In this conversation, Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and producer LaChanze discusses her work as the president of Black Theater United and her mission to create a more inclusive and diverse Broadway. She shares her journey as an actress and producer, the importance of representation in the industry, and her commitment to bringing the work of overlooked artists, such as Alice Childress, to the forefront. LaChanze also talks about her production company and her passion for increasing and diversifying audiences in the theater. Overall, she emphasizes the need for love, connection, and vision in both personal and professional life.

Read more about LaChanze here.

Keywords: Broadway, Black Theater United, inclusivity, diversity, representation, producing, directing, playwriting, Alice Childress, love, connection, vision

Takeaways:

• LaChanze is the president of Black Theater United, a creative collective aimed at raising awareness and promoting inclusivity in Broadway for black performers and artists.
• She is committed to increasing and diversifying audiences in the theater, and she believes that representation is crucial in both on-stage and off-stage roles.
• LaChanze is passionate about bringing the work of overlooked artists, such as Alice Childress, to the forefront and giving young artists the opportunity to have their voices heard.
• She has launched her own production company, LaChanze Productions, to have more control over the creative process and to support and develop new talent.
• LaChanze emphasizes the importance of love, connection, and vision in personal and professional life, and she encourages young artists to pursue their passions and be the change they want to see.

Sound Bites:

• "I'm an advocate for black rights and black representation."
• "Being a woman of a certain age, being a black woman in my midlife who has had this experience, it does come with wisdom."
• "I needed to launch LaChanze Productions because I needed more control."

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to In the Podlight and Guest LaChanze

06:05 - Discovering the Need for Diversity and Inclusion in the Entertainment Industry

13:05 - The New Deal: Reforming the Industry for Equity and Inclusion

17:26 - Navigating Microaggressions and Ageism in the Entertainment Industry

21:29 - LaChanze Productions: Empowering Underrepresented Artists

27:21 - The Legacy of Alice Childress: Bringing Overlooked Artists to the Forefront

32:05 - Taking Control: Launching LaChanze Productions

37:42 - The Importance of Love and Resilience in LaChanze's Life

41:57 - Closing Remarks and Lightning Round

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The Team:

Caroline Liem – Producer & Host

Grant Kretchick – Producer & Host

Cris Graves - Producer & Editor

David Margolin Lawson - Composer

Emily Yaneth Perez – Administration

In the Podlight is produced in collaboration with Pace University – Sands

• The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed by the guests, hosts, and producers of this podcasts do not necessarily reflect those of Pace University.