Jenny Gersten is reshaping musical theater at New York City Center—and she's not afraid to take risks. From programming Bat Boy as a gala to championing forgotten gems like High Spirits, the VP and Artistic Director of Encores! is proving that bold choices and passionate collaborators make magic happen. In this conversation, Jenny opens up about her legendary theatrical lineage, the brutal realities facing nonprofit theater, her unexpected detour running Virgin Voyages' entertainment, and why she believes community-building is the secret ingredient to great art. Plus: exclusive reveals about the 2026 Encores! season, including La Cage aux Folles with Billy Porter and Wayne Brady.

This is Game Changers—your backstage pass to the innovators transforming Broadway.

Director and Executive Producer
Katharine Quinn

Producer
Jake Ropka

Editor
Brian Truong

Associate Producer
Eli Tokash

Photographer and Production Assistant
Olivia Kuan Romano

0:00 Meet Jenny Gersten
8:45 Bat Boy Resistance
15:32 Theatrical Lineage
22:18 Williamstown
31:47 Selecting Encores! Shows
38:29 2026 Season Reveals
45:52 Virgin Voyages Era
53:16 Fixing Broadway
1:02:41 Heroes and Inspiration

Kicking off our Game Changer's Season 2 is Zhailon Levingston! Game Changers is the show where Broadway Marketer and Producer, Katharine Quinn, chats with current broadway professionals leading the charge in changing the industry.

Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist. He is a Board Member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University.

Step into the rehearsal room with Zhailon Levingston, Broadway's youngest Black director and the visionary behind CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL. In this raw and revelatory conversation with producer Katharine Quinn, Zhailon opens up about directing on Broadway before 30, navigating neurodivergence in theater, and reimagining an iconic musical through the lens of ballroom culture. From sleeping on broken futons to making history, this is the story of an artist who's rewriting the rules—one boundary-pushing production at a time.

🎭 And That's Showbiz brings you behind-the-scenes access to the innovators transforming theater. Fan-forward. Digital-first. Unapologetically Broadway.

Catch CATS: The Jellicle Ball March 2026 at the Broadhurst Theatre!

In partnership with The Lights of Broadway Showcards (https://www.thelightsofbroadway.nyc/)

Director
Katharine Quinn

Producer
Jake Ropka

Editor
Brian Truong

The New York Times just reassigned Jesse Green, its longtime and only full-time theater critic — a move that could mark a turning point for arts journalism and Broadway coverage. But is this a thoughtful evolution… or a quiet dismantling of theater criticism as we’ve known it?

In this episode from And That’s Showbiz, Katharine Quinn is joined by two of the most insightful voices in the space: dramaturg and digital creator Kate Reinking and YouTube critic and commentator Mickey-Jo Boucher. Together, they unpack what this shift really means for the future of criticism, influence, and who gets to shape the cultural conversation.

They discuss:

• Jesse Green’s legacy — and the reviews that stuck with them (for better or worse)
• The rise of video, TikTok, and creator-driven theater commentary
• Whether the NYT is clearing space for new voices or phasing out criticism entirely
• What replaces the authority of a “Critic’s Pick” — and whether it still matters

This is an open conversation between three people who care deeply about theater and how we talk about it.

#JesseGreen #NYT #TheaterCriticism #KateReinking #MickeyJoBoucher #Broadway #ArtsJournalism #AndThatsShowbiz #DigitalCriticism #CriticsPick

Join host Katharine Quinn for a conversation with Tony Award-winning designer and producer Clint Ramos on this episode of "Game Changers." From his early days using theater as activism during the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines to becoming the first person of color to win a Tony Award for Costume Design, Clint shares his remarkable journey in American theater.

Discover how Clint's passion for design began in his Filipino boarding school, his transition to NYU, and how his relationship with theater legends like George C Wolfe and Jeanine Tesori shaped his career. With candid insights about his experience designing over 250 shows, including Broadway hits like "Eclipsed," "Once On This Island," and "Slave Play," Clint offers a masterclass in creative evolution and resilience.

The conversation also explores Clint's transition into producing at New York City Center's Encores! series, where he's helping revitalize the institution by attracting younger, more diverse audiences. He discusses the complexities of Broadway as both an artistic and commercial enterprise,and shares his vision for the future of American theater.

This inspiring discussion between old friends (who first met during a production of "Cabaret" at Dallas Theater Center) reveals why Clint has become one of theater's most influential voices both onstage and behind the scenes.

