Episode 061: The Actor, the Audience, and the Business of Belonging with Dr. Conwell Worthington III

What can Broadway teach us about leadership, organizational culture, innovation, and inclusion?In this episode of DBA Chronicles, hosts Dr. Kelly Burich and Dr. Valrie Grant welcome Dr. Conwell Worthington III—Broadway Stage Manager , Educator, and newly minted DBA, for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of theater, business, and applied research.Drawing on more than two decades of experience managing Broadway stages for national productions, Dr. Worthington shares how working behind the curtain shaped his philosophy of leadership, communication, and creating psychologically safe teams. He explains why the best managers often go unnoticed, much like the countless professionals whose work makes every successful production possible. The conversation explores his transition from stage manager to university educator and how he brings the principles of stage management into the business classroom, helping students understand leadership, adaptability, marketing, and organizational behavior through real-world stories from the performing arts.The episode also highlights Dr. Worthington's doctoral research examining racial representation in theatrical casting and its influence on audience engagement. His findings challenge assumptions about audience preferences, demonstrating that talent and performance excellence can transcend traditional casting expectations while offering practical insights for producers seeking to broaden and diversify theater audiences.In this episode you'll discover:Why leadership often happens behind the scenesLessons theater management offers every business leaderHow creating psychologically safe environments improves team performanceThe surprising parallels between stage management and classroom leadershipWhat research reveals about representation, belonging, and audience engagementWhy diversity is both a cultural and strategic advantageHow scholar-practitioners can bridge research and real-world impactWhether you're a business leader, researcher, educator, creative professional, or DBA student, this episode demonstrates how applied research can help solve real industry challenges while building more inclusive organizations and stronger communities. Connect with UsLinkedIn: DBA Chronicles Website: ⁠www.dbachronicles.org⁠ Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to DBA Chronicles, leave a review, and share it with fellow researchers, practitioners, educators, and business leaders who believe the best ideas emerge when scholarship meets practice.