We Founded Art & Soul Because Brave Work Shouldn't Break People.

After decades working in theater and arts spaces, we discovered something crucial: the difference between teams that make brave work and teams that burn out isn't about talent — it's about system design.

We observed which creative environments fostered psychological safety, which leadership practices sustained performance, and which culture choices allowed people to show up authentically.

We codified those patterns into the STAGES™ Framework — a system now used by directors, innovation leaders, and arts organizations worldwide.

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Our Mission, Vision & Values

We equip creative leaders across corporate, arts, and educational environments with the STAGES™ Framework — an operating system that helps them leap past box-checking and buzzwords into a living rhythm of trust, feedback, and innovative flow.

Our vision is a creative industry where teams breathe freely, experiment boldly, and build brilliant work on trust — not trauma. Where psychological safety and creative courage don't just coexist — they fuel each other.

Compassion
- We lead with care for the whole human, not just the role they play.
Curiosity
- We approach every challenge with openness, asking "What if?" instead of "Why not us?"
Connection
- We believe belonging isn't a bonus — it's the foundation of brave collaboration.

Meet the Team

Kira Troilo

Founder & CEO

Kira is a theater artist, lifelong creative professional, and inclusion strategist who has spent 20+ years building brave spaces in rehearsal rooms, boardrooms, and everywhere in between.

As a Black, biracial woman navigating predominantly white creative spaces, Kira understands firsthand what it means to lead with both vulnerability and strength. She founded Art & Soul to bring the rigor of theater's trust-building practices to organizations ready to design for psychological safety — not just hope for it.

Kira has supported 1,000+ arts leaders and creatives, trained 35+ Inclusive STAGES alumni, and works with organizations like Harvard University, Stratford Festival, and Boston Lyric Opera.

When she's not facilitating brave conversations, you'll find Kira hanging with her family and playing with her two beautiful sons, sharing a beautiful cheese plate with friends, or (ideally) on the beach.
Ari Welch

Director of Operations

Ari is an event creator, stage manager, and producer who brings heart, intention, and a dash of artistry to every gathering she shapes — from immersive arts events to mission-driven educational programs.

Navigating the behind-the-scenes magic of youth theater with Weston Drama Workshop and pioneering new possibilities as Programs & Special Events Coordinator for Inclusive Stages, Ari leads with empathy, precision, and a commitment to inclusion. Her work spans producing, consulting, and co-creating brave spaces where everyone feels invited to shape the story.
A longtime champion of equity and belonging, Ari brings her background as an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant for Art & Soul Consulting and her BFA from The Theater School at DePaul University into every partnership.
When she’s not working, you’ll find Ari connecting with friends over good food, in a dance class, or exploring Boston’s theater scene.

How We Work Together

Here's what changes when you work with Art & Soul:

✨ Your team stops holding its breath—and starts creating together

✨ Feedback builds bridges instead of walls

✨ Leaders guide with compassion while driving bold results

✨ Brave work becomes sustainable, not rare

How? Our approach is rooted in three principles:

Design for Trust, Don't Assume It Most teams hope for psychological safety. We build the systems that make it inevitable.
Center the Human, Not Just the Role Brave work requires whole humans, not just their skillsets. We design for both.
Make It Repeatable STAGES™ isn't a one-time workshop. It's an operating system your teams use again and again.

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Transformation In Action

From holding their breath → to breathing freely.

From hoping for brave collaboration → to designing for it.

When organizations work with Art & Soul using the STAGES™ Framework, here's what becomes possible:

Corporate Creative Teams

Build cultures where Gen Z and Boomers bridge divides, meetings spark innovation, and brave ideas don't die before they're shared
Arts Leaders

Create rehearsal rooms where actors of color finally relax, creativity flows freely, and teams leave energized—not drained
Educational Leaders

Design spaces where students and teachers navigate harm vs. discomfort together, psychological safety is real (not performed), and everyone can exhale

See Their Stories Below ↓

Proof That It Works

Our Impact in Numbers

1,000+

1,000+ arts leaders and creatives supported
35+

35+ Inclusive STAGES™ alumni
100+

100+ creative projects intentionally designed for bravery

What Our Clients Say

From "hoping for change" to "culture worth bragging about" — here's what transformation looks like:

"The way that Kira and her work enhanced our process on Get Happy was immeasurable. DEI work in the theatre so often feels perfunctory, performative, and solely aimed at limiting liability for the production. Kira's philosophy, knowledge, enthusiasm, and artistry allowed us to use our individual identities to deepen our work and enhance our collaboration in a way that improved the final product, enriched our personal experiences, and allowed the entire company to contribute to the production in a deeper and more expansive way than I have experienced on other projects."

WILL ROLAND — Actor (Broadway/Get Happy)
"Using the A&S STAGES framework—I now have the language and the tools to direct with clarity, honesty, transparency, and compassion. The impact on me personally and my work has allowed me to walk into any room, in any situation with confidence knowing that I have an approach that is clear, flexible enough to tailor to any situation and to any group I'm interacting with. Since I started using the Art & Soul Framework I have heard how the artists I've worked with have benefitted directly. Artists feeling more confident, less afraid, more balanced, more free and the ripple effects from those interactions is limitless. My work feels more sustainable because I don't have to pour from an empty cup. It's given me more trust in myself and the ability to show up authentically and more deeply human—which is SO important in this work."

LEIGH BARRETT — Director & Actor (STAGES Cohort)
"Kira's work at the Irish Classical Theatre Company was transformative for our collaborators. She was a stabilizing presence in our rehearsal process, and an invaluable resource for both the administration and creative teams. Kira helped our team navigate difficult material, and guided us in creating and upholding an intentional, collaborative, healthy, brave and human-centered creative space."

KEELIE SHERIDAN — Artistic Director, Irish Classical Theatre Company
"This moment in the performing and entertainment industries is so challenging to our survival as artists and creative organizations. The Inclusive STAGES training encourages thoughtful, patient conversations to build communities not only in our rehearsal rooms, but also out in the world. I have found myself more willing to bravely facilitate difficult moments because of the foundational framework I received through Inclusive STAGES, which informs everything from interpersonal conversations to season selection, and everything in between. This work leads to more sustainable practices as every rehearsal process informs the next, and we are consistently curious about how to continue growing as artists and as an organization."

HEATHER MELL — Managing Director, Greater Boston Stage Company (STAGES Cohort)
"Kira provided our department, students, and faculty with the necessary tools for positive, productive, meaningful change during a particularly challenging time. Her skill in creating a safe environment for all stakeholders allowed for healthy conversation and discourse, thereby building trust and a progressive cultural climate. Her resources and connections to the professional arts industry made long lasting impressions and provided perspective for our students beyond the walls of their school."

STEVE BLACK — K-12 Director of Visual & Performing Arts, Melrose Public Schools