We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristen Eliza Brock a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kristen Eliza, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

As an actress and producer based in New York City, my journey has always been rooted in a deep love for theatre — not just performing, but the entire creative ecosystem that brings stories to life. The idea for my business began to take shape during my time as a BFA Musical Theatre major at Montclair State University, where I was introduced to the world of New Work Productions: the development of brand-new plays and musicals.

Up until that point, most of my experience had been performing in established shows, where the roles, scripts, and interpretations were already defined. But working on new works opened up an entirely different creative dimension. I found myself immersed in the process of building something from the ground up — developing characters that had never existed before, contributing ideas that influenced the story, and collaborating with writers and composers to shape something truly original.

While in college, I had the opportunity to participate in numerous workshops and readings, and I was fortunate enough to be invited back for several of them even after graduating. One project in particular became a recurring part of my history — most recently culminating in its World Premiere at a theatre in Orlando, Florida, in the spring of 2025. That experience made me realize something important: I likely wouldn’t have had that opportunity if my university hadn’t first connected me to it.

I wanted — selfishly at first — to continue being part of these readings and workshops, to stay involved in the early stages of developing new work. But I quickly learned how difficult that could be. These opportunities are rarely made public; more often, they happen through friends or existing connections, and those initial collaborators tend to stay with the project as it grows. While that continuity is beautiful, it also means that countless other passionate artists might never get the chance to be part of the beginning process.

That realization sparked the idea for The Table Read Co. which started officially in May of 2025.

I wanted to create a space where anyone — actors, directors, choreographers, producers — could participate in the development of new theatrical work, regardless of location or personal network. A place that would connect playwrights at the very beginning of their creative process (sometimes later) with equally passionate collaborators ready to help bring those stories to life.

Today, The Table Read Co. not only offers a curated database of talented actors for playwrights to cast from, but also an extensive network of creative freelancers — dramaturgs, script readers, literary managers, and more — who help shape and refine each project. We’ve built a community that supports every stage of new work development, making collaboration more accessible, inclusive, and exciting than ever.

While many in our industry are creating and producing new works, The Table Read Co. fills a critical gap: serving as a launch point for playwrights, composers, and lyricists who need guidance, resources, and encouragement to take their first steps. We provide the motivation, creative structure, and practical support that turn great ideas into fully realized projects. Sometimes all an artist needs is a little momentum, a little guidance, and a community that believes in their potential — and that’s exactly what we provide.

At its heart, this company was born from both passion and purpose: a desire to expand opportunity, nurture creativity, and ensure that new voices in theatre have the resources and community they deserve.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

The Table Read Co. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting playwrights, composers, and lyricists in the earliest stages of bringing new work to life. We believe that every great production begins with a first read — that pivotal moment when words meet voices, music finds breath, and creative collaboration begins.

We founded The Table Read Co. out of a shared passion for helping writers and creators navigate the often-overlooked and difficult development phase. Many artists have incredible ideas but struggle to access the professional resources needed to hear their work out loud or build a creative team. Our mission is to fill that gap — providing a supportive, artist-centered environment where stories can grow from the page to the stage.

Our services include organizing table reads, staged readings, and developmental workshops, as well as connecting writers with directors, choreographers, music directors, stage managers, and other key collaborators that we feel are necessary to every process. We maintain a database of qualified, working professional actors, ensuring each project is matched with talent that elevates and informs the creative process. We also offer access to freelance creative professionals who can help build complete teams tailored to each project’s specific needs.

To help artists present their work and take the next step in their development journey, we also provide photography and videography services, and offer connections to next-level producers who can help move promising projects toward production.

What sets The Table Read Co. apart is our commitment to process over product. We focus on collaboration, experimentation, and growth — giving writers and creative teams the space to learn, refine, and discover without pressure. Every project is treated as a partnership, built on mutual respect and a shared belief in the power of new voices in theatre and storytelling.

We’re most proud of the community we’ve built — a space where emerging and established creators alike can take creative risks, find their people, and make their work stronger. For anyone interested in working with us, we want them to know that The Table Read Co. exists to make those “what if” moments possible — helping stories take their very first steps toward the stage with the professional support they deserve. We welcome everyone and anyone who feels passionate in any form to join us on this journey. There is a place for everyone.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner truly changed the game for me. I had put up a listing on Playbill.com — a site where actors often find work — looking for a “personal assistant” to help manage the flood of business that started coming in very quickly. In the listing, I asked for someone with personal assistant or marketing experience who also had either (1) a background in theatre or (2) a strong passion for the theatre world. It was important to me that this person cared about the art form as deeply as the artists I was working with.

I received over 300 submissions and interviewed 20 people. Annika, who is now my business partner, was only the second person I interviewed. Everyone I spoke to was lovely and highly qualified, but she had an energy and enthusiasm that immediately stood out — I knew I wanted that kind of spark in this business.

I ended up hiring her, and just a few weeks into working together, I promoted her to Management Director because she completely took the role and ran with it. We collaborated seamlessly, and magic started to happen. But that partnership required a lot of trust — I had to hand over my “baby,” something that had been just me for so long, and trust her to help it grow. And I’m so glad I did.

Interestingly, several of the other candidates I met through those original interviews have also become collaborators and team members at The Table Read Co. It’s amazing what happens when you open the door to people who are genuinely passionate about what you’re building and you make that clear from the get go — the right team has a way of building itself.

Any advice for managing a team?

I genuinely love managing people. I’ve always been full of creative ideas, but not always sure how to put them into motion — and I think that’s actually what’s made me a strong manager. I deeply value the people around me and the insight they bring. I see my team as peers with just as much to offer as I do. My job is simply to help draw out their best ideas and put them into action. That’s what good management is — trusting and empowering the people around you.

At The Table Read Co., I work with a wide range of collaborators — actors, directors, choreographers, fundraisers, marketers — you name it. The theatre industry is a small, interconnected world where reputation and relationships matter, so I always try to lead with kindness, understanding, and openness. People will surprise you when they feel safe and supported enough to do so.

I also think my perspective as a lifelong actress informs how I lead. Actors often don’t hold much authority in the room, so I’ve experienced both incredible leadership and environments where people’s voices weren’t valued. Those experiences taught me exactly what kind of space I want to create. When I have the privilege of leading a room, I make sure everyone feels heard, respected, and inspired — the way I would want to feel myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thetableread.org
• Instagram: @thetablereadco and @kristenelizabrock
• Linkedin: The Table Read Co and KRISTEN ELIZA BROCK
• Other: Kristen’s website: www.kristenbrock.com