Meet Julie Boardman

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Boardman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I consider myself to be a bit disruptive, that is, dreaming up the things I wish existed…and then creating them. My parents are both entrepreneurs and my grandfather was an aerospace engineer & inventor (..who made it possible to land on the moon..) – I think being raised with that sort of spirit instilled the belief in me that if I want to make something happen, I need to step up and make it happen. My grandmother would always say, “If it was easy everyone would have done it.” It’s a good reminder when things get tough. The Museum of Broadway has really helped me hone my work ethic, since I am so passionate about curating and growing this space dedicated to Broadway which New York, and the world, has never had before.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

When my friend and now co-founder, Diane Nicoletti, and I realized that there wasn’t a permanent museum dedicated to Broadway’s groundbreaking history and shows, we felt two things: surprise and empowerment. Growing up such a fan of Broadway, it was surprising that this didn’t exist in New York, when Broadway is such a huge part of New York City’s history and culture, let alone anywhere else in the world. It was a bit of a hidden obvious. One incredible one-of-a-kind art installation and immersive experience at a time, we worked to build what The Museum of Broadway is today – to honor all the work that goes into a production, both on and off the stage, while cementing Broadway’s place in American and world history. We are both producers and artistic visionaries at heart but combining my in-depth Broadway-insider knowledge with Diane’s experiential production know-how, paired with our determination, drive and collective event experience, proved to be the perfect pairing for success.

Most recently, The Museum of Broadway opened its newest seasonal special exhibit: Moulin Rouge! The Musical: Spectacular, Spectacular in partnership with Chase Freedom. The exhibit invites fans to step into the world of Belle Époque Paris and experience the extravagance of the hit show. Museum-goers will enjoy the glitz, grandeur, and glory of Moulin Rouge! The Musical’s award-winning costumes and set installations, with unique immersive experiences including sitting on Satine’s luxe chaise lounge and engaging with an interactive heart-themed wall where fans can leave their personal mark. This exhibit is a one-of-its-kind opportunity to be immersed in the glamour and romance of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Separately from The Museum of Broadway, I continue to produce Broadway shows and am an active member of the Broadway community. I am currently a Co-Producer on the Tony Award®-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, I’m part of many shows this season (“Oh, Mary!”, Romeo+Juliet, Sunset Boulevard, Smash and Buena Vista Social Club), and am developing new work through my company Untitled Theatricals.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

My drive, passion, and curiosity have had such a profound impact on my journey. Without these things, The Museum of Broadway would not be where it is today. I have always been passionate about the arts and arts advocacy, which was and is such a huge factor in motivating me to create The Museum of Broadway. Without drive, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome the obstacles that creating a business (in NYC as its arts and economy still recover from the pandemic) threw my way! My curiosity fuels so much of what I do – I always want to ask, “how can I make this better?” or “what else can we do?” It is because of these three things that Diane and I have been able to build such a strong team at The Museum of Broadway.

For folks early on in their careers, I would advise you to ask a lot of questions and say yes when opportunities come your way. Also be sure to follow through when you make a commitment. That is the best way to learn and grow your network. Also, there is a place for you in the arts! There are so many career opportunities for all types of people in this business (we even created an entire exhibit with Tony Award®-winning designer David Rockwell that dives into these jobs and the process of creating a show!).

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

We celebrated our 1.5-year anniversary this spring (!) and I am so proud of the growth of our industry and special event programming, always-evolving collections and expert curation – but also of our team that is the beating heart of a museum that hosts thousands of visitors from all over the world seven days a week. We are making use of the space (26,000 square feet!) in new, exciting ways – hosting cast/creative panel discussions to pop-up performances open to the public while hosting journalists and talent as a backdrop for their interviews and photoshoots – it has been wonderful to see guests experience the breadth of the exhibits and offerings, as well as experiencing the Museum of Broadway being woven into the fabric of the Broadway tapestry. Our network of theatre enthusiasts and professionals continues to expand across the city and the country. We are constantly adding new costumes, artifacts, props, and more. It is amazing to work with the talented team at the Museum to grow this special place every day, and I look forward to continuing to do so even more over the next 12 months and beyond.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Solo: David Troncoso

Exterior: Credit Emilio Madrid
Phantom: Credit Monique Carboni
Jukebox: Credit Darren Cox
Moulin Rouge: Credit David Troncoso
Hamilton: Credit Darren Cox
Museum Co-Founders Julie Boardman and Diane Nicoletti: Credit David Troncoso

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