Tag: Varsity

Getting older is, as J.J. Hubal puts it, “a very big deal,” and pretending otherwise doesn’t do anyone any favors. What does help? A little honesty, a healthy dose of curiosity and, perhaps most powerfully, a well-timed cartoon. 

Bestselling author, cartoonist and former special education teacher J.J. Hubal joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable recently to share the ideas behind her book, Goodbye Old, Hello Bold, a work that challenges long-held stereotypes and invites people to embrace aging with confidence and humor. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

HUMOR OPENS THE DOOR TO HARD CONVERSATIONS

J.J. demonstrated how humor and cartoons can make sensitive topics like aging, loss, health and change feel more approachable. Participants were reminded that laughter can create space for honest reflection and meaningful conversations.

AGING REQUIRES LETTING GO BEFORE MOVING FORWARD

One of J.J.’s central themes was that aging well isn’t about denying reality. It’s about acknowledging what’s changed, letting go of what no longer fits and creating room for new possibilities, experiences and relationships.

COMMUNITY OFTEN OUTWEIGHS CONVENIENCE

Discussions about downsizing, aging in place and senior living reinforced that people aren’t just choosing a place to live. They’re choosing connection, purpose and belonging. For many older adults, the real value of a move is gaining community rather than simply reducing maintenance.

THE BIGGEST AGING DECISIONS START WITH CONVERSATION

Whether discussing downsizing, future living arrangements or changing family dynamics, participants were reminded that proactive conversations are far better than waiting for a crisis. Open communication creates more choices and better outcomes.

AGING ISN’T ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL

Health, finances and relationships affect everyone differently. J.J. encouraged attendees to focus less on aging stereotypes and more on helping people navigate their own unique circumstances with honesty, flexibility and self-awareness.

PEOPLE CONNECT WITH AUTHENTICITY

The strongest themes in J.J.’s work came from real-life experiences, frustrations and observations. Participants were reminded that the most relatable stories, messages and marketing often come from genuine human experiences rather than polished talking points.

Music can do more than entertain, it can create connection, reflection and even healing. In a recent episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we talked with Stuart Malina, longtime Music Director and Conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and Tony Award-winning orchestrator.

In the conversation, Stuart discussed why music often resonates more deeply as we age, how live concerts create powerful shared experiences and the surprising ways music can unlock memory and emotion. Stuart also reflects on working with Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp on Broadway’s Moving Out and shares advice about creativity, confidence and defining success for yourself.

Check out the full episode here.

WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED ABOUT HOW PEOPLE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MUSIC CHANGES AS THEY AGE?

The core audience of classical music is older. I would say probably averaging somewhere in the upper 60s to lower 70s. I don’t think this is a coincidence. I think that there is something about classical music that resonates perhaps a little bit more intensely with older audiences. Music speaks to everybody, but as you get older, different kinds of music will bring responses. 

I speak to a lot of people who say the same thing: I grew up and I loved the pop music of my time, and of course I still do. But now I’m beginning to understand this music a little bit better and it speaks to my heart.

WHY DO YOU THINK MUSIC BECOMES MORE MEANINGFUL LATER IN LIFE?

If there is wisdom, it’s just kind of being able to look at life with a little bit more grand perspective, and I do think that might be part of why there’s a response to not just music, but any kind of great art as you get older. 

I also think that part of it is patience. As you get older, I do think there is a greater ability to just sit back and enjoy a journey. So much of classical music is just allowing yourself to enjoy the progression of an emotional arc or the progression of a beautiful long phrase. And I do think that comes a little bit more easily when you’re older. But the last thing might even be just a practical issue, that older people just have a little bit more time.

RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT MUSIC CAN SUPPORT MEMORY, MOOD, AND BRAIN HEALTH. DOES THAT ALIGN WITH WHAT YOU’VE SEEN PERSONALLY?

I actually think that music is unbelievably powerful. I do think that music speaks to parts of the brain that you can’t reach in other ways. We have a great friend of the orchestra who brought her husband to concerts. He was suffering from very severe Alzheimer’s, to the degree where he really couldn’t remember anything and he didn’t remember who people were. 

She brought him to the concerts because when he walked in the concert hall, suddenly he was who he was before. He was recognizing members of the orchestra. And she said that for that one hour and 45 minutes or two hours, he was himself again. And then they would leave and it would be back to his old world. So something’s going on there. 

The future of senior living may depend less on new buildings and amenities and more on whether the industry is willing to rethink culture, autonomy and the resident experience itself. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Steve Moran, founder and publisher of Senior Living Foresight, one of the industry’s most influential media platforms.

