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Burnout Is Breaking Us — Here’s the Pivot Arts Leaders Need



What if the biggest challenge facing theater right now isn’t talent or ticket sales, but burnout in the arts?


In this solo episode of Inclusive STAGES, I’m stepping away from guests and panels to talk directly with you about something I’ve been hearing and feeling across the industry: leaders and artists are being stretched to the breaking point, caught between their creative vision and the daily grind of survival.


 

We’ll explore why so many creatives are burning out, how outdated business models are failing us, and why creative leadership strategies rooted in care and sustainability matter more than ever.

 

And yes, we’ll also talk about AI. Not as a buzzword, but as a tool that could lighten the administrative weight, free up space for bold ideas, and help us rebuild systems that support people.


Here’s what we cover:

  • Why burnout in the arts is a systemic issue, not a personal failing

  • How today’s business models prioritize growth over resilience (and what that costs us)

  • The role of AI in the arts and how automation can support leaders and freelancers

  • Practical examples of how automation for arts leaders can ease admin overload and restore creative energy

  • What sustainable creative leadership looks like in practice, and why it’s urgent now 


This conversation is equal parts candid and hopeful. If you’ve ever felt like the hustle was draining the joy out of your work, I hope it reminds you that you’re not broken; the system is. And if you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a way forward that centers both artistry and well-being, you’ll hear why I believe there is.


At its heart, this episode is an invitation: to reimagine the future of theater with clarity, equity, and care.

 

Thanks for listening. And remember, the work of building sustainable, inclusive theater is creative work, too, and it starts with us choosing differently.



Links & Mentioned Resources



Connect with Kira:


Thanks for joining me on this episode of Inclusive Stages! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help me reach even more theater makers, theater artists, and theater lovers who want to make our industry a better place for everyone.


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.


More about the Inclusive STAGES Podcast


Inclusive STAGES™ Building Healthy Arts Spaces is the podcast for theater makers, creatives, and arts leaders who believe we can build a better industry—one brave, emotionally intelligent, and trauma-informed space at a time. Hosted by Kira Troilo, founder of Art & Soul Consulting, each episode explores what it really takes to create inclusive, healthy creative environments in today’s rapidly changing performing arts landscape.


Whether you're a theater artist, an arts administrator, an educator, a creative leader, or a producer, this show will help you answer big questions like:


What is inclusive leadership in the arts, and how do I practice it?


How can performing arts organizations promote diversity and inclusion?


What does “representation matters” mean in theater and beyond?


How can venues make performances more accessible?


What tools do I need to lead with care—and still make bold, brilliant work?


Through honest conversations, industry insights, and practical tools, Inclusive STAGES™ empowers you to reduce burnout, dismantle harmful norms, and build the kinds of creative spaces where everyone can thrive.


New episodes every week. Follow now and join the movement toward healthier, more sustainable arts spaces. 

 
 
 

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