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Episode Description

In this episode of the Women Emerging Expedition Podcast, host Julia Middleton engages with two remarkable theater directors, Jennifer from Canada and Viviana from Argentina, who illuminate the intricate art of leading creative processes. Jennifer reflects on her evolution as a leader, moving from a directive, “boss-like” approach inspired by male mentors to a more collaborative and intuitive style. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and creating an environment where all voices contribute. Her mantra: “The three words that are the best words to utter in any creative process are, ‘Let’s try it.'”
Viviana, on the other hand, challenges traditional paradigms of leadership by embracing uncertainty, playfulness, and shared control. She likens her approach to being “childish” in the best sense; curious, open to surprises, and unafraid to let the process unfold organically. For Vivi, the space between people in a theater is as vital as the people themselves, fostering connection and innovation.
Together, Jennifer and Viviana’s stories weave a narrative that celebrates vulnerability, trust, and the courage to abandon rigid control. This episode offers profound lessons not only for leaders in the arts but for anyone navigating the complexities of collaborative creation.

About the Guests

Jennifer Stein

Jennifer Stein is an award-winning creative producer and director with over 25 years of experience in event management and production. As Executive Producer for Shopify Unite, she delivered a $5 million multi-venue event, and her leadership of Union Summer transformed Toronto’s Union Station into a vibrant cultural destination. Known for her collaborative approach, Jennifer specializes in creative ideation, technical execution, and team motivation. She holds a Certificate in Entertainment Law and is a recognized leader in the field of live event production.

Viviana Tellas

Viviana Tellas is a renowned theater director, researcher, and curator from Argentina, celebrated as the creator of biodrama, a groundbreaking genre of documentary theater. Her work explores documentary theater, Latin American poetry, and biographies, culminating in her publication Biodrama, Proyecto Archivos. Seis documentales escénicos (2017). Awarded the Belknap Fellowship by Princeton University’s Humanities Council in 2014, Vivi’s current research delves into the theatricality of the life and work of Argentine poet Alejandra Pizarnik. She is widely recognized for her innovative contributions to contemporary theater and cultural research.

About the Host

Julia Middleton

Julia Middleton is the host of the Women Emerging podcast and a best-selling author of “If that’s leading, I’m in” as well as two previous books: “Leading beyond Authority” and “Cultural Intelligence”. She is deeply committed to helping people from all backgrounds to find their own approach to leading.

In 2020, Julia launched Women Emerging and in 2022 she lead an expedition of 24 women to find ‘an approach to leading that resonates with women’. She now leads expeditions with women all over the world based on 4Es methodology, discovered in the first expedition.

Prior to that, Julia was founder and, for over thirty years, Chief Executive of Common Purpose, which grew to become one of the biggest leadership development organisations in the world.
Julia is also an Ambassador for the Aurora Prize based in Armenia, on the boards of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy in the Arab World and Equality Now which operates globally, and on the Advisory Councils of Fundacao Dom Cabral in Brazil and Synapse in Pakistan.

Born in London and brought up in New York, Julia was educated at French Lycées and graduated from the London School of Economics. She is married, with five children and lots of grandchildren.