Known for his candid commentary and sharp observations, Moran has spent years challenging operators to rethink leadership, culture, transparency and the overall resident experience. Derek and Steve discuss why the industry may have more of a culture crisis than a staffing crisis, how operators can better empower residents and families and why storytelling may be the key to changing perceptions of senior living for future generations.

Check out the full episode here.

WHAT’S THE REAL STORY IN SENIOR LIVING RIGHT NOW THAT PEOPLE AREN’T TALKING ABOUT ENOUGH?

As you know, we have great occupancy. We’ve had the best occupancy that we have ever had in my lifetime. And that’s really, really good news. What’s interesting to me, there are two things that are really interesting to me. The first is that when I talk to operators and leaders, there seems to be a sense of apprehension or fear like, ‘This is really good, but it feels like disaster is just around the corner.’ Probably some of that’s from the COVID hangover.

The other thing is we have operators who are just crushing it at huge margins and huge occupancies, while there are still some people out there that are really, really struggling. So much of it comes down to the operator and how they run their business because it can be super successful or really, really tough.”

ARE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES TRULY ALIGNED WITH WHAT TODAY’S OLDER ADULT WANTS?

There’s this widespread belief that baby boomers are going to want something very different. I think there are a few things, but mostly as we get older, we’re going to want the same things people have always wanted.

Part of the biggest problem is that if we’re honest about the industry, senior living is still the last resort. I choose senior living when I can no longer live at home. That might mean I don’t want to take care of my yard anymore, I don’t want to cook or grocery shop anymore or it might mean I have real care needs. I’m not sure the industry is fully aligned with what people actually want because too often the focus is on providing the least amount of service at the lowest cost to maximize margins.

WHAT ARE OPERATORS DOING WELL RIGHT NOW — AND WHAT ARE THEY STILL GETTING WRONG?

I think operators are getting dining pretty right. They understand that dining is one place they touch residents’ lives three times a day. I think transportation is improving too and communities are building better physical spaces.

But I think they’re still not giving residents enough control over their own lives. I heard from a resident recently who said they were thrilled because residents had finally won the ability to choose what channel played on the TV behind the bar four days a week. And I’m thinking, this shouldn’t even be a battle. Those are the kinds of things I think we’re still getting wrong.

IS THE WORKFORCE CRISIS REALLY A STAFFING PROBLEM?

I don’t think we have a real staffing crisis. I think we have a culture crisis.

As long as there are people willing to work at McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Starbucks, we don’t have a staffing shortage. We have organizations that haven’t created cultures where people feel valued, appreciated and connected to purpose.

When you create a great work environment where people feel like they’re changing lives and love coming to work every day, they tell their friends about it. Goodwin House gets something like 900 applications a month. They hire the best people and the rest go elsewhere. That tells me the problem isn’t a lack of workers. It’s culture.

QUOTES

“I do think that there is a greater ability perhaps to just sit back and enjoy a journey.” (Stuart)

“We’re living in a world of peaks. You go to see a Marvel movie and every five minutes there’s going to be some kind of crazy thing that stirs you and pumps you with adrenaline. Listening to great music is not that.” (Stuart)

“What we’re doing is creating a landscape of sound and intensity. Yes, you’re going to have your peaks, but then you’re going to have long periods of lulls that allow for the next peak to be something special.” (Stuart)

“I do think that as you get older, there’s a greater willingness to reflect on what it means to be alive, what it means to exist in this world.” (Stuart)

“There’s so much anger, so much infighting among groups and fighting with other groups that people are looking for ways to make sense of all of that. And at its core, that’s what art is attempting to do.” (Stuart)

“When you come to a concert, you’re being thrust together to experience something as a community — a kind of ad hoc community that will not exist again after this day.” (Stuart)

“Your presence, your energy, your focus is palpable. I can’t describe what it feels like, but I feel it.” (Stuart)

“When you’re at a concert, you’re actively engaged in the artistic endeavor. It’s not like we’re performing and you’re listening.” (Stuart)

“Don’t judge yourself based on other people’s perspectives. Know what you want, know what’s important to you, and pursue that.” (Stuart)

NOTES

Stuart Malina has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra for more than 25 years. A Tony Award-winning orchestrator and accomplished pianist, he is known for blending classical tradition with contemporary perspectives while championing the emotional and communal power of live music.

