What can New Yorkers do in 15 minutes?

In 15 minutes, I established a personal connection with an artist I long admired. 

I had the pinch-me opportunity to interview six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, which felt like a dream come true. Doing the interview, Audra was so gracious—demonstrating that she knew our interview was a partnership, working together to provide the best answers and story possible. At the end, I said something that made her laugh, and she said, “You remind me so much of my daughter.”

Sitting down at the table at the beginning of the interview, I saw myself as Audra’s colleague. But upon leaving, there was an extra layer of trust because she made that comparison.

Theater and Broadway have always been about community, but there was something special about us being Black women talking together. She's a pioneer in the industry. She's a trailblazer. Connecting with her in such a short time felt really special in so many different ways. @felicianicole86

In 15 minutes, I can set myself up for success for the next 24 hours:

1) Quiet time for myself. Even five minutes of complete silence is effective. It’s my reset where I can stop and think about what is the priority at this moment.

2) I knock out some chores that I can do online. I do a lot of ordering (i.e. Julia’s school uniform) because I don't have time to go to the store.

3) I organize my to-do list, personal and professional. Listing what I need to accomplish is the most effective way for me to make sure I'm knocking out a gazillion responsibilities.

4) Julia has so many school pamphlets that come in with things to sign up for or pay for or enroll in. I need to make sure I've sent in the pretzel money!

5) If I have any time leftover in the 15 minutes, I try to use that for something calming. Maybe a few yoga stretches.

In 15 minutes, I can align my team behind my mission and my vision. Essentially, a conversation with all my players: technical, graphic, animation, marketing, and PR.

I can align with my animators to make sure that the storyboard is clear. I can align with my technical team to point out areas that need development. And I can align with my PR team to build language and branding.

The biggest part of my job is about building a team that believes full-heartedly in any project. That comes from being able to speak honestly, authentically, and passionately. And, in 15 minutes, along with my team, I can efficiently create a perspective of a project that ultimately leads to a greater product, a greater collaboration, a greater connection, a greater team, a greater experience.

And, if need be, I can help a project that seems like it's off track to steer back onto the route that aligns with the correct vision. @bennyor

In 15 minutes, I can travel the world virtually and help hundreds of people execute incredible art and productions and live event experiences.

I specialize in digital and physical experiential, large-scale marketing campaigns for major brands and artists globally. Every second counts and is time-sensitive. While I'm trying to negotiate funding for an artistic project, I could also be directing an entire engineering team on construction in Barcelona. Simultaneously, I’m holding conversations on Zoom, WhatsApp, and Slack, managing production for the next project or campaign.

I'm a problem solver. That's really what I do all day while directing teams around the world. I strive to help people as much as I can. Every minute of my time could change someone's life or make something better for them. Whether it be my clients or friends, every minute of my time as producer is about pushing someone’s vision or dream forward.

In 15 minutes, I can listen.

That may not sound like a lot, but everything I do as a playwright depends on me being conscious of the voices I hear everyday, both those of others and my own.

Crafting a scene or even a pageful of dialogue takes a considerable amount of time, but finding inspiration in the people and the conversations around me can happen within seconds.

If I’m present, I can do the impossible. I can time-travel. I can defy laws of science and ideas of theoreticians. I can wage family-shattering arguments, explore unknown multiuniverses, or simply question, “What if?”

The best part: I can do this all without ever leaving my favorite park bench in Washington Square. Pen and paper, always by my side. But, and I can’t emphasize this enough, all of this starts with listening for those crucial, uninterrupted 15 minutes. @heygianfranco