THE MIDDLE WOMAN - a roadmap to managing the performing arts
The Middle Woman – a roadmap to managing the performing arts, is a podcast created by Elsie Management as a medium to share Laura Colby’s knowledge of 30+ years in the performing arts management field. From her personal experience and point of view, to real examples of the negotiation process and what artist representation is, this podcast is full of information, tips and tricks and the ins and outs of how to work and stay current in this field. Guests bring their own expertise to each topic while enriching the conversation.
Laura Colby Bio
Recipient of the 2016 Liz Silverstein NAPAMA Award for Agent-Manager of the Year, Laura Colby formed Elsie Management in 1995. Representing a global roster of dance, theater, special projects, and outdoor spectacle, Elsie Management specializes in singular voices for the global stage. Colby most recently served on the APAP board for three terms, in the position of Vice President in her final term. She founded Dance/USA’s Agents and Artist Manager Producer Council, serving as the Council’s Founding Chair for three years and on the board of Dance/USA for four years. Colby has been an invited speaker for The Joyce Theater Foundation, Western Arts Alliance, Australian Performing Arts Market, CAPACOA (Canadian Association for the Performing Arts), Fordham University, University of Kansas, and NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts, AUS), among others. Colby co-manages the Dance Managers Collective’s annual APAP showcasing efforts with Jennifer Morris (Siegel Artist Management) and served on NAPAMA’s board (2007 & 2008 as President). During the pandemic, she was active with industry efforts for more equitable contracting, contributing to the Creating New Futures Phase 1 writing group: https://creatingnewfutures.tumblr.com. She received her BFA in dance from The Juilliard School. www.elsieman.org
CURRENT EPISODE: Ep. 4: Career Stories
Looking for a career in this industry? Join Laura Colby and special guest Michelle Grove Herzog as they talk about the many levels of Herzog’s career and how she got to where she is today.
Ep. 1: Laura's story - Intro
Why a podcast on managing the performing arts? In this episode, Laura Colby shares her journey of becoming a performing arts manager, creating Elsie Management, and the evolution of her roster. Self-taught, her skill-set evolved as her role in the field developed. Colby reveals her learning process and the choice to put her skills at the service of artists with the higher purpose of bringing lesser-known and under-represented performance work to stages and audiences around the globe.
Ep. 2: Who's who?
Who is who in the field? What does a manager, an agent, a presenter, and a producer do? Where do they all meet and how do they get to know each other? Laura Colby is joined in this episode by guest Anna Amadei, Elsie Management’s Vice President, and her right hand for over 15 years. They will chat about the roles of this industry and what makes them interdependent and essential to the ultimate goal of presenting artists.
Ep. 3: Skills
What are the skills needed to be a performing arts manager? In this episode, using technology, communication, and kindness to her advantage, Colby gives insight into how these skills combine to shape a productive and professional manager of the performing arts.
Ep. 4: Career Stories
Looking for a career in this industry? Join Laura Colby and special guest Michelle Grove Herzog as they talk about the many levels of Herzog’s career and how she got to where she is today.
Ep. 1: Laura’s story – Intro
Ep. 2: Who’s who?
Ep. 3: Skills
Ep. 4: Career Stories
Episode 2 – Anna Amadei
Episode 4 – Michelle Grove Herzog