The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest continuously operating orchestras in the United States, performing at the historic Forum Auditorium in downtown Harrisburg. The organization presents classical masterworks, pops concerts and educational programming while working to expand accessibility and deepen community engagement through live music experiences.

Malina won a Tony Award for his orchestration work on Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel’s Broadway production Moving Out. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists across multiple disciplines including dancers, actors and rock musicians. He also discussed the challenges of contemporary classical composition, the importance of exposing audiences to new music and the role arts organizations play in combating loneliness and fostering human connection.

Malina reflected on how audiences often develop a deeper appreciation for music and art as they age, citing patience, perspective and emotional openness as contributing factors.

He discussed how classical music differs from modern entertainment because it embraces emotional peaks and valleys rather than constant stimulation and adrenaline.

Malina described live performance as a shared community experience that cannot be replicated through recordings, emphasizing the energy exchange between performers and audiences.

He shared stories illustrating music’s profound effect on cognition and emotion, including experiences involving individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and developmental disabilities.

Malina explained how working on Broadway’s Moving Out expanded his understanding of artistry and deepened his respect for musicians, dancers and choreographers from outside the classical world.

He spoke about the importance of contemporary composers and challenged the notion that great music only exists in the past, arguing that today’s composers are creating work that will endure for generations.

Malina discussed how concerts and other live arts experiences can help combat loneliness by creating safe, communal environments where people feel connected through shared experiences.

—————

This collaborative article features insights from Derek Dunham of Varsity, MaryJane Fitts of Greystone Communities and Cameron Martin of The Highlands at Wyomissing following their presentation at the LeadingAge PA Annual Conference.

—————

Senior living waitlists were originally designed to solve a simple problem: hold future demand until an apartment becomes available. But today’s senior living consumer journey is far more complex than simply adding a name to a list and waiting for the phone to ring.

That’s why more senior living communities are rethinking the traditional waitlist model and moving toward membership-based programs designed to create earlier engagement, stronger emotional connection and more predictable occupancy growth. 

That topic was front and center during a recent presentation at the LeadingAge PA Annual Conference, where Varsity’s Derek Dunham joined MaryJane Fitts of Greystone Communities and Cameron Martin of The Highlands at Wyomissing to discuss how communities can transform passive waitlists into active membership experiences.

WHY TRADITIONAL WAITLISTS ARE FALLING SHORT

The conversation focused on a growing challenge facing senior living sales teams. Traditional waitlists often create long periods of inactivity. Prospects join, disengage and remain emotionally disconnected from the community. Sales teams spend time servicing depositors without always knowing who is truly ready to move. Meanwhile, demand for senior living continues to rise as the 80+ population grows rapidly over the next several decades.

Today’s prospects also move through the decision-making process differently than previous generations. Some are actively planning for a move within the next year. Others may be exploring options years in advance. Treating every prospect exactly the same creates friction for both sales teams and future residents.

THE HIGHLANDS AT WYOMISSING: A MEMBERSHIP MINDSET

The Highlands at Wyomissing offered a real-world case study of how communities can rethink the process. With a current waitlist of roughly 460 prospects and approximately 30 to 35 move-ins annually, the organization sees an opportunity to better align engagement with how prospects actually make decisions today.

Rather than treating every prospect the same, The Highlands is developing a tiered Future Residents Club built around different levels of readiness. The Reserve Club is designed for individuals likely to move within 18 months and includes a larger refundable deposit alongside priority benefits and incentives. The Explorer Club will focus on prospects who may still be three to five years away from moving but want to remain engaged with the community over time.

The organization also hosted focus groups with both current and future residents while developing the program. One key takeaway emerged quickly: simple was better. Prospects wanted clarity around expectations, benefits and next steps rather than overly complicated structures or processes.

BUILDING CONNECTION BEFORE MOVE-IN

The shift reflects a broader understanding of how senior living decisions are made today. Prospects don’t fall in love with floor plans or amenities. They connect emotionally to lifestyle, relationships and community identity. That’s why membership-based programs often include dining experiences, events, lifestyle access, downsizing support and financial planning guidance long before move-in occurs.

The goal is not simply to create more activity. It’s to create more meaningful engagement that shortens decision timelines, improves confidence and strengthens future occupancy pipelines. Communities also benefit operationally through clearer engagement paths, more intentional sales conversations and stronger prioritization of near-term move-ins.

The communities that win in the years ahead will be the ones that build relationships long before a move-in ever happens. Membership-based programs create that opportunity by turning future residents into active participants in community life earlier in the journey. 

