Advanced Graduate Certificate in Commercial Theater Development Faculty
Caolo, Melissa
Melissa Caolo (AR 752 – Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses) has enjoyed a career managing in several capacities in the performing arts. Her roots as a stage manager and production manager, and arts administrator led to opportunities as an educator. She contributed to the curriculum design and launch of the Commercial Theater Development graduate certificate program in the Arts Administration Department at Boston University’s Metropolitan College. Within the program she is also a Part Time Lecturer for the course Creative Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses. Other education credits include, Adjunct Lecturer at Baruch College, and Fairleigh Dickenson University, Technical Director at Sarah Lawrence College, and Industry Coordinator and Adjunct Lecturer at The New York Institute of Technology.
Grossman, Jason E.
Jason E. Grossman (AR 751 – Commercial Production: The Broadway Model) is a Tony and Olivier award-winning theatrical producer and founder of Plush Theatricals. He is the lead producer of the musical Romantics Anonymous (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and US Tour 2020) and co-founder of Radio Mouse Entertainment. Currently, with Radio Mouse he is a co-producer on Come From Away (Broadway, West End, National Tour, Toronto, and Australia). Other credits include Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play), starring Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce; the Broadway and National Tour engagements of Peter and the Starcatcher (winner of 5 Tony Awards); The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway; and the Olivier Award-nominated West End production of Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical, a new musical comedy based on the international hit play by Ken Ludwig. More
Jones, Robert
Robert Jones (AR 753 – Current Trends in the Performing Arts Industry) is an advertising, marketing, and public relations professional with over 16 years of experience in the theatrical industry focused on creating and managing entertainment and cultural brands, Robert Jones has directed campaigns for over 80 Broadway shows and other performing arts institutions. Starting his career in management, he company-managed the off-Broadway production of The Awesome 80s Prom and was the Assistant Company Manager of The Drowsy Chaperone (Broadway, pre-Broadway Los Angeles) More
Lee, Susan E.
Susan E. Lee (AR 753 – Current Trends in the Performing Arts Industry) has been an innovator and an industry leader for more than 30 years, working with many theatrical producing companies and non-profit arts organizations. She introduced Camp Broadway, LLC, in 1995 and has since managed the brand, business, and program development. In addition to her role as founder and managing member of the company, she served as chief marketing officer for The Nederlander Producing Company of America, where she oversaw new business partnerships and marketing. During her time with the company, she successfully developed and launched Audience Rewards, now the official loyalty program for Broadway; The National High School Musical Theatre Awards, aka The Jimmy’s Awards, named in honor of James M. Nederlander; and InTheatre Network, which is now operating across all Broadway theatres. More
Schnepp, Steven
Steven Schnepp (AR 754- Global Performing Arts Presenting and Producing) is the president of Broadway Booking Office NYC, a theatrical tour booking, marketing, and press agency representing touring Broadway, London-based shows and family productions. With over 38 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Steve has collaborated on more than 75 productions. His current projects include Jersey Boys; Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera; Les Misérables; Miss Saigon; Beautiful—The Carole King Musical; A Bronx Tale; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical; and The Last Ship, starring Sting; among others. More
Townshend, Blaire
Blaire Townshend (AR 752 – Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses) currently serves as Senior Manager of Membership Services & Professional Development at The Broadway League, the trade association for the Broadway industry both in New York and across North America. The League represents the employers of the industry – theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers, among others. Blaire began at the League as an intern in 2016 and has remained in the Membership department ever since, moving from Associate to Manager and, most recently, to Senior Manager. More