Inclusive STAGES: Building Healthy Arts Spaces

Talking to a closeted Trump supporter about politics, inclusion, and what theater needs now.

In this season finale, I sit down with my longtime friend, Julie D'Alessandro, a Boston-based voice teacher who has long kept her political views private. Together, we have a rare, candid conversation about inclusive theater, conservative voices in the arts, and what it takes to bridge political divides without losing compassion.

From arts funding cuts to the quiet presence of Trump supporters in creative spaces, we discuss the fear, belonging, and courage it takes to keep listening.

This one’s challenging, hopeful, and full of hope about how theater can move forward.

Check out the full show notes and other resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/talking-to-closeted-trump-supporters

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if the greatest threat to theater right now isn’t empty seats, but burnout in the arts?

In this solo episode, I open up about the strain so many artists and leaders are facing, and why creative leadership strategies and even AI might hold part of the answer. From admin overload to outdated business models, I share a vision for tools and systems that center care, equity, and sustainability.

This one’s candid, urgent, and full of hope. 

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the full show notes and other resources at  

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/burnout-is-breaking-us-heres-the-pivot-arts-leaders-need

Mentioned Links

Waitlist for From Burnout to AI and Automation Strategies for Arts Leaders 

Inclusive Stages Residency (London, November 2025)

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if the most powerful tool for change in theater isn’t performance, but conversation?

I sit down with my dad, retired firefighter Fred Cowan, for a candid family conversation about race, theater, equity, and what it takes to build genuine inclusion. From fighting fires in public service to calling out tokenism in the arts, he shares stories of resilience, honesty, and the power of difficult conversations.

This one’s heartfelt and full of wisdom.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the full show notes and other resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/family-meeting-race-theater-and-fighting-fires-onstage-and-off

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if the most powerful way to confront antisemitism… is by celebrating Jewish joy?

I sit down with actor and singer Ari Axelrod, who shows how Jewish representation in theater goes far beyond casting—it’s about telling the complete story of a community’s history, resilience, and contributions. From calling out double standards in the arts to creating space for genuine, inclusive conversations, Ari blends personal stories with practical ways to stand in solidarity.

This one’s thoughtful, courageous, and full of heart.

Check out the full show notes and other resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/post-october-7-jewish-theater-identity-hard-conversations

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if your biggest barrier to belonging in a theater space was the hair that grows naturally out of your head?

In this candid and eye-opening conversation, Jade Buffong-Phillips of Mane Hook-Up shares why textured hair in theater is more than a beauty concern. It’s an issue of equity, access, and care. From backstage realities to industry-wide gaps, Jade unpacks the overlooked details that define whether artists truly feel seen and supported.

This one’s honest, affirming, and full of real-world insight.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the show notes and other resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/why-we-still-cant-find-a-stylist-who-gets-our-hair-with-jade-buffong-phillips

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if the most important thing a leader brings into the room… isn’t a resume, but a sense of culture?

In this thoughtful and timely conversation, Melory Mirashrafi shares why they consider themselves a culture worker first, and how that lens transforms the way we create theater. From Persian epics to Pulitzer-winning plays, Melory unpacks what it takes to build spaces rooted in trust, agency, and care.

This one’s wise, grounded, and full of quiet fire.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the full show notes and more resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/making-culture-not-just-theater-with-melory-mirashrafi

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if the stories you’re most connected to… are the ones you're being excluded from?

In this important conversation, Mara Jill Herman shares what it means to be a Jewish artist and “artivist” in today’s theater world. From casting bias to creative resistance, she demonstrates how identity, advocacy, and art can intersect powerfully.

This one’s bold, layered, and full of heart.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the show notes and resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/jewish-joy-and-artivism-with-mara-jill-herman

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if the future of theatre isn’t just about new work, but about new leadership to support it?

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Carewe of Theatre503 in London to explore what inclusive theatre leadership really looks like across the pond, and what we can learn from it. From championing debut playwrights to navigating UK arts funding challenges, Emily offers a refreshingly honest take on how small theatres can lead big change.

We talk about what it means to stay mission-driven when resources are tight, how to center care without bureaucracy, and why investing in early career artists is a radical act of leadership.

🎉 And…we’re officially bringing Inclusive Stages to London this fall for our first international residency! You’ll hear how this collaboration came to life and why this kind of global dialogue is essential to the future of our field.

This episode is generous, grounded, and full of insight, reminding us that innovation in leadership often starts at the margins.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the show notes and resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/new-work-needs-new-leadership-what-we-can-learn-from-across-the-pond

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

What if the tension you’re feeling in the rehearsal room isn’t just about the work, but about how we define harm and discomfort?

In this solo episode, I explore the growing disconnect in creative spaces and share a practical tool, the Stoplight System, to help you tune into your body, name what’s really happening, and respond with care. From personal stories to questions that can shift entire conversations, this episode invites you to lead with more clarity, courage, and compassion.

This one’s tender, honest, and so needed right now.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the show notes and resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/harm-or-discomfort-how-artists-tell-the-difference

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

Most artists crave authenticity, but what happens when the systems we’re trained in ask us to perform instead of feel?

Sound healing artist and singer Davin Youngs joins me to discuss reclaiming one's voice, unlearning perfectionism, and reimagining performance as a space for healing, presence, and transformation. We talk about the ways formal training can limit creative freedom—and how Davin found his way back to joy. 

This episode is a bold invitation to rethink what performance can be.

Enjoy the episode, friends!

Check out the full show notes and resources at 

https://www.inclusivestages.com/post/freeing-your-voice-reimagining-traditional-arts-spaces

Connect with Kira:
@kiratroilo
@artandsoulconsulting
@inclusivestages
"'Black Hair'" Is Hair: An Entertainment Industry Guide
Website
Join our mailing list - scroll to the bottom of the page


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.