The “Belonging on Broadway” social media series celebrates the voices, perspectives, and identities that make up the rich tapestry of Broadway by amplifying cultural heritage months that take place throughout the year. Each story, each voice, contributes to the beautiful community that is Broadway, and these commemorations underscore the significance of everyone feeling a sense of belonging, of being seen and heard. Through this series, we aim to educate, inform, and elevate all voices within the Broadway community.
Happy #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth! Seth Rudetsky (@sethrudetsky), founder of the Jewish Broadway Alliance, sat down to discuss the historic connections between Broadway and the Jewish community, including a musical motif from WEST SIDE STORY and the power of casting Barbra Streisand in FUNNY GIRL. #BelongingOnBroadway #JAHM
May 11
“It’s not just about representation, it is about community. It is about identifying a place for oneself.” We spoke with Baayork Lee (@baayork) and Clint Ramos (@clintramos) about the importance of #AANHPI representation on Broadway. As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we recognize the outstanding contributions of the #AANHPI community on Broadway, both on stage and off. 🧡
May 4
“When you see yourself up there, that’s what representation truly is.” 💚 Current cast members and alumni of WICKED hosted a talkback in partnership with ¡VIVA Broadway!, an audience development program of The Broadway League.
¡VIVA Broadway! aims to ensure there is rich cultural diversity throughout the Broadway industry now and for future generations. To learn more, visit belonging.broadway 💗
Apr 24
“Broadway makes people feel seen.” 💛 We spoke with @thetonyawards winner Ari’el Stachel (@arielstachel) about the importance of celebrating Middle Eastern and North African/Southwest Asian and North African Heritage Month on Broadway.
#MENAHeritage #SWANAHeritage #BelongingOnBroadway
Apr 2
“Music can make us try to understand someone else.” 💜 To celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth, we sat down with the Ladies in Waiting at @sixbroadway to discuss the significance of this orchestra on Broadway. #BelongingOnBroadway
Mar 25
“They see us, and they know it’s true—it can happen.” 🌟 To celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth, we sat down with the Ladies in Waiting at @sixbroadway to discuss the significance of this orchestra on Broadway. #BelongingOnBroadway
Mar 25
“We’re going to mighty places because of our beautiful resilience.” 💜 This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating Black excellence on Broadway with moments from the 2025 Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth Concert! Here’s a portion of 2025 Juneteenth Legacy Award winner André De Shields’ speech at the concert.
“Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth” is a celebration centered around Black artistry and unity allowing the Broadway community to reflect, rejoice, and plan for a brighter future. For more information, visit belonging.broadway 🌟
Feb 2
“This was no time to hide.” In recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month, we are looking back on Harvey Fierstein’s acceptance speech for the Special Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the 2025 @thetonyawards. During his speech, Harvey reflected on his experiences in “Torch Song Trilogy” and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic on the Broadway community in the 1980s.
#BelongingOnBroadway
Oct 1
“Es un sueño hecho realidad” 🧡 We celebrated #HispanicHeritageMonth at @buenavistamusical and asked cast members what celebrating Hispanic heritage on Broadway means to them.
Special thanks to our ¡Viva! Broadway ambassador Luis Salgado (@lsalgadoart) for joining the cast onstage after the show to celebrate. ¡Viva! Broadway is dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the rich cultural heritage of the Latiné and Hispanic communities on Broadway. To learn more, visit belonging.broadway 💛
In order of appearance:
Luis Salgado
Ilda Mason (@ildamason)
Da’Von T. Moody (@d_moo_d)
Renesito Avich (@renesitoavich)
Sep 29
“Because of my lived experience as a wheelchair user, I already had all of the tools that I needed.” 💚 Here’s Jenna Bainbridge (@bainbridgejenna) explaining her experience as the first authentically disabled person to perform the role of Nessarose in @wicked_musical on Broadway. #DisabilityPrideMonth #BelongingOnBroadway
Jul 24
“We are here, we exist, and our stories are being told.” 🩷 July is #DisabilityPrideMonth! We spoke with Jenna Bainbridge (@bainbridgejenna), who is currently performing as Nessarose in @wicked_musical on Broadway, to discuss what this month means to her. #BelongingOnBroadway
Jul 10
Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 We’re looking back on the @thetonyawards winning production of “The Inheritance” as we reflect on this important time for the LGBTQIA+ community. Inspired by E.M. Forster’s “Howards End,” @matthewmichaellopez’s two-part play follows three generations of gay men reckoning with their past and future in a changing America. The production opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Nov. 17, 2019 and took home four Tony Awards including Best Play, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Andrew Burnap), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Lois Smith), and Best Direction of a Play (Stephen Daldry).
