Tag: mentorship

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.

QUOTES

“SCORE is a connected network that reaches across the country of experienced business mentors who volunteer their time and expertise to help anyone looking to start or grow or is struggling in a small business.” (Bridget)

“Like small businesses need to do, we need to evolve as an organization as well.” (Bridget)

“Because SCORE had already seen that virtual was a viable path to connecting with people, we were able to move to virtual mentoring and virtual education without missing a beat. We didn’t miss a day of service.” (Bridget)

“We can’t lose that human touch and that human connection. That personal touch, I believe, will always need to be there.” (Bridget)

“If you meet with a business mentor for three hours, you are five times more likely to increase your revenue.” (Bridget)

“One of the top commonalities that all of the SCORE volunteers have is that they want to help others to make sure that they can have an easier time of succeeding in their small business.” (Bridget)

“It helps them to feel not only that they’re giving back, but they’re getting something in return by connecting with these people.” (Bridget)

“Mentoring is free. You can meet with a mentor one time, you can meet with a mentor 1,000 times. It is always free.” (Bridget)

“On average, people stay at SCORE to volunteer for five plus years. If it wasn’t fulfilling, if it wasn’t engaging, you would go and find another opportunity.” (Bridget)

“It is this beautiful relationship that can develop over time. I know mentors who have been invited to their clients’ children’s weddings, to christenings, to funerals.” (Bridget)

“You don’t have to be an expert in all things, but you also don’t have to be alone. Let us help you.” (Bridget)

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Without a strong economy, we don’t have as strong of communities.” (Bridget)

NOTES

Bridget Weston is the CEO of SCORE, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit networks dedicated to supporting small business owners. With more than 16 years at the organization, she leads its mission of mentoring, education and community impact.

SCORE is a national nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, offering free mentoring and education to entrepreneurs. With thousands of volunteer mentors across the country, SCORE empowers small business owners at every stage of growth, from idea to exit strategy.

Founded over 60 years ago by retired DuPont executives, SCORE has evolved beyond its original “Service Corps of Retired Executives” identity to welcome working professionals and leaders from diverse backgrounds. Today, 30% of SCORE’s volunteers are still actively working, ensuring clients benefit from fresh perspectives as well as seasoned expertise. In 2023 alone, SCORE helped launch more than 54,000 businesses and add 83,000 jobs to the economy.

SCORE evolved from an organization of retired executives to a diverse network of working and retired professionals volunteering their expertise.

The organization anticipated the shift toward virtual mentoring before the pandemic and now serves more than 80% of clients virtually.

While embracing technology and AI, SCORE emphasizes that human connection and personal touch remain essential to mentoring.

SCORE serves a wide range of entrepreneurs, from microbusinesses and restaurants to government contractors and encore entrepreneurs (55+).

Volunteers often stay with SCORE for five or more years because the experience is rewarding and deeply meaningful.

Mentoring is always free, allowing entrepreneurs to access guidance as often as they need.

SCORE partnerships—with SBA, AARP, universities and local organizations—expand reach and connect mentors with both younger and older entrepreneurs.

Small businesses are “the backbone of our economy,” and SCORE’s work strengthens communities across the country.