Building Our Own Tables Podcast — Season 5

Building Our Own Tables came back for a fifth season. Hosted by LiberArte's CEO Yura Sapi and produced by HowlRound Theatre Commons, the show centers Black, Indigenous, and People of Color theatre founders, their leadership, journeys, and stories. It is a tribute to those who create their own tables — tables of healing, joy, and collective liberation.

This season featured special guests alongside Yura's own story and wisdom as a Latinx multidisciplinary artist, CEO of a successful arts nonprofit, and a pregnant person at the time of recording.

Forty episodes from past seasons are already waiting for you, with transcripts available on HowlRound. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Wrapping Up Season Five

Queens, New York — November 2nd, 2025 — LiberArte Inc., in partnership with HowlRound Theatre Commons, wrapped up season five of Building Our Own Tables, an exciting season of eleven cultural leaders, visionaries, and talented theatre professionals.

Interviewed by LiberArte CEO, producer, theatre professional, and host, Yura Sapi, our guests of the season were Aganza Kisaka of Yenze Theatre Conservatoire, Sona Tatoyan of Hakawati NGO, Elisa Bocanegra of HERO Theatre, Gabi Sanchez and Erlina Ortiz of Power Street Theatre, Chels Morgan of Intimacy by Chels Morgan, Ron Himes of The Black Rep, Theresa Chavez of About...Productions, R. Réal Vargas Alanis of In The Margin, Nadia Garzón of Descolonizarte Teatro, and Alexandra Meda of Culture Change Lab. In ten episodes, listeners enjoyed our guests’ journeys of building their own legacies through community, partnership, hope, and a sense of urgency that what they were contributing to the world was unique and vital. They are visionaries in the theatre world, and through their wisdom, listeners were left with many gems and the idea that every route looks different, but it all leads back to loving the work one does and believing in it with all one’s might.

Their work is inspiring, and through our marketing plan, we were able to gain 20,000+ views in a little over two months, sharing their knowledge with theatre lovers, goers, other founders, and anyone with an interest in the arts. LiberArte's and HowlRound's marketing teams worked hard on maintaining social media accounts, posting daily and emailing about episodes weekly, which greatly contributed to our reach.

Working with video editor, Jasmine Wilks, was worthwhile. Through her expertise, LiberArte crafted meaningful video and audio episodes that were as visually appealing as they also sound. Through incorporated B-roll and graphics, we were able to work together to create videos authentically and true to the essence of what the guests shared and our host, Yura Sapi, asked and shared of their own experiences. Jasmine is a talented individual, and without her hard work, this season would not have been possible.

Episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and HowlRound Theatre Commons transcripts.

Thank you to our LiberArte marketing and production team, Valentina Gutierrez, Yara Aly, Tobi Miracle, Martin Mungai, and Brianna Nicole; thank you to the HowlRound Theatre Commons team, Vijay Mathew, Ramona Rose King, Ashley Malafronte, Lauren Shoemaker, and Yaşam Gülseven; and thank you to our eleven talented, incredible guests.

Season Five Episodes

Episode 1 — Consistent Craft with Aganza Kisaka (August 26, 2025): Aganza Kisaka, founder of Yenze Theatre Conservatoire, discusses being an entrepreneur, a teacher, and an artist in Uganda. She reflects on consistency as key and celebrating the little wins.

Episode 2 — Storytelling Alchemy with Sona Tatoyan (September 2, 2025): Hakawati founder Sona Tatoyan tells the story of her great-great-grandfather growing up during the Armenian genocide, her summers spent in Aleppo, and how art is an inheritance.

Episode 3 — Hope as a Vehicle for Creation with Elisa Bocanegra (September 9, 2025): HERO Theatre founder Elisa Bocanegra reflects on mentor-mentee relationships, becoming an ancestor, and healing through the arts.

Episode 4 — Reclaiming Power in Community with Gabi Sanchez and Erlina Ortiz (September 16, 2025): The co-founders share their journeys of co-founding Power Street Theatre and creating a multicultural, community-centered theatre company in Philadelphia.

Episode 5 — Reframing Accessibility in Intimacy Coordination with Chels Morgan (September 23, 2025): Chels Morgan, founder of Intimacy by Chels Morgan, speaks on accessibility within theatre spaces for neuroexpansive and disabled folks and the importance of intimacy movement education.

Episode 6 — Committing to Black Experiences in Theatre with Ron Himes (September 30, 2025): Founder of the Black Rep, Ron Himes, was an arts patron as a young man turned theatre founder. The Black Rep's evolution is rooted in resourcefulness and an investment in young people.

Episode 7 — The Art of Optimism with Theresa Chavez (October 7, 2025): The founder of About...Productions highlights the role of the arts in enlightening and moving people and centers equity in her theatre work and youth education.

Episode 8 — Embodying a Multidisciplinary Approach with R. Réal Vargas Alanis (October 14, 2025): The founder of In The Margin discusses the mentorship programs and residencies they offer as a multidisciplinary nonprofit and how they pivot with the seasons of life.

Episode 9 — Applying a Decolonial Theatre Practice with Nadia Garzón (October 21, 2025): The founder and executive director of Descolonizarte Teatro in Orlando, Florida, prioritizes a decolonial arts practice by uplifting Latinx, queer, and immigrant voices.

Episode 10 — Architecting Organizational Change with Alexandra Meda (October 28, 2025): Alexandra Meda, founder of Culture Change Lab, discusses mediation and facilitation at predominantly white organizations and championing change work on the professional and individual levels.