What does it mean to be an Artistic Director, especially in today’s ever-evolving theater landscape? In this kickoff episode of our Artistic Director Mini-Series, Jennifer sits down with Lisa McNulty, Producing Artistic Director of WP Theater—the oldest and largest theater in the country dedicated to work by women+ artists. Lisa shares her journey, the lessons she’s learned from working at top institutions, and the complexities of running a mission-driven organization in these challenging times. Together they discuss WP’s various programs and she offers invaluable insights on building meaningful relationships with institutions, getting your work seen as an emerging artist. ways to break down barriers to access, and a rallying call to artists: don’t wait for permission—create the work that matters to you. WFrom strategic career moves to the power of artistic inquiry, Lisa’s insights will leave you inspired to take action, trust your voice, and create work that truly matters.

About Lisa: Lisa McNulty (she/her/hers) is an award-winning Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theater producer who recently celebrated ten years as the Producing Artistic Director of WP Theater. Under Lisa’s leadership, WP has been awarded Drama Desk, Lortel, and OBIE Awards for institutional excellence, and has proudly provided an Off-Broadway home to hundreds of extraordinary Women+ artists. Lisa comes to WP from Manhattan Theatre Club, where she served as Artistic Line Producer for eight seasons, working on more than 30 productions both on and off Broadway, including plays by Lynn Nottage, Sarah Treem, Harvey Fierstein, and Tarell Alvin McCraney, among many, many others. Lisa has a long history with WP Theater. She was originally hired by the company’s founder, Julia Miles, as the Literary Manager from 1997-2000, where she dramaturged work by María Irene Fornés, Julie Hébert, and Karen Hartman, among others, and in 2004, she returned to WP as its Associate Artistic Director, working on projects with artists including Diane Paulus and Dierdre Murray, Rinne Groff, and Lisa D’Amour. From 2000-2004 she was McCarter Theater’s Producing Associate, and her independent producing career includes projects with Sarah Ruhl, Todd Almond, Lucy Thurber and Lear Debessonet. Lisa’s leadership is underwritten by the BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle, an initiative to support and promote women’s theater leadership funded by Helen Gurley Brown Foundation.

Lisa's IG:@lisamcnulty

WP Theater's IG: @wptheater

WP Theater's Website: wptheater.org

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