CI to Eye with Monica Holt

The best leaders build conditions for others to shine.  Derek A. Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer of Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, has built his leadership philosophy around this very idea. Derek brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to navigating the complexities of today's arts landscape, drawing on years of experience across major cultural institutions like the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center. In this episode, Derek reflects on the power of servant leadership and how trust becomes the foundation for both strong teams and bold ideas. He also shares what it means to step into a senior leadership role at a pivotal moment for Seattle Symphony, and how he hopes orchestra marketing will evolve in the years ahead. ----- LINKS: Seattle Symphony: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/  Benaroya Hall: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroyahall  Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/ 

The beauty of theater isn't just what happens on stage. It's the community that forms around it. And increasingly, that community is being built online.  Ashley Hufford is part of a growing group of creators leading that shift. A constant presence across New York's theater scene and on social media, she has built an audience of more than 100,000 followers who turn to her not for theater criticism, but for an invitation to try something new. What began as a pandemic-era hobby of posting about shows has grown into a kind of cultural bridge, connecting productions with new and younger audiences. In this episode, Ashley reflects on her path from sports media to political storytelling to theater influencing; what she's learned about sharing stories that resonate; the evolving role of influencers in the theater ecosystem; and how the arts industry can rethink accessibility and audience-building for the future. ——— LINKS: Ashley Huffed: https://www.ashleyhufford.com/ The New York Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/ The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa

Music has the power to move a room. For composer Carlos Simon, that effect was first felt in church, where music was both a creative act and a shared experience.  Raised in a family steeped in ministry and musical tradition, Carlos grew up surrounded by gospel, jazz, and the spontaneity of worship. From playing organ by ear during Sunday services to his later work with orchestras, film, and opera, he has built a compositional voice that blurs boundaries: bridging sacred and secular, improvisation and form, tradition and innovation. In this episode, Carlos traces his path to becoming one of today's most sought-after composers and the first-ever Composer Chair for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Along the way, he offers insight into the deeply collaborative nature of his work and frames musical composition as an act of service. ----- LINKS: Carlos Simon: https://www.carlossimonmusic.com/ brea(d)th: https://www.carlossimonmusic.com/album/brea-d-th Monuments: A Suite for DC: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/festivals-series/250-years-of-us/sounds-of-us/monuments/ The Blacknificent 7: https://www.instagram.com/blacknificentseven/

Sara Villagio believes some of the most important leadership lessons begin with listening. Early in her tenure at Carnegie Hall, she made a point of meeting one-on-one with colleagues across the organization, setting the tone for a leadership style grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and learning from the people around you. Now Chief Marketing Officer of the historic New York institution, Sara reflects on the moments and mentors that shaped her path from young musician to arts executive, and how she guides a cross-functional team of more than 60 people. She also reflects on a challenge facing many arts organizations: the temptation to assume we know what audiences want. Instead, she argues for a different mindset—one rooted in experimentation and paying close attention to what audiences actually show us. ----- LINKS Carnegie Hall: https://www.carnegiehall.org/  Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/ 

A long history is a gift for any cultural institution, but it also invites a constant balancing act. How do you honor tradition while continuing to evolve for the future? Pamela Tatge has spent the past decade exploring that question as Executive and Artistic Director of Jacob's Pillow, one of the world's most renowned dance institutions. Under her leadership, the Pillow has expanded from a seasonal festival into a year-round cultural hub, embraced a collaborative curatorial model, and explored how new technologies can broaden how dance is experienced and shared. As Pamela marks her tenth year leading the Pillow, she reflects on guiding the celebrated institution through moments of upheaval; the growing role of technology in the arts; and the leadership lessons she's gained in her tenure. ----- LINKS:  Jacob's Pillow: https://www.jacobspillow.org/  Jacob's Pillow Dance Interactive: https://danceinteractive.jacobspillow.org/  Wesleyan Center for the Arts: https://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/ 

Before audiences fall in love with a story, they fall into a world—one shaped by the unseen artistry that turns empty space into something alive. Set and production designer Paul Tate dePoo III has built a career shaping the physical environments that hold our favorite stories. From intimate stages to large-scale productions, his work lives at the intersection of architecture, storytelling, and psychology, where space itself becomes a character. In this episode, Paul reflects on how ideas move from sketch to stage, the collaborative nature of his work, and the responsibility designers carry in shaping how audiences experience a narrative. ----- LINKS: Tate Design Group: https://www.pauldepoo.com/  The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa  The New York Public Library Photography Collection: https://www.nypl.org/locations/schwarzman/wallach-division/photography-collection 

