Richie debuted on Broadway in the ensemble of the original cast of Dreamgirls, after having toured with the International/National companies of A Chorus Line. He was also seen Off-Broadway in Pacific Overtures and The Coronation of Poppea. Richie then starred in the PBS Special "The Constitution" and co-starred in the now cult-classic film Rappin. As an author of twenty books on diverse issues ranging from racism/prejudice to religion/pop culture, Richie has won two journalism awards. The Art of Life marks his first play. He is currently writing the book and music/lyrics to his first musical, Carly.

Abbey O’Brien is currently the Global Associate Director & Choreographer of Waitress the musical. She also just wrapped up her time as the Associate Director on the hit musical Moulin Rouge! and as the Associate Choreographer on the acclaimed Broadway show, Jagged Little Pill.  She has had a career in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. Her experience spans from being a Tony Award-winning cast member, being on the creative teams for Emmy nominated TV shows and Tony nominated Broadway shows, directing original works, choreographing music videos to collaborating with major corporations as a Creative Director. Directing credits: The Rocky Horror Show, Meet Me in St. Louis, 13 the musical, A Quarantine Cabaret. Up and coming: Never Be King. Choreography credits: Extraordinary ( Directed by Diane Paulis), SUGARLAND (music video), The Late Show with Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Dreamgirls, Smokey Joe’s, Big Fish, Rock of Ages (Theatre Aspen), Mama Mia, American Idiot. Associate: Is There Still Sex in the City, Odyssey (Public Theatre), Elf (Paper Mill), Ragtime (Lincoln Center), Company, National Pastime (Bucks County), A Taste of Things to Come (Broadway Playhouse). Some of her favorite Performing credits: Spamalot (Broadway), Pal Joey (Broadway), Radio City Rockettes, SMASH (NBC). She is also the Director of Theatre at Perry-Mansfield. You can see some of her work at abbeyo.com

Jackie Leibowitz is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist based out of New Jersey. She is a freelance actor, stage manager, dramaturg, and Musical Theatre Historian among many other jobs. She holds a BA in Theatre and MA in Musical Theatre Studies from Temple University and currently runs her own Broadway-themed Etsy shop, Broadway Dork Designs. Some favorite roles include Hope Lennon (Finding Hope – World Premiere, Philly Young Playwrights), Rona Lisa Peretti/Olive’s Mom (Spelling Bee), and Queen Aggravain (Once Upon A Mattress). When she’s not working on shows professionally, she loves to split her time in NJ community theatre or working at her alma mater, Cedar Grove High School, on their musicals each year. 

Off Broadway credits include FIVE: The Parody Musical, Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors and The Gospel According to Heather. A huge thank you to my friends and family for supporting my journey thus far; may we all be so lucky!

New Stage Theatrical Management, an industry up and comer led by Ariana Sarfarazi, Brent Bejsovec, and Clayton Howe. Drawing on 40+ combined years of experience in the entertainment industry was founded on the belief that everyone should have access to making thoughtful art, and should be supported along the way. New Stage’s ultimate goal is to break through the hustle and bustle of the entertainment business in order to foster a supportive environment where everyone can do their best possible work.

David Norwood has extensive experience as a producer, director, general manager, and company manager. Previous credits include Mind Mangler, The Gospel According to Heather, The Minutes, Chicken & Biscuits, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Tender Napalm, Salome: Da Voodoo Princess of Nawlins, Next to Normal, and several workshops, staged readings, and developmental projects. He has served as a GM/CM with many prominent offices such as RCI Theatricals, ShowTown Theatricals, and TT Partners. He is a proud member of SDC, and an alumnus of the Commercial Theatre Institute in New York, and its sister organization, Stage One in London. He holds an MA in Theatre History and Criticism from Hunter College and a BA in Directing from the City College of New York.

Drawing upon 15 years of combined experience servicing Fortune 500 companies, marketing some of the world’s most iconic brands, and producing Broadway shows, our founding team came together on the belief that traditional theatre marketing is due for a revolution. As leaders of this revolution, Innoruptiv aims to bring a deeper sense of care to every consumer touchpoint and reexamine the traditional slate of theatre marketing capabilities with fresh, innovative eyes. Above all, we are passionate about the transformative power of theatre and the role that marketing can play in both bringing this art form to new audiences and deepening relationships with current fans. Let’s chat about our plans to innovate and disrupt in the world of entertainment, one audience member at a time.

Broadway: Here Lies Love & How To Dance In Ohio. Off-Broadway: Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors. London: Rain and Zoe Save the World. Upcoming: Never Be King. Curiosity and a passion for thoughtful storytelling led Clay right into the theater industry. After performing on Disney Cruise Line and in the Broadway National Tour of Waitress, he made a transition into theatrical and podcast production. Clay has produced On and Off Broadway and in London’s West End. Entertainmentx, his podcast, has previously hosted Grammy winner Jonathan Groff; Tony Award winners Billy Porter and Jerry Mitchell; plus Hollywood and Broadway stars and choreographers like Bradley James, Jonah Platt, Diana DeGarmo, and Morgan James, as well as emerging talent from film, TV, Broadway and publishing. Clay believes in genuine human connection and the power of kindness. Consequently, he loves to meet and connect like-minded humans. He currently sits on the board of the Musical Creators’ Institute and the advisory board of CM Performing Arts Center. Clay is an alum of SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. Matthew 7:7