CI to Eye with Monica Holt

Audiences don’t just want to watch theater; they want to step inside it. Few people understand that better than casting director Kate Lumpkin. Kate has become a go-to voice in immersive performance, shaping productions that dissolve the line between stage and audience. Her latest project? Masquerade NYC: an immersive Phantom of the Opera revival now running Off Broadway.  For Kate, immersive work isn’t a trend. It’s a response to what audiences are hungry for: connection, participation, and community. Her vision flips the question from “How do we fill the seats?” to “How do we open the doors wider?” LINKS: Kate Lumpkin Casting Masquerade NYC James Madison University | School of Theater and Dance

Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council and former creative performer, discusses the importance of integrating arts into public policy. He emphasizes the need for artists and institutions to collaborate with government for community improvement. Bobbitt shares insights on the Massachusetts arts prescribing program, which connects arts to healthcare benefits. He also advocates for arts leaders to engage with legislators and foster cross-sector partnerships to enhance the sector's political power and visibility.

Macy Schmidt, founder of The Sinfonietta and CEO of Overture Global Entertainment, is a trailblazer in live orchestral design with a focus on audience engagement. She shares how her childhood love for Disney fueled her creative journey and reflects on her work launching women-led orchestras to enhance representation. The discussion highlights her innovative Macy Method and the bold pitch to Mattel that led to Barbie the Movie in Concert, showcasing the blend of niche art with mainstream culture and the emotional impact of immersive performances.

In this engaging discussion, Erin Harkey, CEO of Americans for the Arts and former cultural policy shaper in Chicago, tackles the pressing challenges facing the arts today. She reveals her unexpected initiation into arts advocacy amidst funding cuts and emphasizes the critical role of community and public support. Erin highlights joy as a form of resistance and shares practical advice for sustaining arts initiatives. Listeners learn about the economic impact of the arts and the transformative power of cultural experiences in uniting people.

What turns a live event into a cultural moment people never forget? David Jammy has some answers. As Executive Producer at Done+Dusted, he’s helped shape global broadcasts from the Emmys and Kennedy Center Honors to the Global Citizen Festival and the Mark Twain Prize. In this conversation, David traces his path from student activist in apartheid-era South Africa to producing events that capture history as it happens. He shares his storytelling philosophy, the challenge of turning fleeting moments into lasting television, and the behind-the-scenes story of the 2025 Mark Twain Prize honoring Conan O’Brien—a night that doubled as both a tribute and an act of resistance. It’s a reminder that live events aren’t just entertainment. They can be culture’s way of recording history in real time. ----- LINKS: Done+Dusted Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale (2013)   PBS | Jon Stewart Mark Twain Prize Acceptance Speech   Netflix | Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Variety | How Done+Dusted Found the Right Tone for Conan O’Brien’s Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize, as Both a Celebration and a Wake: ‘It Was So Cathartic’

AI is changing how we work. What does that mean for arts and culture? Jen Taylor, Capacity Interactive’s Director of AI Strategy and Integration, shares what her research with over 100 arts leaders and administrators reveals about where the field really stands with AI: a mix of curiosity, caution, and untapped opportunity. In this episode, Jen and Monica unpack how AI can save time for under-resourced teams, how organizations can build policies that align with their missions, and why the technology should amplify—not replace—human creativity. This episode is your guide to embracing AI without losing sight of what makes the arts human. LINKS: Capacity Interactive | AI Services and The State of the Arts in 2025 Report Nonprofit Quarterly | How Nonprofits Can Create Ethical AI Policies Reuters | ChatGPT sets record for fastest-growing user base The Marketing AI Institute | 2024 State of Marketing AI Report Anthropic | AI Fluency Course Punchdrunk

What happens when a cultural district leads a city’s revival? As President and CEO of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Kendra Whitlock Ingram is leading the cultural district through a new era of civic transformation—building public spaces, breaking down barriers to access, and reimagining what a cultural district can be. In this episode, Kendra and Monica Holt explore what it takes to lead complex institutions, foster inclusive programming, and make the arts central to a city’s future—not just its history. LINKS: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Pittsburgh Magazine | Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Unveils Plans for the New ‘Arts Landing’ Downtown

Clive Chang, President and CEO of YoungArts, dives into the need for legacy arts institutions to innovate like start-ups. He discusses balancing creativity with business acumen, revealing how his dual background shaped his perspective. Chang emphasizes the importance of fostering unrestricted artistic collaboration, exemplified by the Collider program at Lincoln Center. He advocates for rethinking artistic boundaries and the necessity of financial literacy for emerging artists in today's gig economy. Ultimately, he champions centering artists in decision-making processes within arts organizations.

A bold new chapter. A brilliant new voice. CI’s President Christopher Williams kicks off a new season of CI to Eye by welcoming Monica Holt, this season's host and Senior Advisor to Capacity Interactive. Monica reflects on her 16-year journey at the Kennedy Center, the passion that’s driven her work, and all things Evita—plus what to expect from upcoming episodes. ---- LINKS: New York Times | ‘Just in Time’ Review: Jonathan Groff Channels Bobby Darin NPR | This summer's most talked-about performance on London's West End isn't onstage Forbes | Trump Takes Over Kennedy Center In War On ‘Woke’ Programming—Here’s What To Know CI to Eye | The New Generation of Arts Leaders

Marketing and development teams in arts and cultural organizations work toward the same goals: generating revenue, deepening relationships, and advancing the mission. But too often, they’re doing that work in silos—on separate timelines, using different tools, and speaking to the same audiences in different ways. The result? Missed opportunities and diminished impact. In this episode, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Director of Marketing, Jeanna Vella, and Director of Development, Sara Clark, share what happens when we break down silos and create true cross-departmental partnerships. They reveal the tools and tactics that keep their teams aligned, the hurdles they’ve worked through, and what any organization can do to build stronger alignment between marketing and development. CI to Eye Interview (time) - Dan sits down with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to discuss their experience breaking down silos and creating true cross-departmental partnerships. CI-lebrity Sightings (time) - Dan shares his favorite stories of CI clients in the news. This episode spotlights Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Atlanta Ballet.  LINKS: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company The Violin Channel | Baltimore Symphony Receives $5m Gift Towards Family and Educational Programming WLWT News | Cincinnati Art Museum planning expansion to make Art Climb more accessible TODAY | 100-year-old ballet instructor shares his 3 simple tips for a long, healthy life