StageStruck! VI: Women and the American Musical is a free (yes, you heard that right!) three-day conference celebrating the powerful involvement and enduring achievements of women in American musicals — both on stage and on screen. Created by Dominic Broomfield-McHugh, this vibrant event was scheduled to take place from May 14 to 16, 2025, at The Library of Congress, located in the James Madison Memorial Building’s West Dining Room and Mumford Room, at 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
The first day of the conference highlighted the contributions of historic women in musicals spanning from the 1800s to today. One of the day’s most captivating moments included a riveting, heartfelt interview with legendary director, designer, and writer Julie Taymor (The Lion King). While controversy continues to ripple from The White House regarding the future of the Library of Congress, this conference remains a radiant spotlight celebrating women who, regardless of gender and, for many, race, have refused to let societal limits dim their dreams in the performing arts.
Originally, the day was supposed to include interviews with several trailblazing women in the musical theater industry. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, five of the six scheduled guests canceled: Tony-nominated director and choreographer Camille A. Brown (Gypsy, Hell’s Kitchen), producer Marjuan Canady (Hell’s Kitchen), songwriters Shaina Taub (Suffs) and Helen Park (KPOP), and composer Jeanine Tesori (Kimberly Akimbo, Fun Home). Their cancellations came in the wake of President Trump’s decision to remove Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, which sparked additional withdrawals from the Library of Congress appearances. Although they were missed, the show, as always, went on.
The day kicked off with “Show & Tell of Treasures” in the West Dining Room at noon. One of the world’s premier performing arts archives, the Library’s Music Division opened its musical theater collections to attendees in an intimate, hands-on showcase. Rare gems were on display, including a cover of Life magazine featuring actress and singer Pearl Bailey as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! (December 8, 1967), detailed stage management logs from Peggy Clark, and the sheet music for “Lullaby in Ragtime” by composer-lyricist Sylvia Fine. This immersive, educational presentation perfectly set the tone for what followed.
In the Mumford Room, Julie Taymor took the stage following a few introductory remarks. Known for works like The Lion King, The Glorias, Frida, and Across the Universe, Taymor offered an emotional, revealing look into her life in the arts. She reflected on her adventurous upbringing and early passion for travel — from Asia to Europe to Africa — and how her global experiences shaped her richly layered work. Taymor candidly discussed the obstacles she faced as a woman in theater and film.
“I had to fight not just being a woman in a box, but other things in a box,” she said, when speaking about the creative restrictions she encountered, especially in New York. She didn’t shy away from sharing her battles with major companies like Sony, who she said “smelled the money” and wanted to strip her work of political and emotional power by cutting key scenes in Across the Universe, including the Washington march, LGBTQ representation, and a powerful Detroit Riot sequence. Taymor also addressed the persistent misogyny in the industry. “Women know they don’t fail upwards. That only applies to a certain group of people,” she said pointedly.
Throughout the interview, Taymor shared clips and behind-the-scenes footage from works such as Liberty’s Taken, Across the Universe, and Juan Darién, offering a deeper look into her artistic process. Her words struck a chord with attendees, painting a poignant picture of the perseverance, courage, and complexity it takes to be a woman shaping American musicals today.
“Keep writing, keep producing. We have to keep doing what we do. Don’t let anything stop us,” Taymor urged. The day concluded with brief remarks from the conference organizers, leaving the audience brimming with inspiration and insight.
StageStruck! VI: Women and the American Musical runs through May 16, 2025, in the Library of Congress James Madison Memorial Building, West Dining Room and Mumford Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003. It will also be streamed online. This event is free and open to the public; registration is required. Find the full event lineup and register online.
Convenor: Dominic Broomfield-McHugh and the Library of Congress Music Division
Committee: Mark Eden Horowitz, Caitlin Miller, Colleen Montgomery, Stacy Wolf