AhHa!Broadway’s new initiative:
Why this matters
Only 1/3 of theatre and film/TV productions are directed by women. Only 10% of Fortune 500 company CEO’s are women. And less than 30% of C-suite leadership roles in the US are held by women.
Changing this requires providing future women with knowledge, skills, experience, and inspiration. Especially girls who might lack opportunity or resources to do this — due to cultural background or financial limitations that block access.
That’s where we come in.
Performing arts — in particular theatre — can provide an ideal environment to learn important skills and lay a foundation that can impact a girl’s future in performing arts — and in business (and life) in general.
(See below how you can be involved)
What we’re doing
In 2025, AhHa!Broadway plans to launch a 10-week comprehensive in-person academy-style workshop series Girls Who Direct for up to 20 teen girls in the New York City area, culminating in a performance for a live audience.
Selected area schools will be invited to nominate a girl between 12-17 years old to participate at no cost, based on leadership qualities, ambition, talent, financial need, and diversity considerations.
What happens
The selected girls will learn from both women theatre experts and women business leaders, along with special guest mentors, they will support each other, and they will each direct a scene with other participants as actors.
The girls will benefit by immersion in an experience that teaches 10 important skills or qualities, applicable to both theatre and the girls’ eventual professional lives:
Creative Vision – A director needs to have a clear idea of the story they want to tell and how they want to convey it, including the mood, themes, and aesthetics of the production.
Leadership – Directors guide the entire cast and crew, so understanding how to motivate and inspire while setting a productive, positive atmosphere is essential.
Communication – Clear and effective communication is crucial, from conveying ideas to giving notes and addressing issues. Directors need to articulate their vision and collaborate well with everyone involved.
Problem-Solving – Theatrical productions often face challenges like technical limitations, casting issues, or unexpected events. Directors should be able to adapt and find creative solutions.
Organization, Time Management, and Project Management – Directors keep track of many moving parts, including scenes, schedules, cues, and technical details. Organizational skills help maintain efficiency and order. And, rehearsal time is limited, so directors need to plan carefully to make sure all scenes are rehearsed and every aspect of the production is prepared by opening night.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence – A good director understands the emotions of their cast and crew and helps actors connect with their roles on a deeper level.
Technical Knowledge – Directors benefit from understanding lighting, sound, costume, and set design basics so they can communicate with designers effectively and understand technical possibilities and limitations.
Storytelling and Interpretation – Directors are interpreters of the script. They must understand pacing, character development, and emotional beats to create a compelling narrative.
Adaptability and Flexibility – Every production is unique, and directors need to be flexible and open to changes or new ideas to enhance the show.
Working with Other Team Members – Teamwork and Delegation
When the Girls Who Direct program concludes, each girl will introduce their directed scene when it is performed to an audience by their peer participants, and they will receive a certificate of achievement. And, two particularly outstanding participants will be selected to return as mentors in a future AhHa!Broadway program!
Nominate and Partner
We’ll have more details as Girls Who Direct develops!
Contact us if you are your school would like to be considered for nomination to participate.
Contact us if you would like to partner with AhHa!Broadway for the success of Girls Who Direct.