The Offstage Mic

Is opera actually dying, or is the business model simply stuck in the digital dark ages? In this episode of The Offstage Mic, Aubrey Bergauer sits down with Dr. Caitlin Vincent, author of 'Opera Wars', to dismantle the narrative that the art form is fading. Instead, they look at the hard data: while public demand for live culture remains high, the structural systems—from hiring practices to financial management—are faltering.
This episode is for arts administrators, executive leaders, and creators across all disciplines who are tired of 'gut instinct' management and ready for data-backed change. You’ll learn how gender bias is baked into repertoire selection, why the 'artistic genius' trope protects toxic behavior, and why every artistic decision must be viewed as a commercial one to ensure survival.
Sponsors:
Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrative
EvolvArts: https://evolvarts.com
Morreale Digital: https://morreale.ca/podcast
Sources:
The Conversation: Opera is not dying – but it needs a second act for the streaming era https://theconversation.com/opera-is-not-dying-but-it-needs-a-second-act-for-the-streaming-era-271376
Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society: Financial Headwinds in the Performing Arts: Evidence from United States Opera, 2005–2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10632921.2025.2596078
Caitlin Vincent: Opera Wars https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opera-Wars/Caitlin-Vincent/9781668084069

Customer experience is more than a buzzword. It is a critical driver of the bottom line, affecting everything from word-of-mouth marketing to donor retention. In this episode, Aubrey Bergauer dives into the 'Three Fs' of customer experience with a focus on making the venue friendly for newcomers. As traditional subscriber bases shrink, organizations must pivot to engage the 'non-aficionado' majority who value surprise, quality, and unpredictability in live events.Who it's for: Arts leaders, marketers, and executive directors looking to modernize their audience engagement and operational strategies.
We’re joined by Toby Suckow and Mason Bates of Mercury Soul, an innovative organization redefining how audiences experience classical music through immersive, nightlife-inspired performances. Toby and Mason share how they’ve built a groundbreaking model that blends electronic music, classical performance, and experiential design to attract new audiences and reimagine concert culture. This episode dives into arts innovation, immersive experiences, audience development, and the future of live performance.
Sponsors:
Bolero: hellobolero.com/changingthenarrative
EvolvArts: evolvearts.com
Morreale Digital: morreale.ca/podcast
Sources:
McKinsey: A new way to measure word-of-mouth marketing https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/a-new-way-to-measure-word-of-mouth-marketing#/
Eventbrite: Social Study Report: How Gen Z and Millennials Are Redefining Live Experiences in 2026 https://investor.eventbrite.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2026/Eventbrites-Inaugural-Social-Study-Report-Reveals-the-Reset-to-Real-How-Gen-Z-and-Millennials-Are-Redefining-Live-Experiences-in-2026/default.aspx

Welcome to Season 6 of The Offstage Mic! We are kicking things off with a massive milestone: our 50th episode. In this season premiere, host Aubrey Bergauer dives deep into the latest national data from SMU DataArts, JCA, and Advisory Board for the Arts to reveal the truth about the 'cutting death spiral' currently facing cultural institutions. This episode is for arts administrators, executive directors, and board members who are tired of short-term budget fixes and are looking for a sustainable path to growth.
You’ll learn how the ‘minimum viable product’ model applies to arts innovation, why cutting performances is actually hurting your bottom line, and the surprising reason your first-year subscribers are the key to unlocking long-term donor loyalty. Plus, Aubrey announces a major giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes, including gift cards, t-shirts, and a free Audience Development Bootcamp.
Subscribe to the show for more data-backed strategies to help your arts organization thrive. Whether you are listening or watching our new video format, we appreciate your support in changing the narrative for the arts.

Sponsors:
Bolero: hellobolero.com/changingthenarrative
EvolvArts: evolvearts.com
Morreale Digital: morreale.ca/podcast

Sources:
Edison Research: Podcast Listening Hits Record High https://www.edisonresearch.com/podcast-listening-hits-record-highs/#:~:text=The%20percentage%20of%20people%20age,100%20million%20weekly%20listeners%20milestone.

Riverside: Podcast Statistics and Trends for 2026
https://riverside.com/blog/podcast-statistics#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20podcasts%20were%20most,68%25%20listen%20to%20whole%20episodes

Podcast Hawk: 70% of the Audience Listen to a Full Podcast Episodes https://podcasthawk.com/70-of-the-audience-listen-to-a-full-podcast-episodes-the-key-to-targeting/#:~:text=The%20answer%20might%20surprise%20you,is%20the%20key%20to%20success

Signal Hill: YouTube’s Growth As a Podcast Power Player https://www.westwoodone.com/blog/2024/07/08/youtubes-growth-as-a-podcast-power-player-revealed-in-cumulus-media-and-signal-hill-insights-podcast-download-spring-2024-report/

SMU DataArts: National Trends 2025 https://culturaldata.org/national-trends/national-trends-2025/

Aubrey Bergauer: Scarcity Mindset is Killing Your Arts Organization https://aubreybergauer.medium.com/scarcity-mindset-is-killing-your-arts-organization-f4c023f1c844

JCA: Trends in Performing Arts Audience Behavior: 4 Key Takeaways for 2026 https://www.jcainc.com/trends-in-performing-arts-audience-behavior-4-key-takeaways-for-2026/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sharpspring&sslid=M7e0MDAyMjMyNjI2AQA&sseid=MzEAAUMDS0tLMwNjEwA&jobid=3d003ea7-7129-4e80-9ea1-ece89d2b0133

Advisory Board for the Arts: 2025 Ticket and Subscriptions Sales and 2026 Forecasts https://www.advisoryboardarts.com/research-collector/2025salesrevenues2026projections

What does Changing the Narrative mean ten years later? That is what this season of The Offstage Mic with Aubrey Bergauer is all about. How can we continue to change the narrative for our cultural institutions today? How can we reverse the negative trends so pervasive these days?
This podcast is about running our business: how to grow audiences, develop high performing teams and leaders, get younger attendees in the seats and on the donor rolls, apply strategies working in other sectors, and generate more revenue, all in order to serve the mission and flourish in a changing world.
We are talking all things the business side of the arts, and it is not business as usual.
Season Six of The Offstage Mic launches April 14. Watch, listen and follow along wherever you get your podcasts.

If your days as an arts leader are consumed by never-ending to-do lists, last-minute fires, and reactive work—this episode is your call to break the cycle. In this Season 5 finale, we dig into a leadership struggle that nearly every arts executive, administrator, and manager faces: the battle between the urgent and the important.
Through honest reflection, personal experience, and practical tools, we unpack why time management in arts leadership isn’t just about productivity—it’s about reclaiming your role as a strategic visionary. You’ll learn how to identify the 20% of your work that drives real impact, why busyness can be a form of avoidance, and how to shift your focus toward building a thriving future for your organization. If you're ready to trade burnout for clarity and momentum, this episode offers both the mindset shift and tactical tools to help you get there.
The Offstage Mic is made possible by Artelize: their Audience Retention Dashboard is the one-stop place to access your audience data across every important metric. And also by Annual Fund Toolkit: they’ve built a support system to help grow your donor community and major gift pipeline.