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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In our last episode of Season 2, Jennifer talks to Helen Laser about audiobook narration who shares her journey that brought her to voiceover and audiobook work. They talk about the evolving landscape of the industry, the importance of home setups, and the supportive audiobook community. Helen provides valuable advice on creating a comfortable recording space and at-home studio, choosing affordable equipment, and what skills & software are needed. They share tips for getting started on various platforms, leveraging resources, and taking classes for aspiring narrators. Don't miss this inspiring episode packed with actionable advice for those aspiring to carve their paths in the world of audio narration.

About Helen: Helen Laser is an audiobook narrator, voice artist, and actor of stage and screen. In the audiobook world, she is an Audie Award Finalist and multiple Audiofile Earphones Award winner, and records live sessions with clients all over the world, both remotely from home, and in-person. Her narration has won awards, was picked by Reese Witherspoon for her book club, and has made many lists including (but not limited to):Audible's "Editors Picks," Apple Audiobooks "Must Listens," Libro.fm's "Most Pre-Ordered Audiobooks," Amazons "Top 10 Audiobooks," The New York Times "7 Audiobooks to Listen to Now," The Wall Street Journal's "The 12 Best Audiobooks for Every Reader" and many more. She narrates for Audible Studios, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Tantor, Harper, Macmillan, Blackstone, Brilliance, Dreamscape and for a variety of clients in podcasts, e-learning, and more. Her voiceovers in commercials have aired on TV, radio, and online/social media. You may have heard her in commercials for Tide, Advil, Annie's Homegrown, Dunkin Donuts, IHOP, and many more. She has been seen in award-winning stage performances at Powerhouse, Playhouse On Park, Sharon Playhouse, Mt Gretna Theater, and in film and television (CBS, HBO, etc). Her film work has won awards in the festival circuit and beyond.

Helen’s IG: @hlaserwolf

Helen’s Website: www.Helenlaser.com

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In this episode, Jennifer talks to makeup artist and hairstylist, Brenna Drury. From her experiences working for many years in the industry, Brenna sheds light on the distinct intricacies of her craft from understanding the different expectations of makeup and hair on set to advice for those interested in working in the field and favorite tips for those looking to enhance their everyday beauty routines. They break down misconceptions & expectations of makeup artists and hair stylists, talk about advocating for fair compensation, and the significance of communication & collaboration with those around you.

About Brenna: Brenna, a seasoned Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in NYC, brings 14 years of freelancing expertise to her craft. With a commitment to enhancing natural beauty and infusing a creative edge, she prioritizes inclusivity in both her work and how she navigates the industry.

Brenna’s IG: @Brennadmakeup

Brenna’s Email: brennadmakeup@gmail.com

Brenna’s Website: www.prim-poppin.com

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In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Aria Velz to talk about grant writing. With nearly a decade of grant writing experience, she sheds light on the nuances of grant writing, emphasizing the lack of formal training in this crucial non-profit sphere. They distinguish grants from individual donations and corporate sponsorships, highlighting the parameters involved in grant applications. They provide valuable insights into the intricacies of grant writing, stressing the importance of tailoring proposals to fit the guidelines and showcasing the project's alignment with the grantor's mission. They emphasize the importance of proving the necessity of your project, crafting compelling narratives, developing templates, organizing the backend of your materials, and being prepared for setbacks. They also share practical tips on finding grants, keeping in mind ethical considerations, and emphasizing the need for alignment with the values of funding organizations when applying. Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or a newcomer, this episode offers invaluable advice and strategies for successfully navigating the grant writing landscape.

About Aria: Aria Velz is a theater director and a freelance grant writer in the DC area. She specializes in grants for theatre and other performing arts institutions, having worked with over a dozen theatre organizations in the DC area alone, as well as writing grants with individual theater artists. When not working in theatre, she is a lesbian media enthusiast and critic, mainly on TikTok.

Aria’s IG: @AriaVelz Aria's TikTok: @AriaVelz

Aria’s Email: ariavelz@gmail.com

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Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo

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In this episode, Jennifer talks to Melissa Center all about crowdfunding. Melissa shares her journey navigating the highs and the lows that helped shape her into a crowdfunding queen. She breaks down insights and intricacies of different platforms (Kickstarter, Indigogo, Seed and Spark, GoFundMe), demystifies the complexities on the back end, and sheds light on the need for a strong team to help assist in the process. They talk about the importance of preemptive strategic planning, building genuine relationships, and doing inner work before choosing to go down this fundraising path so that one can lean into the transformative power of embracing discomfort.

About Melissa: Melissa Center is an actress and award-winning filmmaker known for visceral women’s stories and crowdfunding Queen who has helped creatives raise over $1M for their passion projects. She is also an in-demand speaker who is known for bringing her intensely relatable & authentic stories to the world. Through her new initiative(s) she supports female storytellers - especially Jewish women and our allies - raise funds on our own terms in order to share our stories with the world because our voices matter & need to be heard. As an actor, her most notable credits include roles on FBI (CBS), This is Us (NBC), Grey's Anatomy (ABC), Masters of Sex (SHO), and more. Favorite roles onstage include “Maggie” in A Chorus Line (Dir. Mitzi Hamilton), “Olivia” in Sex with Strangers (Hollywood Fringe), and “Jan” in 50 Words (The Lab Creative, LA). She also originated the stage adaptation of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, directed by the late Wynn Handman of The American Place Theater. She is the producer, co-writer and star of feature film, All I Want (Prime, Vudu, TubiTV, itunes) and the co-director, writer and star of the award-winning viral short film R.V, a narrative that anticipated the overturn of Roe vs Wade. Her short film His Name is Niv, which she wrote and directed, is inspired by her own experience with sexual assault. Her solo show Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal debuted during the Pandemic lockdown via livestream at The Pico, LA followed by Edinburgh Fringe Digital to rave reviews & coverage in Ms. Magazine & Psychology Today.

Melissa’s IG: @melissacenter

Melissa LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/melissacenter Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple

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