On April 18, 2025, students from NYU’s Performing Arts Administration (PAA) graduate program took part in an exclusive visit to the Majestic Theatre. As part of the ongoing "Backstage Pass" series, the visit offered students a rare opportunity to explore one of New York’s most iconic theaters and learn directly from professionals working within The Shubert Organization.
The Majestic Theatre, one of the 17 Broadway theaters owned and operated by The Shubert Organization, served as the setting for a rich afternoon of conversation, exploration, and professional insight. During the visit, students were guided through the space by Kieran McGee, Project Manager, who led an in-depth tour of the building. Michael Coco, General Manager of Theatre Operations, Klancy Maples (PAA ’20), Marketing Operations Manager, and Eric Schwartz (PAA ’12), Vice President of Ticketing, accompanied the tour sharing their insights and answering questions throughout the walk-through.
From structural updates to technology enhancements, students gained a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in modernizing a historic Broadway house while maintaining its architectural legacy. The group explored everything from the theater’s technical infrastructure to its public spaces, discussing how the Majestic balances preservation with the demands of modern productions. Students even got to step on stage and capture a few photos of their own Broadway moment!
After the tour, students sat down for a panel discussion with the four Shubert representatives. Each speaker delved into their specific role within The Shubert Organization, sharing their career journeys and how they contribute to the day-to-day and long-term operations of the organization’s large ecosystem of Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters. From marketing campaigns and working with Broadway producers to project planning and ticketing models, the conversation offered students an in-depth understanding of the many moving pieces behind the curtain.
Current student Leona Koo (PAA ‘26), was inspired by the visit and shared,
“As someone whose goal is to work in commercial theatre, this site visit was a perfect opportunity to build a network in the professional world and gain firsthand insight into how Broadway theatres are operated and managed. Hearing from professionals currently working at the Shubert Organization about how they started their careers and what experiences helped them was incredibly helpful as I think about planning my own career. Most of all, standing on a Broadway stage and being able to explore the backstage area in detail created unforgettable memories.”
The event provided a rare opportunity to hear directly from seasoned professionals and left students inspired and better equipped to navigate their own careers in arts administration. Experiences like these continue to exemplify the PAA program’s mission to blend classroom learning with real-world experience.
This article was written by Grace Palmer, a graduate assistant and student in the Performing Arts Administration graduate program.