The Eastman School of Music’s Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation & Research, in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance’s EXCEL Lab, is proud to announce Disruption. Action. Change.

Disruption. Action. Change. is a three-part online series where five performing arts change-makers will discuss the role of disruption as an essential force in pursuit of a more just and equitable arts ecosystem. The series, aimed at the next generation of arts leaders (students and young professionals), centers the notion that upending existing organizational policy, bias, and protocols is vital to the future of the performing arts as we know it. 

Each week, our selected guests will explore a different aspect of our performing arts ecosystem:

• Disrupting Traditional Organizational Practice and Taking Risks to Advance ADEI/Anti-racism Policies
  • Ashleigh Gordon (Castle of Our Skins) and Margaret Lioi (Chamber Music America).
  • Live Zoom session on Thursday, March 11th at 4:30pm EST.
• Making and Spreading Art That Advocates for Change
  • Garrett McQueen (Trilloquy) and Joel Thompson (composer).
  • Live Zoom session on Thursday, March 18th at 4:30pm EST.
• Disrupting Performance Practice Traditions and Subverting Stereotypes of the Stage
  • Antonio C. Cuyler (Florida State University/University of Michigan). 
  • Live Zoom session on Thursday, March 25th at 4:30pm EST.

In addition to the scheduled Zoom sessions, each guest will author an introductory blog post, where they contextualize and share their work. These blog posts will be available on the University of Michigan EXCEL LOG beginning on the Monday of each week’s session. One of the goals of the series is to foster both reflection and conversation amongst participants. To that end, our five guests have recorded introductory videos for series participants, where they will pose question for all to consider. The series will conclude with a summative podcast produced by Classically Black, where hosts Dalanie Harris and Katie Brown will unpack and discuss the input of the series’ guests while offering insight into how the next generation of arts leaders might use the tools provided in these sessions to embody equity in their work.

Disruption. Action. Change. is co-sponsored by the Eastman School of Music and University of Michigan. While participation in the series is FREE, registration is required. To learn more about the program and to register, please visit:

iml.esm.rochester.edu/DAC