Spotlight on Representation: Lessons from Broadway

When I first stepped on Bentley’s campus, I could see the strong sense of community and support among students, as well as the intentionality behind every course and campus resource. 

I also knew there were possibilities for internships and travel. But I never would have imagined, as a little girl growing up next to New York City and seeing Broadway shows with my mom, that one day I would be going backstage at “The Lion King” and “Buena Vista Social Club” to hear about the current gender inequities in the entertainment industry — a cause I’m passionate about. That’s what happened when I enrolled in the course Honors Pathway Community Based Research (HNR445-3) with Lecturer in Management Conwell Worthington, MBA ’16.  

Even when I found out about the class trip working with Open Stage Project (OSP) — a nonprofit that focuses on female and non-binary representation in the entertainment industry — I didn’t realize how impactful the trip would be. It was inspiring to meet with the organization’s leaders and hear firsthand how I can support the fight toward gender equity.  

What I noticed most about Broadway’s backstage environment is how physically compact it was. At “The Lion King,” the wings on each side of the stage were filled with actors, puppets and set pieces. This kind of forced proximity creates a strong sense of community. Stage actors have no choice but to trust one another — that everyone knows their cues, and that people will respond if something goes wrong.

For directors and executive producers, it’s the same. That’s why they often choose to keep working with the same people and teams they’ve had success with in the past. This can create a barrier to entry for newcomers. Directors and producers need to be willing to take a chance on someone new or listen to those advocating for fresh talent. This, we learned, can potentially create homogeneous environments that lack gender and BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) diversity.  

However, when teams are intentional about building diverse production groups, this dynamic can instead create strong, connected teams that are deeply committed to the success of the show. 

Why Representation Matters — On and Off Stage 

In theater, representation in backstage and administrative roles matters because it can be intimidating to be the first. No one wants to be the one responsible for the opening line of a play and accidentally “go blank.” Still, someone has to go first. And once that person steps on stage, says their line and succeeds, it becomes much easier for the next person to step into the spotlight as well. 

My first production experience was in 8th grade, when I worked as a runner for “Freaky Friday: The Disney Channel Original Musical.” I went on to perform plays and musicals in high school while also taking on roles as an assistant director, assistant costume director and member of both the business and construction committees. Through these experiences, I developed skills that are often overlooked for girls, such as construction and outreach.  

When I came to Bentley, I knew I wanted to continue growing in those areas. I performed in “High School Musical” my freshman year and have been involved in production ever since, working on spotlight and costumes. 

Combining these experiences with my class visit to Broadway filled me with a sense of hope. During our talk at “The Lion King,” we discussed the gap in female representation backstage but also learned that intentionality and inclusive practices can create a gender-diverse environment where everyone can thrive.

Creating a Sense of Belonging 

In Professor Worthington’s class, we often discussed Social Identity Theory, which describes how people categorize themselves and others into groups, often described as ingroups and outgroups, based on shared identities, experiences and values. These group memberships shape how we see ourselves and where we feel we belong. To enter a space that feels like an outgroup, people often need to first see that someone like them is already there. 

Representation helps create that sense of belonging. The more representation, the more creative voices and perspectives are brought to the table, which leads to stronger and more innovative work. It also directly impacts the health of the industry.  

On the flip side, when people feel excluded, the talent pool becomes limited and opportunities are not distributed equitably. When people feel welcomed and valued, teams become stronger, more collaborative and more sustainable over time. For the future of the entertainment industry, representation is not just about fairness. It is about growth, creativity and ensuring that the industry continues to evolve in a way that reflects the audiences it serves. 

Theater has always been an art form rooted in expressing human emotion and lived experience, from ancient Greek productions using masks to amplify feeling to modern performances that reflect diverse voices. It creates a space where people from different backgrounds can come together and build shared understanding. That’s why I’m committed to supporting gender equity and helping protect theater as an inclusive, representative community. 

Closing the Gender Gap 

This trip truly made me aware of what is at stake. Open Stage Project’s mission to close the gender gap backstage by empowering and educating young girls made the impact of our work feel much more real and immediate. 

Seeing their work in action and hearing directly about the barriers women face in production roles gave me a deeper understanding of why this issue matters and how much work still needs to be done. 

Our final team project for class will focus on students as one of the most important stakeholders — thinking more intentionally about how we can directly address the challenges they face. This includes not only access to opportunities, but also confidence, representation and long-term support systems that encourage them to stay in the field. 

One area we are considering is resilience and wellbeing training, especially as a way to help students navigate high-pressure environments and persist in spaces where they may feel underrepresented. 

Overall, this experience has shifted my approach to be more people-centered. Rather than only thinking about broad solutions, I am now more focused on how our project can create tangible and lasting impact for the individuals OSP is trying to support. 

A Generation of Change 

There is a lot going on in the world, but one constant is women’s rights being challenged globally. While this course focuses on the entertainment industry, through assigned readings and class discussions, we explore the systemic barriers and challenges women face on a broader level. 

I truly believe our generation has the ability to create change, but it requires more young people to actively engage with organizations like OSP and educate themselves on the social injustices that exist.  

Sometimes it’s easy to doubt whether individuals can truly make an impact, but OSP is proof that they can. Programs like the Honors Community Research Pathways give students the tools not only to conduct research, but also to support nonprofits in their communities. After graduation, Bentley students are equipped with the skills to contribute to organizations like OSP, and this experience encourages us to do so. This course not only challenges you to think differently but also shows you how you can be part of that change in a meaningful way. 

Raising Voices 

During Bentley’s Admitted Students weekend two years ago, I attended a guest lecture that kicked off with the song “The Room Where It Happens” from “Hamilton.” Their presentation was about the importance of being a sponsor rather than just a mentor. A mentor can offer advice, but a sponsor believes in your ability to succeed and uses their connections to open doors for you. That concept of sponsorship really clicked for me, but I couldn’t picture myself in that role yet. I was fresh out of high school and about to move over 200 miles from home to begin my college journey.  

As I spent more time at Bentley and better established myself, I’ve taken on mentorship roles through the Honors Program and the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE). However, what I observed backstage on Broadway made me realize I want to go beyond mentorship and become a sponsor. I want to support others not only by helping them identify their strengths and areas for growth, but also by actively advocating for them and creating opportunities for them to succeed. More importantly, I want to help coach them to become the most fulfilled and confident versions of themselves.  

Overall, a skill this experience highlighted for me is the importance of advocating for yourself and the people you believe in. I don’t know where I’ll end up, but as a female student beginning my post-college dream job search, this trip felt like a reminder that after I graduate there’s a support system for me to achieve my career goals.