#ClintRamos #GameChangers #BroadwayDesign #TonyAward #Encores #KatharineQuinn #TheaterProducer #CostumeDesign #BroadwayProducer #TheaterActivism #AndThatsShowbiz

ABOUT GAME CHANGERS:
Broadway's most innovative voices take center stage as host Katharine Quinn sits down with the creative forces revolutionizing American theater. From groundbreaking composers to visionary directors, Tony winners to emerging talents – dive deep into the minds of theater's boldest changemakers. No filters, no boundaries, just honest conversations about pushing creative limits and reimagining what theater can be.

Part of And That's Showbiz, Broadway's new digital content network delivering unprecedented access to theater's established and emerging voices. Also available wherever you listen to Podcasts.

WATCH MORE AND THAT'S SHOWBIZ:
I'll Drink To That with Melanie Sutrathada
Slime Tutorial with Wildlin Pierrevil
The Next Big Thing
Jesse Lynn on Broadway

FIND US:
Instagram & TikTok: @andthatsshow.biz
Website: www.andthatsshow.biz

Join host and Broadway strategist Katharine Quinn on "Game Changers" for an insightful conversation with Mickey Jo Boucher, the influential theater YouTuber behind Mickey Jo Theatre. From his beginnings as a secret theater blogger to becoming a pioneering digital theater critic with a global audience, Mickey Jo shares his unique journey navigating the theater industry on both sides of the Atlantic.

Discover how Mickey Jo built his platform as "the artist's critic," his approach to honest theater reviews in the digital age, and the challenges of being perceived as a "disruptor" in traditional theater criticism. Learn about the differences between Broadway and West End audience engagement, the evolution of digital theater coverage, and how social media is reshaping how audiences discover shows.

Mickey Jo also reveals how his audience surprisingly skews American despite being UK-based and his thoughtful perspectives on the future of theater criticism. This conversation offers valuable insights for theater creators, digital content makers, and anyone passionate about the evolving relationship between social media and the stage.

#MickeyJoTheatre #TheaterCritic #YouTubeReviews #BroadwayVsWestEnd #DigitalTheaterCriticism #KatharineQuinn #GameChangers #TheaterInfluencer #BroadwayTikTok #WestEndShows #TheaterReviews #SocialMediaMarketing

Filmed at the Highlight Room, presented by Tao Group
Videography by Sub/Urban Productions
Edited by Masha Mikhailova
Sound by Jake Musiker

ABOUT GAME CHANGERS:
Broadway's most innovative voices take center stage as host Katharine Quinn sits down with the creative forces revolutionizing American theater. From groundbreaking composers to visionary directors, Tony winners to emerging talents – dive deep into the minds of theater's boldest changemakers. No filters, no boundaries, just honest conversations about pushing creative limits and reimagining what theater can be.

Part of And That's Showbiz, Broadway's new digital content network delivering unprecedented access to theater's established and emerging voices. Also available wherever you listen to Podcasts.

ENJOY MORE AND THAT'S SHOWBIZ ON YOUTUBE:
I'll Drink To That with Melanie Sutrathada
Slime Tutorial with Wildlin Pierrevil
The Next Big Thing
Jesse Lynn on Broadway

FIND US:
Instagram & TikTok: @andthatsshow.biz
Website: www.andthatsshow.biz

Join host and Broadway strategist Katharine Quinn on "Game Changers" for an illuminating conversation with Broadway producer Greg Nobile of Seaview Productions. From his humble beginnings in Connecticut community theater to producing Tony Award-winning shows, Greg shares his journey, challenges, and insights into Broadway's evolving landscape.

In this candid discussion, Greg reveals the realities of producing new musicals in today's market, his decade-long journey with "Lempicka," and how star-driven limited engagements have become a successful model in the post-pandemic era. Discover how Seaview Productions is revolutionizing audience engagement, the critical path from Off-Broadway to Broadway success, and Greg's dream of producing a classic tap-dancing musical.

Whether you're an aspiring producer or Broadway enthusiast, Greg's practical wisdom about finding your artistic community and starting where you are will inspire theater makers at all levels. #BroadwayProducer #GregNoble #SeaviewProductions #Broadway #TheatreProducing #LempickaMusical #RomeoAndJuliet #BroadwayBusiness #KatharineQuinn #ShowBizTalk #TheatreLife #BroadwayCreatives #NewMusicals #OffBroadway #Entertainment

Filmed at the Highlight Room, presented by Tao Group
Videography by Sub/Urban Productions
Edited by Masha Mikhailova
Sound by Jake Musiker

ABOUT GAME CHANGERS:
Broadway's most innovative voices take center stage as host Katharine Quinn sits down with the creative forces revolutionizing American theater. From groundbreaking composers to visionary directors, Tony winners to emerging talents – dive deep into the minds of theater's boldest changemakers. No filters, no boundaries, just honest conversations about pushing creative limits and reimagining what theater can be.

