MFA: Party Culture Research
Inspired by producing events and festivals, Malena pursued an MFA in Theatre (Arts Entrepreneurship & Management) to better understand the social and economic impacts of party culture across the United States. Through her research, she gained an interest in how governance and policy affect local artists and independent venues.
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![Armageddon Beach Party, Detroit]()
Armageddon Beach Party, Detroit
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![Kae Burke, House of Yes, New York]()
Kae Burke, House of Yes, New York
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The Party Pro Toolkit was developed as an applied research project that culminated in a 9-episode podcast series featuring interviews with Party Professionals in New York, Detroit and Phoenix. The purpose of the interviews was to gain individual perspectives on the “what, why and how of party culture.”
The professionals interviewed work in art, music, production, promotion, advocacy and venue management. Highlight interviews include Ariel Palitz, Executive Director of Nightlife and Entertainment for the City of New York; John Dunivant, founder of Theatre Bizarre in Detroit; and Kirk Strawn, founder of the Walter Project in Phoenix.
Podcast interviews were paired with ethnographic study through participation in relevant events, gaining firsthand experience and original content from each city. Innovative projects and approaches are discussed in the podcasts and shared as representations of community-led party culture, identifying patterns and challenges with the intent to share solutions. Every city has a unique identity, history and creative culture, allowing for unique problem solving and innovation to take place related to community events and nightlife experiences.
Research Questions:
• How can we create more positive social impacts through party culture?
• How can we develop safer, more inclusive and sustainable events?
Research Goals:
• Collect original photos and videos to document event experiences
• Interview key party professionals in each target city
• Compare the lessons, identity, scenes and communities in the target cities
Positive social impacts identified for participants of community-led party culture include:
• Creative collaboration
• Inclusion of all art forms and disciplines
• Connecting people with diverse backgrounds and identities
• Developing and executing a project plan
• Socializing and networking
• Community-based project development
• Skill sharing and mentorship
• Problem-solving and conflict navigation
• Creative self expression
• Consent and boundary communication
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Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Arizona State UniversityMasters Certificate:
Nonprofit Leadership & ManagementApplied Project:
Party Pro Toolkit PodcastApplied Project Committee:
Rachel Bowditch, Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), Dean Steven TepperProspectus:
Production Stage Manager for Conference of the BirdsInternships:
Grantwriting with Consultant Claire West
Well Dunn Foundation production internship through Live Nation and SuperFly Presents.Service:
Graduate Professional Student Association (GPSA) Assistant Director of External Affairs (national advocacy initiatives) -
The three-year MFA Theatre concentration in Arts Entrepreneurship and Management (AEM) teaches the skills of arts entrepreneurship, arts management, and arts marketing within the context of the MFA Theatre degree, also grounding the student in theories of performance, community‐based arts, and theatre history and literature. Thus, students develop a holistic understanding of the role of arts managers as enablers of art‐making. Students in the AEM concentration concurrently pursue the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (NLM), through which students gain a breath of knowledge in nonprofit studies, including finance and HR management.