collaborators, embracing imperfection, and choreographing for the bodies and performers you have in a room. Whether you’re a dancer, choreographer, or simply curious about the artistry of storytelling through movement, this episode offers a rich exploration of creativity, resilience, and the power of community.

About Katie: Katie Spelman (she/her) is a Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based director and choreographer. She made her Broadway choreographic debut this past season with The Notebook. Recent credits include Great Comet (Writers Theatre), The Music Man (Marriott Theatre, 8 Jeff Nominations), Cabaret (Barrington Stage Company, Berkie Award for Best Choreography); the world premiere of An American Tail (CTC); Hello Kitty Must Die (Edinburgh Fringe), Day 365 - Live from the Rainbow Room with Dylan Mulvaney, Once (Writers Theatre), Swearing in English (Ars Nova), aren’t you glad you stayed in (TEAM Petri Project), AD 16 (Olney Theater, Helen Hayes Award for Best Choreography), The Beautiful Game (Tokyo, TOHO Productions), The Who’s Tommy (DCPA), and Oklahoma! (Goodspeed). She was the Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge for the Boston, Broadway, and Australian companies, as well as an associate on the Broadway productions of Amelie, American Psycho, and Once; she was the Associate Choreographer on RENT Live! on Fox, and the Associate Director for Close To You on the West End. Katie has also collaborated with Lookingglass, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Camerata Bern, Court Theatre, The Hypocrites, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Timeline Theatre, and Northwestern University. Katie was the Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge for the Boston, Broadway, and Australian companies; an associate on the Broadway productions of Amelie, American Psycho, and Once; and was the recipient of the SDCF Agnes DeMille.

Katie’s IG: @k8spelman

Katie’s Website: www.katiespelman.com

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What steps can we take toward a more anti-ableist approach in theater, where disability inclusion is standard, not exceptional? Jennifer talks to Jenna Bainbridge – actor, disability rights activist, and co-founder of ConsultAbility, a consulting company focused on creating safe and inclusive environments for all disabled theater artists. Jenna shares her journey as an ambulatory wheelchair user, from her early years navigating ableist barriers to her current role on Broadway in Suffs - which shes incredible in and you only have until jan 5th to check out. She gives powerful insights on fostering environments where disability is embraced and access is seen as essential to creating truly inclusive experiences for everyone. Together they discuss the importance of proactive communication about access needs, what small but impactful changes organizations and individuals can make, ways to shift cultural attitudes to foster conversations about disability, and practical tools for implementing simple solutions. Learn how we can each play a role in building a more accessible, anti-ableist future in the arts. About Jenna: Jenna Bainbridge (she/her) is an actor, singer, and disability rights advocate based in New York. At 16 months old, Jenna broke her spine and became partially paralyzed from the waist down. She navigates the world now as an ambulatory wheelchair user. In 2024 she became the first wheelchair user to perform in a New Musical on Broadway when she made her debut in Suffs which won the 2024 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Music. She can also be seen in NBC’s Found and you can hear her narrate the audio books for Marieke Nijkamp’s Unbroken and Alice Wong’s Disability Intimacy.In addition to performing, Jenna is also the Co-founder of ConsultAbility, a consulting firm whose mission is to work with theatrical institutions and educational programs to create more accessible spaces and inclusive programming for disabled artists, bridging the gap between what is desired and what is required when working with disabled artists in the theatrical world.

Jenna’s IG: @bainbridgejenna

Jenna’s Website: https://www.jennabainbridge.com/

Tickets for Suffs: https://suffsmusical.com/tickets

ConsultAbility: https://www.consultability.org/

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Do you find it overwhelming to navigate the complex world of health and life insurance? Jennifer sits down with Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf —a licensed insurance & benefits broker, theater producer, and HR consultant—to break down everything you need to know. From marketplace plans and life insurance types to understanding deductibles, premiums, and navigating options, Jamie shares invaluable insights tailored for creatives. They discuss the unique challenges artists face in securing coverage, clarify confusing terms so you can choose the best plans for your lifestyle, and unpack the essentials of choosing a plan. You’ll walk away knowing how to navigate the marketplace effectively, the ins and outs of employer versus individual plans, the benefits of considering alternative options, and how to make the most of open enrollment periods. Tune in for a packed episode that will help you navigate the insurance system with confidence and ease.

Jamie’s Bio: Care4Creatives is a licensed benefits broker passionate about serving both individuals and groups, with a special emphasis on gig workers in the creative industry. Our mission is to provide top-notch benefits tailored to the unique needs of freelancers, artists, and organizations within the creative sector. We offer an extensive range of insurance options, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, complemented by ancillary benefits such as short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance. Aside from her work at Care4Creatives, Jamie also runs an HR consulting business for arts organizations. She is a Tony-nominated Broadway producer, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Young Artists of America, and an escape room enthusiast.

Jamie’s IG: @jamiewaldorf

Jamie’s Website: care4creatives.com

Guide for individuals in any state: http://care4creatives.com/individual

Opolis: https://connect.opolis.co/partner?partnerid=Care4Creatives

https://gethealthee.com/ (Use code JamieHBG24 at checkout)

Additional new products: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WaCdDGVqiE2pRO0oGIdqpiGA6I-GgFTsNQbCFaQbBQ4/edit?usp=sharing

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