From left: Mackey Smith-Simons, Jack Noseworthy, Joe Petrowski, Karlye Whitt, Emily Gaffga, and Minji Kim.
In March, the Performing Arts Administration (PAA) Graduate Program at NYU Steinhardt welcomed students and alumni to Kimball Hall for Harnessing the Alchemy of Multihyphenate Careers in the Arts—an evening focused on what it takes to build a sustainable “both/and” life in the field. Through candid storytelling and practical advice, the panel highlighted how multihyphenate professionals refine their career “mix” over time, blending creative practice and arts leadership in ways that support both meaning and longevity.
Featured Alumni Panelists:
✨ Jack Noseworthy (’23) — Actor Turned Producer and Non-Profit Fundraiser
✨ Joe Petrowski (’20) — Director of Ticketing by Day & Lighting Designer by Night
✨ Karlye Whitt (’25) — Opera Singer Turned Salonièrre and Editor-in-Chief
Moderated by current PAA students and graduate assistants Emily Gaffga (’27) and Mackey Smith-Simons (’27), the conversation moved from big-picture identity to practical, day-to-day strategies. Panelists reflected on what they’ve released, what they’ve newly embraced, and how they stay organized, manage time, and protect their energy while balancing multiple roles. They also shared concrete examples of how skills developed as artists translate directly into administrative, leadership, and independent work.
The evening continued with audience Q&A and concluded with informal networking, giving attendees time to connect more freely with the speakers and with one another. For current students, it was an opportunity to gain real-world perspective, language, and tools for navigating multihyphenate careers, while strengthening relationships across the PAA community.
The program extends sincere thanks to our alumni panelists for sharing their candid and inspiring career journeys, and to our student moderators for expertly guiding the conversation and helping bring the event to life.