Anti-Racism and the Arts: Marketing Leaders Respond!
Channel: HowlRound Theatre Commons
Date: 2020-08-20

Reynaldi Lindner Lolong presented Anti-Racism And The Arts livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 19 August 2020.

In a time where many arts organizations only exist online through websites, digital content, and social media channels, combined with a growing public accountability for social justice and institutional transparency, the role of the marketing and communications director is uniquely poised to bring about change. At the same time, these roles often sit within traditional white supremacist power structures designed to reinforce the industry norms.

This conversation will bring together four leaders in theater, music, dance, and opera for a frank discussion on the industry, anti-racism, and their aspirations for the future of the field.

MODERATOR
Samanta Cubias is second-year M.F.A. candidate in Theater Management at the Yale School of Drama. Prior to beginning her graduate studies, she worked at Berkeley Repertory Theatre as the Audience Development Manager and served as a teaching artist with Berkeley Interactive Theater, participating in and facilitating workshops exploring the creation of inclusive classrooms and workplaces. In 2018, Samanta was selected to be in the inaugural cohort of the League of Resident Theatres’ Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Mentorship Program. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Theater and Performance Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

PANELISTS
Khalilah Elliot is the Founder & Chief Disruptor at Gafford Communications, LLC, a revolutionary consulting firm focused on providing deliberate and impactful communications strategies that promote equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) throughout all aspects of a client’s business operations with an emphasis on multicultural marketing, brand management, corporate social responsibility and ED&I initiatives, as well as ongoing engagement of internal and external audiences of color.

India Haggins is the Director of Ticket Sales and Marketing at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where she oversees the subscription, single ticket and audience acquisition marketing strategy for Rose Theater, The Appel Room and Dizzy’s Club. She managed the institution’s shift to a digital-first marketing strategy and continues to have a passion for creating narrative content that deepens audience engagement and a connection to the music. During COVID, India has also managed Jazz at Lincoln Center’s transition from being one of the leading producing and presenting jazz performing arts institutions to a digital content company focusing on virtual classes, concerts, music and discussion.

Anh Lê is the Director of Marketing & Public Relations at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, where she oversees all sales campaigns and audience development strategies while providing key strategic support for company-wide community engagement efforts. In addition to her duties at OTSL, Ms. Le has been a passionate advocate for diversity and equity in the opera field and currently sits on OPERA America’s ALAANA Steering Committee. Ms. Le completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard University and received an M.F.A. in theater management from the Yale School of Drama.

Cecile Oreste is the Senior Communications Officer at the University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, where she devises and implements marketing and public relations campaigns that advance the school’s strategic priorities. Prior to joining USC Kaufman, she worked as the Associate Director of Marketing at Signature Theatre and as the School Marketing Manager at Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. In addition to completing a one-year project management internship in London through the Mountbatten Institute, she received a B.S. in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

PRODUCER/HOST
Reynaldi Lindner Lolong is the Director of Digital Engagement for The Public Theater and founder of the unofficial group BAMF (BIPOC Arts Marketing Folks). Past organizations include Yale Repertory Theater, Paper Mill Playhouse, and Z Space/Theater Artaud in San Francisco. He has been a frequent presenter at the Tessitura Conference, speaking on a variety of subjects including revenue strategy, organizational collaboration, and community engagement; a guest lecturer for Julliard; and has served on grant panels for NAMT, NYSCA, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.