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.

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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