The Scene Room
The Scene Room Podcast spotlights the movers and makers redefining the performing arts—focusing on innovative marketing, leadership, and the importance of collaboration. Hosted by Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowman, with a keen eye on audience trends and cultural shifts, the goal is to explore how artists and organizations are connecting with communities, shaping the future, and redefining what it means to engage and inspire.
Jennifer Rowley — The Approachable Diva: Strategy, Strength, and Community
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When Jennifer Rowley steps onto the stage, audiences witness the culmination of meticulous preparation, physical discipline, and an authentic artistic presence that extends far beyond the footlights. But what happens behind the scenes? How does a world-class soprano navigate today's complex performing arts landscape?
Jennifer's approach to her craft breaks conventional boundaries. Rather than maintaining an untouchable "diva" image, she's built vibrant communities across social platforms where she personally engages with every comment and message. "I like being the approachable diva," she explains, revealing how this digital connection translates to meaningful...
Ben Dietschi — The AI Revolution in Arts Administration
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The transformative potential of artificial intelligence in arts management takes center stage in this forward-thinking conversation with Ben Dietschi, Senior Consultant at the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management. Drawing from his extensive experience as the former Executive Director of SoundStreams and his current project developing AI training programs for arts administrators and organizations, Dietschi offers a compelling vision of how cultural organizations can adapt to an increasingly digital landscape.
The discussion opens with Dietschi's personal journey into arts administration, sparked by a profound moment during a high school band...
Christian Van Horn — Voice, Power, Authenticity
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Christian Van Horn joins us for a refreshingly candid conversation about the evolving opera landscape and the challenges emerging artists face today. The renowned bass-baritone, currently performing at Paris Opera (as Philippe II in Verdi's Don Carlos), shares how traditional career trajectories have dramatically lengthened, with young artists often remaining in training programs well into their late thirties – a stark contrast to his own path.
"We are the media now," he asserts, explaining how his successful podcast (CVH Podcast) unexpectedly transformed not just his connection with audiences but his entire approach to...
David Lomelà — Tenor to Innovator: Shaping Opera’s New Era
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When David LomelĂ's blossoming career as a tenor was cut short by severe health issues, he didn't leave opera—he transformed how it works from behind the scenes. This conversation takes us through his remarkable journey from a naturally gifted singer in Mexico to becoming one of opera's most influential casting directors and artistic leaders.
LomelĂ brings remarkable candor to his discussion of opera's business realities. Having seen the industry from both sides of the curtain, he reveals how financial pressures increasingly drive artistic decisions, with programming often shaped more by d...
Michael Morreale — The Power of Consistency in Digital Strategy for Artists and Organizations
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The digital landscape has transformed how artists connect with audiences, but what strategies actually work in today's crowded online space? Michael Morreale, digital content producer and arts consultant with experience spanning brands like CBC, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and beyond, offers a refreshingly practical approach to arts marketing.
"Our job isn't to pitch stories to media outlets anymore. Our job is to tell our own story," Michael explains, cutting through the noise to what really matters. Drawing from his experience creating content that reached 16 million Canadians during Canada's sesquicentennial celebration, he shares...
Aubrey Bergauer — Running Your Arts Organization Like a Business
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Imagine doubling your audience size and quadrupling your donor base in today's challenging arts landscape. That's exactly what Aubrey Bergauer accomplished at the California Symphony by applying business principles to arts administration — and now she's sharing her playbook with us. Her bestselling book, Run It Like a Business, packs all these insights into one powerful guide!
Aubrey's journey into arts administration began at the age of 16 when she realized there were careers beyond performance in the orchestra world. Twenty years later, she's revolutionizing how arts organizations approach audience development through data-driven st...
Cate Pisaroni — Reimagining How We Connect Artists with Audiences
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What happens when arts marketers get caught in a loop of generic language like "spellbinding performances" and "timeless classics"? Cate Pisaroni, founder of Lenny's Studio and representative for artists like Joyce DiDonato, Ailyn Pérez, Christian Van Horn, Quinn Kelsey, Stephen Costello, Evan Rogister and many more offers a refreshingly honest take on where arts marketing falls short – and how we can take it to the next level.
Cate brings a wealth of experience to this conversation, sharing how meaningful content emerges when marketers step outside of their silos and immerse the...
Alex Sarian — Relevance and Leadership in the Arts
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Join us as we sit down with Alex Sarian, bestselling author of The Audacity of Relevance and President and CEO of Calgary's Arts Commons. Sarian’s innovative approach to cultural leadership has not only transformed Calgary’s Arts Commons but also unlocked over $500 million in funding, reshaping cultural leadership across Canada. This marks the largest cultural infrastructure project in Canadian history.
In this episode, Sarian shares how he leads Arts Commons with a focus on community engagement and a service-oriented leadership model...
Alexander Brose — Unlocking Potential: The Power of Music Education
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With over 25 years of experience, Alexander Brose shares his unique leadership journey. He highlights the invaluable year spent shadowing his predecessor, Peter Simon. This opportunity gave him rare insights and a wealth of institutional knowledge, laying the foundation to lead the Royal Conservatory of Music through its next phase of growth.
We dive into the rich history of The Royal Conservatory of Music and its crucial role in promoting music education across Canada and beyond. As public school music programs face budget cuts, Brose emphasizes the importance of expanding access to...
Michael Dobbin — Bridging Cinema and Streaming
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In this episode, we sit down with Michael Dobbin, founding director of Quiet Revolution Pictures (Canada) and Peardrop Productions (UK), and founder of JustWatchMe.TV, a platform dedicated to elevating independent films. Michael shares insights on how the platform supports filmmakers by providing visibility and helping them navigate production financing—especially in the often-overlooked realm of Canadian cinema.
We also explore live screening capabilities, where audiences can host their own community-driven viewings, encouraging deeper engagement with stories that resonate. As...
