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Family Meeting: Race, Theater & Fighting Fires—Onstage and Off


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What if the hardest conversations we avoid in theater… are the ones we most need to have?


In this episode, I invite you to join my dad, retired firefighter and former Minority Affairs Officer Fred Cowan, and me for a family conversation about race, theater, public service, and what it means to fight fires—both onstage and off.



My dad spent over 30 years with the Worcester Fire Department, where he trained recruits, built equity initiatives, and led through some of the most challenging moments the department ever faced. His stories of resilience, bias, and leadership shaped so much of who I am and how I approach my own work in theater. Together, we reflect on what it takes to have honest conversations, build authentic diversity pipelines, and create spaces that serve the whole community.


Through humor, candor, and lived experience, you’ll hear why diversity in theater is about so much more than numbers. It’s about preparation, education, and respect.


Here’s what we cover:

  • Growing up bicultural in a predominantly white town, and why representation matters at every stage

  • What firefighting taught us about leadership, teamwork, and safety in high-stakes spaces

  • The difference between performative diversity and building an authentic pipeline of opportunity

  • Why auditions and interviews reveal values as much as talent

  • How to engage across political divides without losing empathy

  • Lessons from past generations of equity work that today’s theater leaders can carry forward


This conversation with my dad is heartfelt, courageous, and full of wisdom that bridges generations. Whether you’re an actor, director, producer, or educator, I hope it challenges you to rethink how you approach inclusion onstage, backstage, and beyond.


And above all, I hope it inspires you to see inclusion in theater not just as a reactive measure, but as a proactive commitment to equity, representation, and community care.


Thanks for listening. And remember, real change happens when we’re willing to sit down, talk it out, and keep building together.


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More About Fred Cowen

Fred served the City of Worcester Fire Department for over 30 years, during which he rose to the role of Minority Affairs Officer and trained numerous recruits. Known for his candor and commitment to equity, he worked to ensure fairness, representation, and safety within one of the most demanding professions in public service.


Beyond his career in public safety, Fred has been a lifelong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, drawing on his lived experience to mentor colleagues, challenge systemic barriers, and build stronger communities. Now retired, he enjoys life on the golf course, spending time with his family, and sharing the hard-earned wisdom he has gained about leadership, resilience, and the value of honest conversation.



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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