Part of And That's Showbiz, Broadway's new digital content network delivering unprecedented access to theater's established and emerging voices. Also available wherever you listen to Podcasts.

WATCH MORE AND THAT'S SHOWBIZ:
I'll Drink To That with Melanie Sutrathada
Slime Tutorial with Wildlin Pierrevil
The Next Big Thing
Jesse Lynn on Broadway

FIND US:
Instagram & TikTok: @andthatsshow.biz
Website: www.andthatsshow.biz

Join host and Broadway strategist Katharine Quinn on "Game Changers" for an insightful conversation with digital theater pioneer Jess Ryan. As one of Broadway's leading experts in livestreaming and digital capture, Jess explores the evolving landscape of filmed theater, audience engagement in the digital age, and the future of hybrid theatrical experiences. Watch as these two innovators discuss the technical and artistic challenges of translating stage magic to screen, the economics of digital distribution, and how emerging technologies are creating new opportunities for global theater access. Jess's groundbreaking work in theatrical livestreaming is helping reshape how we experience and preserve live performance.

#BroadwayInterviews #DigitalTheater #TheatreTech #LiveStreaming #Broadway #MusicalTheater #KatharineQuinn #ShowBizTalk #TheatreLife #BroadwayCreatives #Entertainment #BehindTheScenes #FilmedTheatre

Filmed at the Highlight Room, presented by Tao Group
Videography by Sub/Urban Productions
Edited by Masha Mikhailova
Sound by Jake Musiker

ABOUT GAME CHANGERS:
Broadway's most innovative voices take center stage as host Katharine Quinn sits down with the creative forces revolutionizing American theater. From groundbreaking composers to visionary directors, Tony winners to emerging talents – dive deep into the minds of theater's boldest changemakers. No filters, no boundaries, just honest conversations about pushing creative limits and reimagining what theater can be. Part of And That's Showbiz, Broadway's new digital content network delivering unprecedented access to theater's established and emerging voices. Also available wherever you listen to Podcasts.

WATCH MORE AND THAT'S SHOWBIZ:
I'll Drink To That with Melanie Sutrathada
Slime Tutorial with Wildlin Pierrevil
The Next Big Thing
Jesse Lynn on Broadway

FIND US:
Instagram & TikTok: @andthatsshow.biz
Website: www.andthatsshow.biz

Join host and Broadway strategist Katharine Quinn on "Game Changers" for an electric conversation with viral dance sensation Cost N Mayor (Austin Telenko and Marideth Batchelor). Fresh off choreographing two acclaimed productions of Waitress, this dynamic duo breaks down their journey from TikTok stardom to being Broadway's next creative force.

Watch as Austin and Marideth share their unique perspective on the demanding world of musical theater choreography, their serendipitous meeting that led to social media fame, and how they're revolutionizing the intersection of dance and digital media. Get an exclusive look into their creative process and a sneak peek at their next Broadway-bound project.

Don't miss this candid discussion about the evolution of theater dance, building an authentic online presence, and what it really takes to make it in the industry. Their fresh take on musical theater movement and innovative approach to social media will inspire creators across all platforms.

#BroadwayDance #CostNMayor #Waitress #MusicalTheater #TikTokCreators #BroadwayChoreography #KatharineQuinn #ShowBizTalk #TheatreLife #BroadwayCreatives #DanceLife #DigitalCreators #Entertainment #BehindTheScenes #dancerslife

Filmed at the Melrose Podcast Studio, Los Angeles
Edited by Masha Mikhailova

ABOUT GAME CHANGERS:
Broadway's most innovative voices take center stage as host Katharine Quinn sits down with the creative forces revolutionizing American theater. From groundbreaking composers to visionary directors, Tony winners to emerging talents – dive deep into the minds of theater's boldest changemakers. No filters, no boundaries, just honest conversations about pushing creative limits and reimagining what theater can be.
Part of And That's Showbiz, Broadway's new digital content network delivering unprecedented access to theater's established and emerging voices. Also available wherever you listen to Podcasts.

WATCH MORE AND THAT'S SHOWBIZ:
I'll Drink To That with Melanie Sutrathada
Slime Tutorial with Wildlin Pierrevil
The Next Big Thing
Jesse Lynn on Broadway

FIND US:
Instagram & TikTok: @andthatsshow.biz
Website: www.andthatsshow.biz