Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? How do you plan to achieve your immediate and long - term post MBA professional goals?

Although I have been identified as having management potential as evidenced by receiving a fourth year analyst offer which is only given to less than five percent of the James Turner analyst pool, my intention has been to gain a solid financial background before engaging in entrepreneurial pursuits. Upon graduation, I plan to gain experience at a management consulting firm to expand my practical knowledge in strategy, branding, consumer insights and digital marketing. To maintain momentum in my business edification and development, now is the time to pursue an MBA. This is an essential step in fortifying my understanding of best business models to employ to create a successful startup business that provides digital screenings for Broadway musicals and plays.

Theater has the ability to tell universal stories that can touch the audience in a way that lasts beyond the duration of the show. It is my objective to share theatrical experiences with the world. The distribution of these filmed theatrical productions could take a variety of forms including cinema theaters, premium pay TV channels or a global website where content access is provided for a nominal fee. With the low cost of filming theater, expenses could be recouped by the built-in Broadway audience. With an annual audience of approximately 12 million, the business would only need a 3% penetration to cover costs assuming six filmed productions at $1 million each are placed on a digital platform each year. While live theater is confined to certain geographic regions and is expensive with the average ticket price averaging over $90, my business would create accessibility across geographies and economic backgrounds thereby increasing the customer base beyond theater enthusiasts. The market for filming and distributing theater productions is untapped, and there is ample market share to procure should I be able to deploy a successful business model.

Visiting campus, I realized only at Columbia can I learn key business disciplines while maintaining proximity to resources in the theater industry that best align with my future goals. With Columbia’s balanced curriculum, the core courses will provide me with key business cornerstones while also giving me the flexibility to take electives that provide the ability to transform my career path. I plan to utilize these electives to immerse myself in opportunities at the Eugene Lang Center for Entrepreneurship where business disciplines are tackled with special focus on developing skills to build your own enterprise. An exciting way the center accomplishes this is by providing real-world experiences in Master Classes such as The Entrepreneurial Greenhouse Program. I plan to compliment my studies networking with classmates in student groups such as the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization and in the Columbia Follies. Beyond campus, I will leverage Columbia’s location in theater’s mecca and network in this community via on and off-Broadway productions, readings, and industry seminars. Establishing a company for distributing theater will require integrating business and artistic perspectives, and I feel I can bridge these interests during my time at Columbia