Membership Spotlight – May 2026

A few seasons back I worked with the Gershwin estate to book A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was a lot of fun booking the more commercial side of young audience theatricals. Working with promoters, interesting deal structures dealing with royalties, backends, splits etc that really allowed me to grow as an agent. It was a great show as well and I loved seeing kids’ reactions as the music started and those characters hit the stage. Pure joy.

Two summers ago I spent a month in Italy with my family. Aside from it being an all around incredible experience I’ll never forget walking into the Sistine Chapel. It really takes your breath away and you have to internalize it as they don’t allow you to talk. I’m not a particularly religious person but that will always inspire me. I think about it often.

Looking forward to being able to tour the 4th installment for Mister C Live entitled The Science of Sound! If you aren’t familiar with Kevin Cornell he’s an amazing performer and brings so much to the stage and performing for youth. As a former teacher and administrator he has such a great handle on how to engage with young audiences on stage and off. He navigates how to be an entertainer while at the same time conveying really in depth science concepts to the audience. He also has a presence on PBS and online with his youtube channel learningscienceisfun. He’s really the total package, a great guy to boot.

Sooo many reasons. First, we have to give kids an alternative to the screen. I struggle -STRUGGLE with this daily with my 12 and 9 year olds constantly on youtube shorts and social media (which we try to limit as much as we can). There was a recent study I read about where if you only spend 2 hours a day in front of the screen at a young age it alters their brain chemistry. Having that exposure to the theatre is invaluable and may make them realize, at least a little bit, that there are other forms of entertainment available to them. Taking my kids to see shows played at least a little role in them wanting to try out for their school plays and performing in various summer camps. They now like to consider themselves “theatre kids” and even then the screen struggle remains!  Theatre for Young audiences are another way to learn. Seeing and hearing stories from other cultures on stage gives them a perspective that they can’t get at home. Shows that give hands-on experiences on the stage open their imagination and inspire them to create their own stories. Finally, Young Audiences are our future ticket buyers. If we don’t engage them early they may never develop that appreciation to want to attend that theatrical experience or concert. The benefits go on and on. I’m very lucky to be a part of this industry.

He’s retired now but Steve Heath at Alma Artists was an amazing person, friend and collaborator. I worked with him on several tours of B – The Underwater Bubble Show and Alice – Dreaming of Wonderland and a couple of seasons with Cirque Kalabante. Smart, knowledgeable, a ton of experience in the market I was able to lean on him if I had questions  really in any area of the business. He’s living his best life in Mexico – Steve if you are reading this we need to discuss your casita availability.

Brad and Barbara Simon. My first bosses in the business. I learned so much in the seven years I worked for them. They really gave me the confidence and experience to open Geodesic.

www.geodesicmanagement.com and keith@geodesicmanagement.com are the best ways.

We recently opened Seussical at Nashville Children’s Theatre and it is an absolute delight getting to see 3000+ kiddos each week dancing in their seats and walking away with a message of kindness and empathy.

I’m really inspired by new works like Finn by Chris Nee, Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond. We need more beautiful, brave stories like these being told and produced!

I dream of creating more new works that celebrate underrepresented voices and unsung heroes. I’m currently developing a new musical-play called “Book Women” about the Pack Horse Librarians of Appalachia in 1935-1943. It explores these brave women’s stories, while also examining themes like censorship, civil disobedience and camaraderie.

I love filling the TYA space with stories that open minds and hearts, especially if I can help deliver themes of positivity to people and places that could really use those reminders. I may not be able to change the minds of most adults who are set in their ways, but I relish every opportunity where I can plant a seed of love and compassion in the minds of tomorrow’s leaders. Also, young people make the best audiences! They are brilliant, creative, and ready to go on any/every imaginative adventure that we can dream up.

My all-time favorite collaborator is Chris Causer. We’ve worked on many projects over the years and I hope there are many many more to come. I feel so lucky to have a creative partner who challenges and supports me in the ways that he does. I would not be the artist I am today if it wasn’t for the past ten years of collaborating together with Chris.

Shout out to Susan Hilferty and Constance Hoffman. These two extraordinary women taught me so much during my time at Tisch and they continue to support me and my career all these years later. They are amazing humans!

JenileeHoughton.com.

​​In my role at New 42, my job is to ensure the audience experience is welcoming and accessible for every kid and family member! I’ve really enjoyed doing this work for our shows this season, and the passion the high school and college students in our Youth Corps have for making the theater more accessible for young people

My current role is very administrative and I’m trying to make more space for my own artistic practice. I’ve been in pottery classes for the last 6 months and being creative outside of the field has been so wonderful!

When I worked at Disney Theatrical Group, adapting Moana JR. for amateur licensing was an all time favorite experience. It would be a dream to direct a TYA version of this show; someone let me do it!

Young people are the greatest audience at any show! Their reactions are so authentic and incredible, and the theatre is a place where they can experience authentic and unbridled JOY.

Lauren Chapman! My long time create collaborator and jazz hander extraordinaire. We have choreographed and directed many shows with young people together, and every time it is the absolute best!

Lindsey Buller Maliekel! My current boss at New 42 and an incredible mentor. I learn so much working with her and her point of view on how audiences and artists relate to each other is truly inspiring.

I don’t have a website, but please come find me at a conference or a show and let’s chat!