Before a performance is polished, premiered, or reviewed, it exists in a more vulnerable state. What happens when you invite audiences into that space? As Executive Director of Works & Process, Duke Dang leads an organization built around that idea. By welcoming audiences into the rehearsal room—where new work is tested and shaped—Works & Process transforms performance from a finished product into a shared journey. Under Duke's leadership, the organization has grown in scale and influence, setting the standard for how institutions can nurture artists at pivotal moments in their development. In this episode, Duke reflects on building sustainable pathways for artists across disciplines, creating space for artistic risk, and deepening audience investment in new work. ----- LINKS: Works & Process: https://www.worksandprocess.org/  CATS: The Jellicle Ball: https://catsthejellicleball.com/  The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa 

Great theater starts by creating trusted conditions for talent and creativity to thrive. Cody Renard Richard is a Tony Award-winning producer and stage manager whose career spans Broadway, television, opera, and even Cirque du Soleil. Along the way, his backstage leadership has shaped acclaimed productions like the 2025 revival of Ragtime and this spring's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. In this episode, Cody talks about what it really means to lead from behind the scenes, and why stage management is such a powerful training ground for leadership. He reflects on his path through the industry, how he's navigated power and visibility in a field that doesn't always make room for everyone, and what it looks like to advocate for artists and audiences without burning out or losing yourself in the process. ----- LINKS: Cody Renard Richard: https://www.codyrenard.com/ Ragtime at Lincoln Center: https://www.lct.org/shows/ragtime/ CATS: The Jellicle Ball: https://catsthejellicleball.com/  RISE Theatre Directory: https://risetheatre.org/

Aidan Connolly knows that institutional growth isn't just a matter of square footage. It's a test of values. As Executive Director of Irish Arts Center in New York City, Aidan is leading the organization through a major expansion and transformation—one that requires not only bold vision, but the discipline to protect what made the institution matter in the first place.  In this episode, Aidan reflects on what it takes to lead values-driven change, how his background in politics shaped his approach to advocacy and stakeholder management, and how arts organizations can become not just presenters of culture, but civic homes for artists and audiences alike. —— LINKS: Irish Arts Center: https://irishartscenter.org/ WorkLife with Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/podcasts/work-life/ The New York Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/ The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa

Risk is usually something leaders are told to minimize. But for Sammi Cannold, it's essential to success. As an award-winning director across Broadway, film, and television, Sammi has built her career on ambitious projects—like staging Violet on a moving bus and reimagining Ragtime on Ellis Island. What stands out isn't just the boldness of the choices, but the intention behind them: using place and performance to help audiences experience even the most familiar stories in new ways.  In this episode, Sammi shares how she found her voice as a young woman in a male-dominated field; how she brings new perspective to beloved works while still honoring their legacy; and what it means to be an "actor's director" whether she's working on stage or the silver screen. Plus, she shares why advocacy in entertainment doesn't always have to feel like eating your vegetables, and breaks down the false dichotomy between mission-driven and commercial work. LINKS: Sammi Cannold: https://www.sammicannold.com/ The Agnes Index: https://www.instagram.com/theagnesindex/?hl=en Broadway Briefing: https://broadwaybriefing.com/

If you could spend a year visiting arts organizations around the world, what patterns would start to emerge—and which assumptions would fall apart? Last year, Andrew Recinos, President & CEO of Tessitura, embarked on a global listening tour that took him inside cultural institutions across ten countries. Despite vast differences in geography, scale, and discipline, he heard strikingly similar themes—of reconstruction, resilience, and the challenge of evolving without losing core purpose. In this episode, Andrew explores what a global vantage point reveals about the state of the field, why innovation requires "eating good ideas," and how technology can act as a co-intelligence that deepens, rather than diminishes, meaningful human connection. —— LINKS Tessitura: https://www.tessitura.com/ Arts Journal: https://www.artsjournal.com/ TLDRAI: https://tldrai.com/

Join host Monica Holt as she reflects on the moments that defined the Fall 2025 season, and hear cultural leaders remind us why connection, creativity, and collaboration are more important than ever.

