Pictured from left to right: Megan Behm, Rebecca Hopkins, Raquel Johnson, Madeleine Kee, Molly Miller and Naythen B. Rinehart

Twelve performing arts leadership and management (PALM) graduate students presented research at this year’s Shenandoah University Research Expo (SURE) on Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30, in the Hazel-Pruitt Armory. The following research projects were presented as part of SURE’s recorded talks and were shared on a video loop in the main atrium.

Madeleine Baum ’25

“Deepen vs. Broaden: Reimagining How the Arts Industry Can Engage with Audiences”
Performing Arts Audience Development

Megan Behm ’25

“Should Shared Leadership Be the Gold Standard for American Regional Theatre? An Examination of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Theatre’s Trendiest Leadership Model”
Theatre/Performing Arts

Emily Bovan ’25

“How the COVID-19 Pandemic and Black Lives Matter Movement Impacted the Theater Industry”
Performing Arts

Alyssa Downing ’25

“The Effects of Live Performance Streaming on Audience Building”
Performing Arts

Rebecca Hopkins ’23, ’25 (B.F.A. in Dance)

“Artificial Intelligence and Skill Decay”
Performing Arts Leadership and Management

Raquel Johnson ’23 ’25 (B.A. in Music – Oboe)

“Full Stage, Empty Seats: Increasing Audience Engagement for Classical Music Organizations”
Performing Arts Leadership and Management

Madeleine Kee ’24, ’25 (B.F.A. in Musical Theatre)

“Artistic Health for Children: How the Arts Can Support Children’s Mental Health”
Arts Administration and Management

Amber Leitsch ’25

“Social Media and the Art of Theatre”
Arts Administration and Marketing

Marissa McCoy ’25

“Bringing Arts to Schools: A Look at Advocating for Arts Education Outside of Public Education”
Arts Education

Molly Miller ’25

“Listen and Share: Utilizing storytelling as healing in theatrical practices”
Arts Administration

Dasia-Marie Mitchell ’24, ’25 (B.M. in Performance)

“Public Funding Models vs. Private Funding Model Impact in Arts Education Opportunities for Adolescents”
Arts Management

Naythen B. Rinehart ’25

“Military Resilience and the Performing Arts”
Performing Arts Studies, Drama Therapy