STAGES is coming into its own as a home for exciting new theater performances. This season, the company presented its second pre-Broadway production, Austen’s Pride. “To be chosen as the home of the launch for Austen’s Pride is a true honor that shines a national spotlight on the St. Louis arts community while proving that St. Louis can serve as a crossroads for Broadway and regional theater,” Kuhlman says. Beyond its mainstage productions, the Kirkwood-based company also helps develop next-generation talent through its Performing Arts Academy.
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2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the past 12 months? Last July, STAGES St. Louis opened Austen’s Pride, the second pre-Broadway production in our organization’s history following The Karate Kid: The Musical in 2022. Austen’s Pride is a musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride & Prejudice. This time, however, Jane Austen herself is a character in the story, and as we watch the tumultuous relationship between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy unfold, we also see the evolution of Austen’s relationship with the creative writing process itself. There are several notable theatre companies around the country that offer season placement for pre-Broadway work and producers. To be chosen as the home of the launch for Austen’s Pride is a true honor that shines a national spotlight on the St. Louis arts community while proving that St. Louis can serve as a crossroads for Broadway and regional theatre. After its not-for-profit run at STAGES, Austen’s Pride launched a multi-city national tour before a hopeful Broadway run. I am utterly thrilled to play a part in the creative process of this new musical and proud of the hard work being done by our administrative team, artists, technicians, etc.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? I’m most excited to see that, despite the pandemic, people are still excited about the performing arts. Our audiences here in St. Louis are incredibly dedicated and loyal, and they have been for 39 seasons. However, STAGES is also creating opportunities for new audience members to join us whether as subscribers or single ticket buyers. At each performance of our annual season, I’m meeting new people and they are being introduced to the magic of STAGES. Our world and our industry have been through a lot in recent years. It is so encouraging to see that theatre is still something that people want to make time for and want to celebrate.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? If I could change one thing about the performing arts industry, it would be to take inspiration from other countries and continue support of the arts on a national level. The United States has such a vibrant history in the theatre arts and to see our companies and artists losing that support is difficult.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome? At STAGES, the toughest business challenge we’ve had to overcome is the rightsizing of our financial landscape. With increasing costs, an ever-changing philanthropic environment, and other outside factors, it has been a major focus at STAGES to strengthen our finances in the present and build reserves for our future. We’ve done this through creative co-production partnerships, initiating and building upon new lines of revenue like our travel division, and launching the 40th anniversary fundraising campaign to support general operating and build a board-designated reserve.
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Don’t let the unknown scare you away. Every day in your field, there will be statements ending in question marks, and those can be intimidating. But part of the fun is determining how we as leaders will end those statements. Are we closing with a period? With an exclamation point? Does our sentence include the pronoun “I,” or is it a team effort and include the word “we”? The hard work that chooses our words and punctuation is what it’s truly about.
MENTORS & PEERS
What is a key strength of the St. Louis metro area business environment? The diversity of product and company in the St. Louis arts community is something that cannot be denied. On any given summer night, you can visit Forest Park and see world-class musicals at The Muny and Shakespearean dramas or comedies at St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. You can see hit shows direct from Broadway at the Fabulous Fox. You can see a vibrant lineup of plays and musicals at The Rep. You can see fascinating takes on the works of one of St. Louis’ own at the Tennessee Williams Festival. You can take in stories of vital importance at The Black Rep. You can introduce students, children, and grandchildren to the theatre at Metro Theater. St. Louis is defined by our people, and our people crave and support the arts. That community is just one part of why St. Louis is not flyover country. We’re so much more.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment? I truly believe that partnerships are the key to the future in our industry. I would love to see more partnerships come to life here in St. Louis. Whether these be between likeminded not-for-profits or creating stronger connections between the our industry and the for-profit sector.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? Alicia Scott-Aune, our artistic general manager. I’ve known Alicia since 2015, and she is one of the hardest-working individuals I’ve ever known. Her mind is truly a steel trap for data, numbers, facts, etc., and she can find solutions when solutions don’t seem possible. I could not do my job without Alicia.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? The Arthritis Foundation here in St. Louis is doing some really special work. In 2023, I was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune version of arthritis known as Adult-onset Still’s disease. While incurable, my doctors and I have worked hard to manage the disease and make it something that is a part of me. Wanting to find a way to give back, I joined the Arthritis Foundation board in 2024 and have learned so much more about this “invisible” disease. They’re doing fantastic work to raise awareness, fundraise for research, and more.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? St. Louis
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Performance (Bradley University)
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was actually as the apprentice for theatre leadership at STAGES St. Louis. Last year marked my 15th anniversary with STAGES, and I could not be prouder that this company has shaped who I am. This apprenticeship showed me how important administrators are in the theatre arts.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What’s your hobby/passion? OK, I have to say that the passion/hobby that sits at the top of my list is theatre—building it, cultivating it, seeing it live… There’s nothing better. But when I want to step away from that hobby/passion, the first thing I want to do is build a LEGO set. I have loved LEGOs since I was kid, and there is something about building something tangible and watching it come to life in front of you that is really special. My office at home and at our administrative home in Chesterfield is covered in LEGOs, and there’s nothing better.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? I recently finished The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and find myself applying what I’ve learned from it quite often. The power to step away and stop letting the drama, opinions, and judgment of other people impact you in a negative manner is really powerful.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? I talk to the team at STAGES. We have some of the most brilliant arts administrators in the field, who always have terrific input and have the ability to find an answer or inspiration through a simple conversation.
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? Besides the LEGO comment from the last question? When I really need to step away from the craziness of our industry, there is nothing better than a Real Housewives marathon.
