In June 2022,  the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) launched its award-winning podcast, ARTS. WORK. LIFE.,  a platform dedicated to amplifying the bold, untold stories of performing arts workers. Since its inception, the podcast has gained momentum, and now the producers are issuing an open call for submissions for Season 3, potentially featuring your story.

“The podcast was conceived during a pivotal moment,” shares Jenny Thomas, Director of Marketing and Communications and one of the producers of the podcast. “Two years into the pandemic, one thing was uber-clear: people working in the performing arts were hurting. While discomfort has often been part of our industry, whether concealed or worn as a badge of honor, by 2022, the reality was undeniable. Long-standing issues were pushed to the surface: self-care, equity, identity, jobs (whether there was too much hustle or too many hats to wear), and more. And these issues cried out for a voice.”

The shifts experienced during the pandemic, coupled with the call for racial reckoning, prompted the APAP team to initiate this project, featuring the authentic experiences of performing arts workers. The core mission today remains the same, as Season 3 aims to capture the human experience behind the public and visible work of performing arts professionals.

Thomas highlights the ever-changing environment inherent in the performing arts, presenting both challenges and inspirations. “Season two featured stories like Audrey Rose Dégez’s journey to find a new home for her art amidst the Ukraine war and Beatrice Thomas’s resilience in continuing Drag Queen Story Hour despite death threats. What is constant in the performing arts world is change. And arts workers are among the best at both moving through and inspiring change.”

Seasons one and two explored themes ranging from inclusion, finances, and work/life balance to community, recruitment, and letting go. While these topics, along with many others reflecting both the micro and macro aspects of our lives, remain pertinent, the podcast producers are particularly interested in receiving story submissions that address broader societal issues and encapsulate relatable, human-scale moments.

The producers encourage English-speaking performing arts professionals, especially those working behind the scenes, to submit their stories, irrespective of discipline or genre by the priority deadline of March 21, 2024.  Submissions  from across the U.S., North America, and worldwide are welcome, aligning with APAP’s mission to amplify diverse voices in the performing arts.

Produced by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, with support from the Wallace Foundation, ARTS. WORK. LIFE. received the Bronze Anthem Award (A Webby) in January 2024 and Gold for Best Podcast at the Association Trends “Trendy” Awards in March 2023.

Editor note 3/21/2024 – Submission deadline is now extended until April 9th.