Together, We Win: Howard Alumna Noelle Jordan Brings Women in Live Production to the Forefront
By Chad Eric Smith, Director of Marketing and Communications, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
On Tuesday, March 24 at 4 p.m., the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts will host Together, We Win: Women in Live Production Panel in the Recital Hall as part of Fine Arts Week 2026.
The event brings together a dynamic group of women working behind the scenes in live entertainment, offering students a rare opportunity to hear directly from professionals shaping the sound, lighting, design, and production of concerts and live events around the world.
But beyond the panel itself, the event reflects a broader intention: to create visibility and access in an area of the industry where both are often limited.
Creating Space Where It Doesn’t Yet Exist
The panel is the vision of Howard alumna Noelle Jordan, a lighting director and production manager whose career spans global touring and live event production.
After beginning her training in theatre, Jordan transitioned into live entertainment, where she quickly recognized both the opportunities and the gaps.
Much of her professional development, she notes, was self-directed—an experience that informed her desire to build something different for the next generation.
Together, We Win was created to center the voices of Black women and women of color working behind the scenes in live production, a space where their contributions are essential but often underrepresented.
Hosting the panel at Howard carries added meaning.
“This is where I was raised,” Jordan shared, reflecting on her decision to launch the initiative at her alma mater.
A Cross-Generational Conversation
The panel features a range of voices across disciplines and career stages, including lighting design, sound engineering, production design, touring, and mental health advocacy.
Among them is Kathy Perkins, a veteran lighting designer and educator whose career spans decades and whose mentorship has influenced many in the field, including Jordan herself. Her presence alongside younger professionals creates a cross-generational dialogue that highlights both continuity and evolution within the industry.
Other panelists bring experience across theatre, concert touring, brand campaigns, and live event production, offering students a multifaceted view of what a career in live entertainment can look like.
The conversation will be moderated by alumna Chéla McIntyre, whose work in music business and performance adds another layer of perspective to the discussion.
More Than a Panel
While the March 24 event will feature a 60–70 minute panel followed by a live Q&A, it also represents a first step in a larger vision.
Jordan’s broader concept for Together, We Win includes future workshops and expanded programming designed to provide practical tools, mentorship, and sustained engagement for those interested in entering the field.
In this way, the upcoming panel serves as both an introduction and a foundation—an opportunity to begin building a more visible and connected community within live production.
Centering Sustainability and Care
In addition to technical and creative insight, the panel will also address the realities of working in live entertainment, including the physical and mental demands of the industry.
By including perspectives rooted in mental health and well-being, the conversation acknowledges a critical dimension of the work—what it takes not only to enter the field, but to sustain a long and healthy career within it.
Alumni Impact in Action
Together, We Win also reflects a broader commitment within the College to highlight and support alumni who are actively shaping their industries and creating pathways for others.
Through initiatives like this, CABCoFA continues to serve not only as a place of training, but as a lasting community—one where alumni return to share knowledge, build networks, and invest in the next generation of artists and professionals.
Event Details
Together, We Win: Women in Live Production Panel
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Recital Hall, 3rd Floor
Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
Howard University
Free and open to students. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
