Art in Action: How Ariel Fristoe Uses Theater to Transform Communities
In this episode, Karen and Cat talk with Ariel Fristoe, founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, a company redefining how art can drive social change. Ariel shares her journey blending creativity, activism, and community conversation to address issues like justice, empathy, and belonging.
Discover how her award-winning model became a Harvard Business School case study, and why she believes every performance can inspire civic transformation.
🎧 Listen in to learn:
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How art can advance social justice
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What makes Out of Hand Theater a national model
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The future of community-centered arts leadership
Email: ariel@outofhandtheater.com
Phone Number: 4043129871
Website: https://www.outofhandtheater.com
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Ariel Fristoe
Artistic Director
Ariel Fristoe is a national leader in community engagement and business model innovation in the arts. Ariel is the founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, winner of The New York Times Best Theater of the year, the Bloomberg Public Art Challenge, and the Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities. Out of Hand works at the intersection of art, social justice, and civic engagement. They advance community issues through programs that combine theater with information and conversation. Ariel leads Emory’s Concentration in Arts Management, and she’s been an Innovator in Residence at The Hatchery. She is published in the International Journal of Arts Management and American Theater Magazine. Harvard Business School published a case study on Out of Hand’s business model. Ariel is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and a LINK Trip delegate. The AJC named her an Everyday Hero, and she’s won the Women of Influence Award and been named one of Georgia’s Most Influential Leaders and Atlanta's Most Powerful Leaders. In 2025, she won Emory's Entrepreneur Award and the Research Impact Award from the Society of Arts Entrepreneurship Education.