Aging rarely happens the way people expect. It arrives gradually, bringing changes in identity, relationships and perspective that can feel difficult to navigate. In a recent episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sat down with bestselling author, cartoonist and former special education teacher J.J. Hubal, whose book Goodbye Old, Hello Bold uses humor and visual storytelling to explore the realities of growing older with more curiosity and courage.

In their conversation, Derek and J.J. discussed why aging often creates anxiety, how humor can make difficult topics more approachable and why reinvention becomes increasingly important later in life. J.J. also shared personal reflections on loneliness, friendship, creativity and the importance of continuing to step outside your comfort zone as you age.

Check out the full episode here.

WHAT DOES “HELLO BOLD” MEAN TO YOU?

I started the whole project at about 72 years old and I had the old part down, but I definitely didn’t have the bold part. So I’m the perfect author. I had zero bold. To me, bold is different things for different people. Sometimes it’s something very small. Sometimes it’s something very large. Most of my time was spent wallowing in self-pity that life hadn’t worked out for this reason, that reason. The whole project was really a search for bold. I didn’t start it even as a book. I certainly didn’t start it with a whole pile of bold ideas. I had absolutely nothing.

WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE APPROACH AGING WITH ANXIETY INSTEAD OF CURIOSITY?

I think people get stuck in the negative, what didn’t go right. We also fill our minds with things that aren’t realistic anymore. There’s nobody blazing the trail for us. We’re pioneers. There are 10,000 boomers turning 65 every day and millions turning 80. You’re overwhelmed with loss and change. All loss causes change and even change you choose ends up with losses. You just have fewer people. If you’ve lost health, money, people or security, all of those things keep us stuck for a while.

WHY IS HUMOR SUCH A POWERFUL TOOL WHEN TALKING ABOUT AGING?

Humor is a powerful tool for talking about anything sensitive or difficult. Adding a cartoon takes you out of a live person saying something. It’s just a drawing. Humor makes the medicine go down easier. Reality can be a tough thing to deal with. The old humor acts like a spoonful of sugar. It lets people face difficult truths without feeling attacked or overwhelmed.

HOW IS THE CULTURAL NARRATIVE AROUND AGING CHANGING?

It’s definitely changing and it’s most evident in media and advertising. Years ago, if somebody was even 50, it was treated like they were almost ready for the grave. Now it’s becoming more natural. We’re investing less in clinging tooth and nail to old images and more in what’s next. People are experimenting more. We’ve opened up both ends of the spectrum. I see younger generations being less rigid too. There’s more freedom now to age honestly.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST FEARS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT AGING?

One of the most popular cartoons I’ve done is just a sign in a yard that says, ‘Estate Sale: Everything My Children Told Me They Don’t Want to Inherit.’ People react to it because the stuff we hang onto has emotional power. It represents pieces of our lives, our history, our memories. It’s not just about cleaning out a room. It’s about realizing the past isn’t coming back. I had to stop looking backward and understand that I was stopping any positive input into my life.

Senior living’s biggest opportunity may not be occupancy or operations. It may be human connection. The communities people truly want to be part of are the ones built around trust, culture, communication and meaningful relationships for both residents and families.

That was a major theme during a recent conversation on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable featuring Steve Moran, publisher of Senior Living Foresight and one of the industry’s most recognized voices on senior living culture, workforce challenges and innovation. During a candid Q&A, Steve shared what the industry is overlooking, where operators are getting it right (and wrong) and what senior living must do to better align with the expectations of a new generation of older adults. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from the discussion.

CULTURE, NOT STAFFING, IS THE REAL CHALLENGE

The communities winning on workforce aren’t magically finding more people, they’re building cultures where employees actually want to stay, grow and feel valued.

FAMILY EXPERIENCE IS THE NEXT BIG OPPORTUNITY

Senior living often focuses heavily on residents while overlooking the emotional and logistical burden carried by families. Communities that intentionally support caregivers will build deeper trust and loyalty.

CONNECTION IS THE MOST UNDERSERVED NEED IN SENIOR LIVING

The biggest differentiator may not be amenities or programming, but helping residents and families form real friendships and meaningful human relationships.

TRANSPARENCY BUILDS TRUST, EVEN WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

Families don’t expect perfection. They expect honesty. Communities that communicate openly about challenges, mistakes and solutions create stronger long-term trust.

SENIOR LIVING MUST BECOME MORE ASPIRATIONAL

Most people still move into senior living as a last resort. The future belongs to communities that people choose earlier for lifestyle, purpose, connection and belonging.

