Washington, D.C. – The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is expanding its highly regarded Miranda Family Fellowship program with the addition of a success coach, a new role designed to accelerate the professional development of the fourth cohort of fellows. Taking on this pioneering position is Howard University’s own, Theatre Arts Administration Professor Pat Parks from the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. 

The Miranda Family Fellowship (MFF), which has been integral to Woolly Mammoth’s mission to foster new talent, has had a longstanding relationship with Howard University. Woolly Mammoth has previously hosted Howard students through internships across various departments, creating a valuable pipeline for future arts leaders. Kimberly Douglas, Woolly Mammoth’s Managing Director and Howard alum, expressed pride in the collaboration, saying, "As an alum of Howard’s College of Fine Arts, I’m thrilled to see this next chapter in our relationship. This is an incredible opportunity for Howard students to gain real-world exposure to the professional arts community."

With a career that includes high-profile initiatives like the Broccoli City Festival and the Country Music Television (CMT) Equal Access Program and collaborations with major entertainment agencies, Professor Parks brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Their unique background, which includes stints as a CIA profiler and leadership analyst, positions them as a key figure in shaping the future of underrepresented talent in the arts. Professor Parks will usher in the next cohort of theater hopefuls over the next two years to provide personalized career coaching and leadership training. The program is part of Woolly Mammoth’s continued commitment to advancing underrepresented talent in the arts industry.

Howard University is known for churning out theatrical talent such as Anthony Anderson, and Taraji P. Henson, therefore, the new success coach role Professor Parks holds will be heavily influenced by the Howard’s ‘Dream Factory’.  Professor Parks has developed a custom curriculum that will involve tailored coaching informed by a comprehensive analysis of each fellow’s skillset. This bespoke approach focuses on identifying any gaps in their skills and helping them fill those gaps, so they’re fully ready for leadership roles in both the theatre world and the entertainment industry. 

Kristen Jackson, Associate Artistic Director and Director of Connectivity at Woolly Mammoth, expressed excitement about the partnership with Professor Parks, calling it a vital step in deepening the program’s impact. "We’ve been discussing this opportunity for over a year now, and we’re thrilled to have Professor Parks join us as a Success Coach," Jackson said. "This will be a game-changer for the Fellows, offering them unparalleled professional development and leadership training that will have a lasting effect on their careers."

"Through one-on-one interviews with the fellows’ supervisors, I’ve been able to gain unique insights into each fellow’s development needs, and this will shape the tailored coaching they’ll receive," Parks explained. "It’s a holistic approach that will not only address their current professional skills but also help them plan for their careers after the fellowship."

Parks added, "This collaboration is about strengthening our connection and maximizing the impact of our efforts. Howard students will continue to learn from the leadership and innovation at Woolly, while the Miranda Family Fellows will benefit from my experience in talent development and my passion for shaping the next wave of theatre and entertainment leaders."

Parks, whose work spans theatre management, talent development, and business leadership, has a personal mission to help young professionals reach their full potential. "Woolly Mammoth shares that mission," they said. "Together, we will enhance the transformative power of the Miranda Family Fellowship and create a model for early career development that other institutions in the arts and entertainment fields will want to replicate."

The partnership between Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Professor Pat Parks promises to be a transformative one, equipping the next generation of theatre leaders with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the stage.