On this week’s episode of Women Speak — a segment on Northeast Newscast — hosts Northeast News Editor-in-Chief, Julia Williams and former Missouri House Representative for District 19 Ingrid Burnett sat down with The Arts Asylum Executive Director and Paseo West Neighborhood Association President Evie Craig to continue our series on women in education.
Throughout this episode, Craig delves into her background including her journey of how she got to where she is today. She discusses her upbringing in Indiana and her initial involvement in theatre programs there, which is where her passion for the arts originally began. She goes on to mention her experience as a performer including her most recent — and last — performance in May, which she shared was her first time on stage in nearly 47 years. She additionally provides advice for students interested in pursuing degrees and careers in arts as well as shares those who have inspired her along the way.
Williams shares a brief history and statistics of women involved in various theater roles from the 1960s up to the present in the U.S., including how these numbers have shifted over the years. Craig discusses partnerships The Arts Asylum has acquired including one with Starlight Theatre and with South Kansas City Performing Arts Academy to develop tech theater education for youth. She additionally shares how Missouri film tax credits have contributed to young women’s involvement in Kansas City theater. Burnett and Williams go on to discuss women who pioneered early theater production and the theater industry including the first female playwright, the first female actress and two women in the U.S. who worked to tell their story and shift the narrative for future generations. Craig goes on to discuss ways for Kansas Citians to get involved with theater production on a local level through The Arts Asylum as well as additional opportunities throughout the metro. In this section, Craig also discusses federal funding, which various art programs across the country lost this year including The Arts Asylum’s “Our Town Grant.”
Music used within this Women Speak episode is a song called “I Wish I Knew You Then” by Kansas City local artist Honeybee and the group’s lead female vocalist, Makayla Scott. “I Wish I Knew You Then” is a recent single, which Honeybee released in March 2025.
Honeybee’s latest single “Lindenlure,” was released on May 30 and is now available on its streaming platforms. 2025 singles “I Wish I Knew You Then,” “Charmed Life” and “Lindenlure” as well as additional Honeybee tracks are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, TIDAL and Youtube Music.
*Disclaimer* I Wish I Knew You Then and any previous or future Honeybee songs used by The Northeast News within the Women Speak podcasts are courtesy of and approved by Makayla Scott and Honeybee under proper copyright law. Honeybee songs are not royalty-free nor subject to free use and should not be used by additional publications or organizations without proper consent.
This podcast as well as all Women Speak episodes are made possible by The Northeast News, Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Independence Avenue Community Improvement District.
*Disclaimer: Ingrid Burnett is a board member for Historic Northeast Media, Inc*