CI to Eye with Monica Holt

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.

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.

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.

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 a celebrated cultural landmark through a decade of growth, change, and possibility.

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 the collaborative nature of his work and the responsibility designers carry in shaping how audiences experience a narrative. He also offers an inside glimpse at how ideas move from sketch to stage, and why the most powerful design choices serve the story rather than call attention to themselves.

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.

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.

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.

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.