LONGEVITY ISN’T ENOUGH WITHOUT QUALITY OF LIFE

The industry has become better at extending life, but it still struggles with how to support emotional well-being, cognition and purpose as people age.

THE WINNERS WILL PRIORITIZE PEOPLE OVER MARGINS

The most successful organizations over the next decade will be the ones known for exceptional care, communication, trust and human connection, not just operational efficiency.

KEY QUESTIONS

What is the biggest challenge facing senior living today?

While staffing shortages often dominate the conversation, Steve Moran argues the bigger issue is culture. Communities that create supportive, engaging workplace environments are often the ones attracting and retaining strong team members.

Why is family engagement becoming more important in senior living?

Families play a major role in the senior living experience, emotionally, financially and logistically. Communities that communicate well and intentionally support caregivers can build stronger trust, loyalty and long-term relationships.

How can senior living communities create stronger human connection?

The most impactful communities help residents and families build authentic relationships and friendships, not just participate in activities or events. Social connection may become one of the industry’s biggest differentiators moving forward.

What will define the most successful senior living communities in the future?

According to Steve Moran, the organizations that thrive long term will prioritize exceptional care, transparency, communication and human connection over simply focusing on operational efficiency and margins.

QUOTES

“One day I was young and I went to bed. I woke up. I was old. That’s how it happens. Suddenly, without warning, you’re there.” (J.J.)

“It was really a search for bold. I didn’t start it even as a book. I certainly didn’t start it with a whole pile of bold ideas. I had absolutely nothing.” (J.J.)

“Everybody’s got a story. Everybody’s got stuff. You can’t base a relationship on sharing your victim story, or at least not very long or successfully.” (J.J.)

“I think a thumbnail definition of bold is facing reality and stepping up and doing what you need to do.” (J.J.)

“Getting older is a very big deal. Anyone who says it happened in a different way or that getting old is no big deal is a liar, liar, pants on fire.” (J.J.)

“Humor is a powerful tool for talking about anything sensitive or difficult.” (J.J.)

“As long as you’re fighting the word old, you’re never going to move forward.” (J.J.)

“Every time someone dies, it’s like a small library burning down.” (J.J.)

“Fear of the future and longing for the past can keep you stuck in place.” (J.J.)

“The good news is your world can get bigger much faster than it took for it to shrink.” (J.J.)

“Nobody was going to rescue me. I had to make this happen.” (J.J.)

“Be careful who you invest time in. How many viable years do I really have left? I don’t have a lot of time to make big mistakes with.” (J.J.)

NOTES

J.J. Hubal is a bestselling author, cartoonist and former special education teacher whose work explores aging through humor, honesty and visual storytelling. Her book Goodbye Old, Hello Bold encourages readers to rethink aging, embrace change and approach later life with more curiosity, courage and self-awareness.

J.J. Hubal is the author of Goodbye Old, Hello Bold, a visually driven book that blends cartoons, essays and reflections on aging. Through humor and deeply personal observations, the book addresses topics like loneliness, grief, reinvention, friendship and resilience while encouraging readers to embrace the realities of growing older.

Hubal spent decades working as a special education teacher before fully embracing writing and cartooning later in life. She has published cartoons and essays for years, with many of her cartoons focused on aging, memory, relationships and the realities of later life. She currently lives in Savannah, Georgia, where she continues writing, drawing and speaking about aging, creativity and personal growth.

J.J. said aging often creates anxiety because people become overwhelmed by loss, change and unrealistic expectations about what later life is supposed to look like.

She described “bold” as facing reality honestly and stepping up to do what needs to be done, even when the actions are small or unnoticed by others.

J.J. explained that humor helps people approach difficult conversations about aging because cartoons and comedy create emotional distance while still communicating truth.

She shared that many of the cultural narratives around aging are shifting, including the growing acceptance of using the word “old” openly and honestly.

J.J. talked about how loneliness became a turning point in her own life and inspired her to actively seek new friendships, experiences and communities.

She discussed the importance of staying open to reinvention later in life and said even small steps, like attending an art class or joining a group, can dramatically expand someone’s world.

J.J. emphasized that many fears around aging stem from clinging too tightly to the past instead of creating space for new experiences, relationships and possibilities.

She encouraged people to think proactively about aging by preparing emotionally, socially and practically for future changes rather than waiting until challenges become crises.

Three hundred conversations in, and the spirit of connection is stronger than ever! Varsity’s 300th weekly Roundtable featured yet another thoughtful exchange, this time with nationally recognized downsizing expert and former Hoarders host Matt Paxton. 

