IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
One of the ways we’re empowering women and non-binary people in our industry is through You Should Know Her, a multiplatform series to highlight women working behind-the-scenes to make Broadway happen.
On Women’s Equality Day 2024, we launched an exciting new partnership with Broadway News to amplify the You Should Know Her series.
YSKH Panel: A Cross-Generational Conversation
Join us for the next You Should Know Her panel, where we'll dive into a cross-generational conversation featuring remarkable women across different moments in their careers on the business side of Broadway. It’s a chance to see what happens when Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers come together for a lively discussion on their experiences and perspectives.
Moderated by BWA co-founder Molly Barnett, this panel will feature Abri Berg (General Management Assistant, 321 Theatrical Management), Sarah Hutton (Senior Director, Client Development, Ticketmaster), Deeksha Gaur (Executive Director, TDF), and Sue Frost (Producer, Junkyard Dog Productions), who will share their unique perspectives and insights.
Experience an evening of shared stories, laughs, and insights, as women from different generations come together to explore their impact on the future of Broadway.
YSKH Digital: Linda J. Stewart
You should know Linda J. Stewart of Bond Theatrical
An account executive with the theatrical touring agency, Linda began her career as a publicist for tours. “Back then, there was no EDI,” Linda told us. “The only options as a Black publicist [from Brighton, Alabama,] was to do what we called ‘urban plays’ a.k.a. Chitlin’ Circuit plays.” But local promoter Nate Tarver mentored Linda; she began promoting more plays, high-profile celebs (Jamie Foxx!) and music acts (B2K). In 2006, Linda entered the Broadway industry. AEG Worldwide was hired to promote the “Color Purple” tour and brought in Linda. “There was no one who had toured the country and had the relationships like I did with the people ‘Color Purple’ needed to touch on the road,” said Linda. Since then, she’s managed marketing and press for multiple Broadway shows and tours.
In 2022, Linda brought her talent to Bond Theatrical. As an account executive, Linda supervises day-to-day strategy to execute marketing and publicity efforts for touring Broadway shows in her portfolio. In marketing, she oversees each show’s visual branding, ad plan and events. You can see Linda’s impact in front-of-house design (for which she provides art direction), pole banners and digital billboards (which she approves), show-inspired drinks (which she greenlights) and radio/TV spots (which she scripts). On the publicity side, Linda must earn press attention for her shows in local papers, on news stations, etc. She organizes red carpets and talent appearances in local cultural events — like a city’s Thanksgiving Day parade. And because she works on tours, Linda must track all of this across 20-25 markets (a.k.a. cities) for each show.
“The touring market is alive and well and better than ever in both the U.S. and Canada,” Linda said. “People across the country are *hungry* to support Broadway.” In her “spare time,” she is a National Arts & Letters Commissioner via Delta Sigma Theta sorority, bringing tours to their membership for curated nights. “Theater impacts every part of my life personally and professionally.”
Past Events
YSKH Panel: Women Building A More Accessible Broadway
BWA Co-Founder (and Audience Rewards Executive Vice President) Katie Dalton moderated a conversation about theater and accessibility. Panelists included Sarah Hom (Director of Audience Services, Roundabout Theatre Company), Sarah Kenny (Senior Manager of Education, Access, & Inclusion for Disney Theatrical Group) and Becky Leifman (Executive Director, CO/LAB Theater Group), offered their personal and professional insights and expertise on making the industry more welcoming to disabled audiences, staff, and artists, and the resources available for all of us to build awareness and support these efforts.
Event Space Sponsored by The Shubert Organization
YSKH Panel: Shaping Broadway’s Public Persona
One of the most critical roles in theater is shaping the public perception of Broadway shows and attracting audiences. The BWA hosted a panel with women whose creativity and strategic thinking have been essential to the success of Broadway. From their groundbreaking work to modern-day efforts, this conversation features the work of marketers, publicists, photographers, journalists, and content creators working in the theater. Panelists included Irene Gandy (publicist and producer), Sara Krulwich (photographer, @nytimes), Diep Tran (Editor-in-Chief, @playbill), and Tina Wargo (Senior Social Media Manager, @TodayTix), and moderated by BWA co-founder Diana Salameh (VP, Brand Integration, @serinocoyne).
Event Space Sponsored by iHeartRadio