Art & Soul Consulting

We Build Bridges & Brave Creative Spaces

What We Do

We're Creative Culture Architects.

At Art & Soul Consulting, we design Brave Creative Spaces — cultures where bold creativity and big ideas can thrive without burning people out. 

We do this through our signature STAGES™ Framework, a proven 6-step system for building spaces that are psychologically safe and sustainable.

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    Brave Creative Space Design

    Bring us into your rehearsal rooms, boardrooms, or workplaces. Our consulting and facilitation services help you design spaces where people thrive and bold ideas can land.

    ✨ Includes our corporate program: Creative Edge — Powered by STAGES™.

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    Courses & Membership

    Learn how to apply Brave Creative Space Design in your own practice.


    From digital courses to The Green Room (coming soon!), you’ll get tools, frameworks, and support to lead with confidence and care.

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    Inclusive STAGES Residency

    Our 3-day immersive training brings arts leaders together to experience the STAGES™ Framework in action.


    It’s our deepest dive into creating cultures of trust, inclusion, and sustainable creativity.

Who We Are

Allow us to introduce the team behind Art & Soul! We pour our hearts into designing exceptional support just for you.

  • Kira Troilo, a mixed race smiling woman in a pink blazer
    Kira Troilo
    Founder & CEO

    Kira Troilo (she/her) is the visionary behind Art & Soul Consulting and the mastermind behind the STAGES™ framework, a nationally acclaimed method for crafting inclusive and inspiring creative spaces in theater and the arts. She excels in designing rehearsal environments centered around people and optimizing operations to prevent burnout and empower arts leaders.

    Kira's exceptional work has earned her the SpeakEasy Stage Company Community Impact Award and recognition in American Theatre Magazine. She has collaborated with esteemed institutions like the Stratford Festival, Boston Lyric Opera, Goodspeed Musicals, and The Umbrella Arts Center.

    Armed with a BFA from Emerson College and an HR Essentials certificate from eCornell, Kira seamlessly blends artistic creativity with leadership and organizational prowess. Residing in Boston with her husband and two sons, she is on a mission to guide arts organizations towards clarity, compassion, and longevity.

  • Ari Welch, a smiling mixed race woman in a black blazer and green blouse
    Ari Welch
    Director of Operations

    Ari Welch (she/her) is a versatile talent based in Boston, juggling multiple roles as a top-tier operations leader with over a decade of experience, an EDI consultant, event organizer, producer, and stage manager. She has trained under Kira Troilo since 2023 in the specialized field of EDI consulting for the arts and is now a certified Inclusive STAGES™ consultant. 

    Ari has excelled as both an inclusion consultant and the Programs & Special Events coordinator for Inclusive STAGES™ — providing support in communication and logistics for trainees. 

    Ari boasts a rich theater background (including collaborations with SpeakEasy Stage Company and Company One) and extensive experience in creating immersive events. She plays a pivotal role in the producing team at Weston Drama Workshop, a prominent youth educational theater program. Ari holds a BFA from the Theater School at DePaul University in Chicago.

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Our Values

Compassion | Curiosity | Connection

Our Mission

Art & Soul Consulting designs brave, compassionate spaces, rooted in the power of theater, that help creatives and organizations everywhere nurture psychological safety, trust, and sustainable creativity.

Our Vision

We envision a world where barriers between people dissolve; a bridge connecting artists, audiences, businesses, and communities. A world where open, honest conversations lead to deeper understanding, stronger connections, and shared creativity. By fostering resilience and kindness, we help build spaces where bold, transformative art is possible, and where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

The STAGES Framework™

A simple, repeatable system for building brave creative spaces.

STAGES is the operating system we use at Art & Soul to help leaders, teams, and whole organizations move from reactive and exhausted to confident and care-aligned. Whether you’re directing a show, guiding a classroom, or leading a company, the framework adapts to your setting.

By walking through 6 key stages, we reduce friction, unlock creative bandwidth, and build the kind of trust where bold art & brave ideas thrive.

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    SET THE SCENE

    Establish the values, mission, and context that shape the work.

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    TAILOR

    Design a process and culture that fit your people and project.

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    AUDITION/APPOINT

    Choose collaborators and leaders with both skill and care in mind.

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    GATHER

    Build connection and trust so everyone feels safe to contribute.

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    EMPOWER

    Support resilience, feedback, and brave risk-taking.

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    STRIKE

    Close with intention, capture lessons, and clear space for what’s next.

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Who We've Supported

  • Goodspeed Musicals
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  • Wheelock Family Theater
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  • Walnut Hill School for the Arts
  • SpeakEasy Stage Company
  • Commonwealth Shakespeare company
  • Central Square Theatre
  • NEMPAC
  • theatresquared
  • Greater Boston Stage Company
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  • Harvard University TDM

What People Say About Us

Kira is a fantastic Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) consultant! I had the pleasure of working with her on one of my last shows, Summer Stock, that we are working on bringing to Broadway for 2025. I had never worked with an EDI consultant before and I don’t think I could ever go back to not having one on a show!

Corbin Bleu, Actor & Singer

It was a joy to work with Kira as we developed a new musical. She led a warm, yet frank and open process which allowed our creative team and cast to challenge one another in a brave environment.  The work was positively impacted for all time by her presence on the project.

Donna Lynn Hilton, Artistic Director, Goodspeed Musicals

Art & Soul Consulting demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and facilitating meaningful conversations. Kira's insights were not only thought-provoking but also actionable, providing tangible strategies for us to implement positive changes in our daily practices.

Sherri Snow, Executive Director, North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC)

Just finished Session 1 of the Inclusive STAGES program, and I already feel lighter, clearer, and more supported as a leader. This is exactly what the arts need right now.

Emily Garven, Teacher & Cohort Member

Kira’s work at the Irish Classical Theatre Company was transformative for our collaborators. She was a stabilizing presence in our rehearsal process, and an invaluable resource for both the administration and creative teams. Kira helped our team navigate difficult material, and guided us in creating and upholding an intentional, collaborative, healthy, brave and human-centered creative space.

Keelie Sheridan, Artistic Director, Irish Classical Theater Company

Kira provided our department, students, and faculty with the necessary tools for positive, productive, meaningful change during a particularly challenging time. Her skill in creating a safe environment for all stakeholders allowed for healthy conversation and discourse, thereby building trust and a progressive cultural climate. Her resources and connections to the professional arts industry made long lasting impressions and provided perspective for our students beyond the walls of their school.

Steve Black, K-12 Director of Visual & Performing Arts, Melrose Public Schools

I’ve maybe never met a collaborator who embodies both rigor and care the way Kira does. She makes space for truth and creativity to coexist.

Zi Alikhan, Director, The Band’s Visit (TheatreSquared)

I felt seen, supported, and empowered in ways I’ve never experienced in a rehearsal room before. Art & Soul doesn’t just consult — they change culture.

Anthony Pires Jr., Actor & Singer

How To Reach Us

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