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What can Broadway teach us about leadership, organizational culture, innovation, and inclusion?
In this episode of DBA Chronicles, hosts Dr. Kelly Burich and Dr. Valrie Grant welcome Dr. Conwell Worthington III—Broadway management professional, educator, and newly minted DBA, for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of theater, business, and applied research.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience managing Broadway and national productions, Dr. Worthington shares how working behind the curtain shaped his philosophy of leadership, communication, and creating psychologically safeteams. He explains why the best managers often go unnoticed, much like the countless professionals whose work makes every successful production possible.
The conversation explores his transition from theater executive to university educator and how he brings the principles of stage management into the businessclassroom, helping students understand leadership, adaptability, marketing, and organizational behavior through real-world stories from the performing arts.
The episode also highlights Dr. Worthington's doctoral research examining racial representation in theatrical casting and its influence on audience engagement. His findings challenge assumptions about audience preferences, demonstrating that talent and performance excellence can transcend traditional casting expectations while offering practical insights for producers seeking to broadenand diversify theater audiences.
In this episode you'll discover:
- Why leadership often happens behind the scenes
- Lessons theater management offers every business leader
- How creating psychologically safe environments improves team performance
- The surprising parallels between stage management and classroom leadership
- What research reveals about representation, belonging, and audience engagement
- Why diversity is both a cultural and strategic advantage
- How scholar-practitioners can bridge research and real-world impact
Whether you're a business leader, researcher, educator, creative professional, or DBA student, this episode demonstrates how applied research can help solve real industry challenges while building more inclusive organizations and stronger communities.
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Website: www.dbachronicles.org
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