“Downsizing should be an opportunity to share your generational stories and move to a better life. It should not be this overwhelming daunting task,” said Paxton during his conversation with the group. 

As a guest on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable, Paxton talked about the emotional side of downsizing. Why it’s never really about the “stuff,” but about the memories and meaning behind it. He shared practical ways to help people move forward, from starting small to focusing on what truly matters, all while honoring the past. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

IT’S NEVER ABOUT THE STUFF, IT’S ABOUT THE STORY

What people hold onto isn’t clutter, it’s identity, memory and meaning. Until you address the emotional connection, you can’t unlock the move.

PEOPLE ARE STUCK BETWEEN PAST AND FUTURE

Many prospects aren’t resisting the move, they’re paralyzed by memories of the past and fear of making the wrong decision, keeping them from living in the present.

START SMALL TO BUILD MOMENTUM

Downsizing doesn’t begin with big decisions. It starts with small, non-emotional wins that create progress and confidence to keep going.

DON’T RECREATE THE OLD LIFE, CREATE A NEW ONE

The goal isn’t to replicate a former home inside a community. It’s to embrace a new chapter, new space and new experiences.

MOST “VALUABLE” ITEMS AREN’T ACTUALLY VALUABLE

Families often overestimate resale value. Outside of things like gold, most furniture and household items have limited financial return.

SERVICE AND TRUST DRIVE EVERYTHING

Whether working with residents or prospects, success comes from leading with empathy, building trust and helping people move forward, not just moving their stuff.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.

QUOTES

“Theater has the great ability to bring people together in a dark space without anything to distract them. So everyone’s there to hear the same story at the same time. And when they leave the theater, they walk away with that story.” (Jerry)

“Live theater is a very, very special and unique experience that can only happen with that particular group of people you happen to show up with for the same performance.” (Jerry)

“I looked into her eyes and I saw a 19-year-old. She was so eager to be the best that she could be, even at that age. Here’s this young choreographer, and she was willing to listen and take the notes because I was out front watching.” (Jerry)

“Making musicals is like fishing with a net. You throw it into the sea. If it comes back with a lot of fish, you’re going to have success. But if it comes back half empty, you’re not going to run very long.” (Jerry)

“There are more letters in the word business than there are in show. My mom always used to say, it’s our job to get them to come back tomorrow.” (Jerry)

“By giving to my community and creating a safe space and raising money with the help of millions of other dancers and creative artists, that philanthropic event gave me a career.” (Jerry)

“Michael Bennett used to say to me, don’t wait for the muses. Just show up and do the work. And really, that’s what it is. It’s about showing up.” (Jerry)

“The food that you eat, how you fuel your body, is as important as how you use your body to exercise and express itself. The fuel will actually help you in the longevity, without question.” (Jerry)

“When people are in physical spaces together, they are actually doing a dance not to bump into each other. And patterns start to emerge.” (Jerry)

“Finding space for those stories is important, because along with them comes a lot of young, new artists that have new voices. And we need those voices.” (Jerry)

“My relationships with my younger creative artists fuel me as much as I’m giving them advice and fueling them. It’s a give and take, there’s no question.” (Jerry)

“Patience. Patience is the one thing that so many young artists have to learn.” (Jerry)

NOTES

Jerry Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer known for shaping iconic Broadway productions like Hairspray, Kinky Boots, and Legally Blonde. With a career spanning decades, he has built a reputation for blending storytelling, movement and emotion to create memorable theatrical experiences.

Beyond his creative work, Jerry is deeply involved in the Broadway community, contributing as a mentor, collaborator and philanthropist. His leadership and influence extend across generations of performers and creators, helping shape both the art and business of theater.

Jerry is also the creator of Broadway Bares, a long-running fundraising initiative that has generated over $30 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. His philanthropic impact earned him the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, recognizing his commitment to community and giving back.

Live theater creates a shared experience that connects audiences in a way no other medium can.

Great performances evolve over time, with shows becoming stronger and more refined as actors fully inhabit their roles.

Different generations engage with stories in unique ways, often reflecting their own personal experiences and perspectives.

Success in creative work comes from consistently showing up and putting in the effort.

Strong collaboration is essential, requiring alignment, trust and a shared vision to bring ideas to life.

Mentorship is a two-way exchange, where experienced artists and younger talent learn from each other.

Staying relevant requires adapting to changing audiences and understanding what resonates across generations.

Patience is a critical ingredient for long-term growth, especially for those early in their careers.