Aly Maier Lokuta knows that art and science aren't opposing disciplines. They're a shared language for strengthening public wellbeing.  Her career has long bridged these worlds, from co-founding Rutgers' Arts and Health Research Lab to leading the largest public mural initiative since the WPA era during her time with NYC Health + Hospitals. Now, as AVP of Arts and Well-Being at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center,  she's proving what many leaders in the field are only beginning to articulate: that cultural institutions can be powerful drivers of community health.  In this episode, Aly shares real-world examples of arts-in-health programs and actionable advice for organizations looking to launch or grow their own initiatives. LINKS: Aly's art and consulting work: www.alysonmaier.com Aly's Arts in Health blog: www.alymaier.substack.com NJPAC Arts & Well-Being:  www.njpac.org/well Jameel Arts and Health Lab: https://www.jameelartshealthlab.org/ National Organization for Arts in Health: https://thenoah.org/ NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine Program:  https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/artsinmedicine/ UF Center for Arts in Medicine: https://arts.ufl.edu/programs-schools/center-for-arts-in-medicine/

For Ming Min Hui, there's no single "right" path to arts leadership—only the one you build through curiosity, courage, and a willingness to evolve. Her career began far from the stage, in finance and corporate strategy on Wall Street. Today, as Executive Director of Boston Ballet, she sees that wide-ranging experience not as a detour but as the engine behind her leadership. In this episode, Ming reflects on the value of expansive career paths, the power of collaborative problem-solving, and how she uses her business acumen to deepen the relevance of a 400-year-old art form in Boston and beyond. LINKS: Boston Ballet - https://www.bostonballet.org/  NBC Boston | Citydance 30 Documentary - https://www.nbcboston.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/watch-the-boston-ballet-citydance-30-years-of-movement-documentary-saturday/2813042/ 

For Alex Sarian, relevance isn't a buzzword. It's a mandate for the future of the arts. As President and CEO of the Werklund Centre in Calgary, he's leading the largest cultural infrastructure project in Canadian history, a transformation that will soon make the organization the country's largest performing arts campus. But Alex is quick to point out that bricks and mortar aren't the real story. The deeper shift is philosophical: a move away from mission statements as fixed declarations and toward a practice of asking, "What does the world need right now that we are uniquely positioned to do?" In this episode, Alex reflects on the evolution underway at the Werklund Centre and the ideas behind his best-selling book The Audacity of Relevance. He offers a roadmap for leaders ready to create with their community—not for them—and makes a compelling case for why relevance is the most powerful strategy we have for building a sustainable, future-facing cultural sector. LINKS Werklund Centre: https://werklundcentre.ca/  The Audacity of Relevance: https://www.alexsarian.com/book 

The future of arts and culture depends on leaders who can innovate, adapt, and inspire—and Deborah Rutter has been doing it at the highest levels. With five decades of experience leading premier cultural institutions across the United States, she knows what it takes to drive meaningful change while keeping artists and audiences at the center.  In this live episode from Boot Camp 2025, the former President of the Kennedy Center and current Vice Provost for the Arts at Duke University shares lessons from her career on leading through periods of transformational growth and building the financial and operational resilience needed to sustain our organizations.   

It's Boot Camp week! In this special mini episode, Capacity's President Christopher Williams joins host Monica Holt to pull back the curtain on Boot Camp, the leading conference for arts and culture professionals. They dive into how this year's program came together, the sessions they're most excited about, and how courage and curiosity are the keys to a stronger sector. LINKS: Boot Camp 2025

Shanta Thake sees artistic curation as a practice rooted in curiosity and community connection. As the Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Shanta is helping redefine what one of the world's most storied institutions can be. Since joining in 2021, she's helped usher in an era of experimentation and access to ensure the arts remain central to New York City's civic life. In this episode, Shanta reflects on what it means to democratize the programming process, how the arts contribute to community wellbeing, and why leading with curiosity sparks meaningful innovation. She also takes listeners behind the scenes of initiatives like Lincoln Center's West Side Expansion and Summer for the City—efforts rooted in humility, collaboration, and partnership with local communities. LINKS: Lincoln Center | A New West Side Lincoln Center | Summer for the City Citizen University | Power Walk Field Guide

For Rachel S. Moore, the arts aren't just a mirror for society. They're a means of shaping it. As President and CEO of The Music Center in Los Angeles, she oversees one of the largest performing arts centers in North America, stewarding $3 billion in county assets and programming that reaches hundreds of thousands of Angelenos each year. A former professional dancer with American Ballet Theatre (she's also its former CEO and executive director), Rachel brings an artist's discipline to leadership—and a belief that creativity and civic life are deeply intertwined. In this episode, Rachel shares what ballet has taught her about resilience and collaboration, how The Music Center works to stay accountable to its community, and why building relevance doesn't just sustain our organizations, but strengthens democracy itself. LINKS: The Music Center

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