CI to Eye with Monica Holt

Great theater starts by creating trusted conditions for talent and creativity to thrive. Cody Renard Richard is a Tony Award-winning producer and stage manager whose career spans Broadway, television, opera, and even Cirque du Soleil. Along the way, his backstage leadership has shaped acclaimed productions like the 2025 revival of Ragtime and this spring's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. In this episode, Cody talks about what it really means to lead from behind the scenes, and why stage management is such a powerful training ground for leadership. He reflects on his path through the industry, how he's navigated power and visibility in a field that doesn't always make room for everyone, and what it looks like to advocate for artists and audiences without burning out or losing yourself in the process. ----- LINKS: Cody Renard Richard: https://www.codyrenard.com/ Ragtime at Lincoln Center: https://www.lct.org/shows/ragtime/ CATS: The Jellicle Ball: https://catsthejellicleball.com/ RISE Theatre Directory: https://risetheatre.org/

Risk is usually something leaders are told to minimize. But for Sammi Cannold, it's essential to success. As an award-winning director across Broadway, film, and television, Sammi has built her career on ambitious projects—like staging Violet on a moving bus and reimagining Ragtime on Ellis Island. What stands out isn't just the boldness of the choices, but the intention behind them: using place and performance to help audiences experience even the most familiar stories in new ways. In this episode, Sammi shares how she found her voice as a young woman in a male-dominated field; how she brings new perspective to beloved works while still honoring their legacy; and what it means to be an "actor's director" whether she's working on stage or the silver screen. Plus, she shares why advocacy in entertainment doesn't always have to feel like eating your vegetables, and breaks down the false dichotomy between mission-driven and commercial work. LINKS: Sammi Cannold: https://www.sammicannold.com/ The Agnes Index: https://www.instagram.com/theagnesindex/?hl=en Broadway Briefing: https://broadwaybriefing.com/

As of May 1, 2025, CI to Eye is now Arts Unscripted. This name change reflects Capacity's broader rebrand, but the heart of the show remains the same: candid, thoughtful conversations with artists, leaders, and creative thinkers about the future of our industry. Join host Monica Holt as she reflects on the moments that defined the Fall 2025 season, and hear cultural leaders remind us why connection, creativity, and collaboration are more important than ever.

For Ming Min Hui, there's no single "right" path to arts leadership—only the one you build through curiosity, courage, and a willingness to evolve. Her career began far from the stage, in finance and corporate strategy on Wall Street. Today, as Executive Director of Boston Ballet, she sees that wide-ranging experience not as a detour but as the engine behind her leadership. In this episode, Ming reflects on the value of expansive career paths, the power of collaborative problem-solving, and how she uses her business acumen to deepen the relevance of a 400-year-old art form in Boston and beyond. LINKS: Boston Ballet - https://www.bostonballet.org/ NBC Boston | Citydance 30 Documentary - https://www.nbcboston.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/watch-the-boston-ballet-citydance-30-years-of-movement-documentary-saturday/2813042/