The word inclusion is heard a lot in the arts industry, but are we truly inclusive? Episode 1 explores who is and isn't in the room, disability and access, the toll of leading DEI efforts, and choosing which community to serve and why.

Introduction: “Language Barriers” with Claudia Norman, an independent producer, artistic director and cultural worker based in Queens, New York.

Act One: “The First Step” with Lynne Jordan, a Chicago-based singer, band leader, writer and emcee.

Act Two: “Unfiltered” with Michael Sakamoto, the performing arts curator and director of the Asian and Asian-American Arts and culture program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center.

Act Three: “Going In Circles” with Anthony Torres, former trauma therapist and executive director of Combat Hippies, a Miami-based theater group for Puerto Rican military veterans.

You can find a transcript, episode guide and resources related to the themes discussed in episode 1 on APAP’s website: https://apap365.org/podcast/arts-work-life-podcast-season-1-episode-1/

Are you a performing arts worker with a story to tell? Submit it here: https://bit.ly/AWLpodsubmit