In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, host Luna Lu speaks with Bad Press co-directors Rebecca Lansberry-Baker and Joe Peeler, alongside journalist and film subject Angel Ellis, about the making of their Sundance 2023 award-winning documentary. The conversation explores how the team came together, the ethical and creative challenges of documenting press censorship within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and the tension between tribal sovereignty and press freedom. Through Angel Ellis’s experience as a journalist turned whistleblower, the episode highlights the vital role of independent Indigenous media, transparency, and civic participation, while also reflecting on trust, community-based storytelling, and the power of individuals to effect democratic change.
Eric Theise is a geospatial engineer, filmmaker, and performance artist. On September 5, 2025, he shared “A Synesthete’s Atlas” Performing Cartography, in an artist talk at the Frank-Ratchye Studio for Creative Inquiry at the College of Fine Arts. The following is a joint effort by Nate Xiang, who attended the artist talk, and an interview with Eric afterwards.
In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Samantha Childers explores why so many songs recommended by streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music sound strikingly similar. She breaks down the inner workings of music streaming algorithms—how metadata, collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and continuous feedback loops collectively shape the “perfect playlist.” Childers also examines Spotify features such as Discover Weekly and Discovery Mode, uncovering how these tools influence music discovery, artist visibility, and even compositional trends as musicians increasingly write with algorithms in mind. Alongside these technical insights, she raises critical ethical questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, pay-to-play practices, and the shrinking role of human curation. Ultimately, the episode invites listeners to rethink how algorithm-driven platforms shape not only what we hear but also how we discover, value, and experience music.
In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Andrew Wolverton and Zachary Collins explore how arts-focused technology can transform nonprofit ticketing and operations, tracing Ludus’s journey from a side project for a single high school musical to a nationwide platform serving more than 4,000 organizations. Collins explains how Ludus was built from the ground up around the real needs of drama teachers and community theaters, growing into an end-to-end system for ticketing, fundraising, marketing, volunteers, and concessions—while staying anchored in a people-first culture summed up by the company’s core value, “Give a Shit.” He reflects on navigating the COVID-19 shutdown through livestreaming and social-distancing tools, choosing the right growth equity partner, and why he believes AI shouldn’t replace arts workers but instead act as a “superpower” that frees them to focus on human-centered work and shared live experiences.
In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Alexann Sharp and Cara Flannery sit down with four-time Emmy-winning innovator Michael Cioni to unpack how technology and creativity converge in modern media workflows. Cioni introduces Strada, a peer-to-peer platform designed to enable remote collaboration without cloud storage, and shares career lessons on building networks through industry events (NAB, Cine Gear, IBC) and assembling complementary teams (“Swiss-cheese” collaboration). He distinguishes generative vs. utilitarian AI, predicts a shakeout and rebound for GenAI, and outlines his Skills Gap Principle and “Technative” mindset for balancing creative and technical strengths. The conversation closes with candid advice on taking smarter risks and betting on yourself.
AMT Lab Editor Stewart Urist sat down with the Executive Director of Washington National Opera, Michael Mael, for a wide ranging discussion about his career and the opportunities technology brings to the arts.
In the second part of her interview, Sarah Ellis, the Digital Producer of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), expands upon the intricacies of introducing both audiences and actors into the world of a digital play. ‘Midsummer’s Nights Dreaming’ was an innovative digital experiment which explored storytelling and audience engagement online using social media.
Click here to read the interview.
In the second part of her interview, Sarah Ellis, the Digital Producer of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), expands upon the intricacies of introducing both audiences and actors into the world of a digital play. ‘Midsummer’s Nights Dreaming’ was an innovative digital experiment which explored storytelling and audience engagement online using social media.
In the first part of her interview, Sarah Ellis, the Digital Producer of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), discusses the inspiration, preparation, and implementation of Midsummer Night’s Dreaming, a rendition of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream hosted largely online, in real-time over the course of 3 days. Ms. Ellis sits down with AMT Lab's Kristen Sorek West to discuss how, together with Google’s Creative Lab, the RSC brought to life over 50 characters using social media profiles, characterized content, and real-time conversations with audiences.
To read Part I of the interview click here.
In the first part of her interview, Sarah Ellis, the Digital Producer of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), discusses the inspiration, preparation, and implementation of Midsummer Night’s Dreaming, a rendition of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream hosted largely online, in real-time over the course of 3 days. Ms. Ellis sits down with AMT Lab's Kristen Sorek West to discuss how, together with Google’s Creative Lab, the RSC brought to life over 50 characters using numerous social media profiles, characterized content, and real-time conversations with audiences.
Undervolt and Co's Co-founder and Curator Johnny Woods, along with artists Jennifer Juniper Stratford, Birch Cooper, and Brenna Murphy, sat down with AMT Lab Editor Stewart Urist for an interview exploring the challenges and goals of this young organization.
Branding itself as a, "label for experimental video artists," the work of Undervolt's artists spans a mind boggling range of artistic styles, ranging from psychedelic computer generated dreamscapes, to "mutant" television shows, to sculptural synthesizers blending light and sound. Check out the full interview here.
Undervolt and Co's Co-founder and Curator Johnny Woods, along with artists Jennifer Juniper Stratford, Birch Cooper, and Brenna Murphy, sat down with AMT Lab Editor Stewart Urist, for an interview exploring the challenges and goals of this young organization.
Branding itself as a, "label for experimental video artists," the work of Undervolt's artists spans a mind boggling range of artistic styles, ranging from psychedelic computer generated dreamscapes, to "mutant" television shows, to sculptural synthesizers blending light and sound.
AMT Lab Correspondent Jackie Shimshoni sat down with Kylie Peppler to discuss her research on e-textiles and interactive learning environments. This interview is the last part of a 3-part podcast series of interviews with individuals making contributions to the field of integrated arts and tech.
Listen to it by clicking here.
