The Middle Woman - a roadmap to managing the performing arts

Why a podcast on managing the performing arts? In this episode, Laura Colby shares her journey of becoming a performing arts manager, creating Elsie Management, and the evolution of her roster. Self-taught, her skill-set evolved as her role in the field developed. Colby reveals her learning process and the choice to put her skills at the service of artists with the higher purpose of bringing lesser-known and under-represented performance work to stages and audiences around the globe.

Laura's Bio

Recipient of the 2016 Liz Silverstein NAPAMA Award for Agent-Manager of the Year, Laura Colby formed Elsie Management in 1995. Representing a global roster of dance, theater, special projects, and outdoor spectacle, Elsie Management specializes in singular voices for the global stage. Colby most recently served on the APAP board for three terms, in the position of Vice President in her final term. She founded Dance/USA’s Agents and Artist Manager Producer Council, serving as the Council’s Founding Chair for three years and on the board of Dance/USA for four years. Colby has been an invited speaker for The Joyce Theater Foundation, Western Arts Alliance, Australian Performing Arts Market, CAPACOA (Canadian Association for the Performing Arts), Fordham University, University of Kansas, and NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts, AUS), among others. Colby co-manages the Dance Managers Collective’s annual APAP showcasing efforts with Jennifer Morris (Siegel Artist Management) and served on NAPAMA’s board (2007 & 2008 as President). During the pandemic, she was active with industry efforts for more equitable contracting, contributing to the Creating New Futures Phase 1 writing group: https://creatingnewfutures.tumblr.com. She received her BFA in dance from The Juilliard School. www.elsieman.org

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Link to transcript, glossary, and more!

Credits

Created by Elsie Management

Opening & Ending Credits by Madison Doyle

Music by Manual Cinema