📸: @murphymade
1 - The Cast
2 - Andrew Burnap (@atburnap) and Kyle Soller (@kyle_soller)
3 - The Cast
4 - Tony Goldwyn (@tonygoldwyn) and Kyler Soller
5 - Tony Goldwyn and Paul Hilton
6 - Jordan Barbour (@queeredbarbie), Darryl Gene Daughtry Jr. (@darrylgenejr), Kyle Soller, Arturo Luis Soria and Kyle Harris (@kyleharris)
Jun 1
“When you see it, you can be it.” At our recent East to Broadway launch event at @museumofbroadway, we spoke with Founder of the Asian American Theatre Artists Collective (@aatheatreartists), Co-Founder of AAPAC (@aapac_nyc), and writer/performer Christine Toy Johnson (@ctoyj) and performer Melody Butiu (@themelodybutiu).
Christine and Melody shared their vision of a Broadway industry “that endeavors to reflect the multitude of our stories.” As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we recognize the outstanding contributions of the #AANHPI community on Broadway, both on stage and off. 🩵
#AANHPIHeritageMonth #BelongingOnBroadway
May 9
In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we’re looking back at Tom Stoppard’s @thetonyawards winning play, “Leopoldstadt.” This multigenerational drama follows the fictional Merz-Jacobovitz family as they reckon with their Jewish identity in the years preceding and succeeding World War ll. Conflicting views on prosperity for their family and the Jewish people sit at the center of Stoppard’s play, which was inspired by his own personal family history. The production opened on Broadway in 2022 and took home four Tony Awards including Best Play, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Brandon Uranowitz), Best Direction of a Play (Patrick Marber), and Best Costume Design of a Play (Brigitte Reiffenstuel). #JAHM #BelongingonBroadway
📸: @joanmarcus
1 - Reese Bogin (@reese.bogin), Sara Topham, and Ava Michele Hyl (@avamichelehyl)
2 - The Company
3 - Joshua Satine (@joshuasatine)
4 - Brandon Uranowitz (@branuran) and Arty Froushan (@artyfroushan)
5 - Faye Castelow (fayecastelow) and David Krumholtz (@davidkrumholtz)
6 - The Company
May 1
“I am a first-generation Arab-American, born to Jordanian immigrants who instilled in me a fierce work ethic and excitement for life,” says Executive Vice President at @serinocoyne Diana Salameh. “I love seeing MENA/SWANA theater artists in roles that aren’t specific to their heritage; Sonya Tayeh winning the Tony Award for Best Choreography for @moulinrougebway, Ali Louis Bourzgui being cast as Orpheus in @hadestown, David Yazbek writing the score for @deadoutlawmusical.”
“As a kid, I wanted nothing more than to blend in. As an adult, I want nothing more than to bring my full, authentic self to everything I do. To anyone aspiring to work in theatre, I wish nothing more than for you to be proud of who you are and where you come from. Yalla, let’s go! You are welcome here.”
In recognition of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Heritage Month/Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the contributions of members of the MENA/SWANA community in leadership, management, and creative roles, showcasing how they are shaping and influencing the future of the Broadway industry.
#MENAHeritage #SWANAHeritage #BelongingOnBroadway
📸: @jennyandersonphoto, @emiliomadrid, and @rebeccajmichelson
Apr 23
“Art is how we seek and find understanding as human beings in this world,” says Business Operations Director for @octopustheatricals and Executive Director of @noortheatre Ariana Sarfarazi, “and MENA/SWANA communities need recognition of our mutual humanity. As an Iranian-American, I’ve often had to forge my career without knowing one other person with my cultural background who does what I do. I now feel an enormous responsibility to nurture and inspire greater MENA/SWANA representation in the theatre industry. We need numerous MENA/SWANA artists and professionals to tell our stories and to advocate for our communities both on stage and off. This, of course, includes exploration of our pain, but also of our joy, our wisdom, our humor, our love, and our beauty, too. More stories mean more nuance, more layers, more depth, and more understanding of our communities, and with greater understanding brings greater connection, which I believe is the entire point of art.”
This Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Heritage Month/Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month, we’re proud to spotlight MENA/SWANA leaders, creatives, and changemakers who are shaping the future of Broadway.
#MENAHeritage #SWANAHeritage #BelongingOnBroadway
Apr 16
“I’m really heartened whenever I see Arab people integrated into any aspect of the industry — whether in front or behind the scenes,” says Marie Bshara, Vice President of Client Relations at @omdkc. “Representation for me is much less about the stories we tell onstage and more about the people we empower to help tell them. I bring my Arab-American heritage to everything I do, whether or not I’m promoting a show with an Arab storyline or centered around Arab characters. As nice as it was to hear about MENA heritage month, for me that’s every month!”
This Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Heritage Month/Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month, we’re proud to spotlight MENA/SWANA leaders, creatives, and changemakers who are shaping the future of Broadway.
#MENAHeritage #SWANAHeritage #BelongingOnBroadway
Apr 7
Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! This year, we’re highlighting Broadway fellowship programs that create opportunities for the Black community in historically underrepresented areas.
Former @blacktheatrecoalition fellow and @thisisseaview producing fellow Devyn Itula said, “I’ve been really fortunate to spend the last year at Seaview as their producing fellow working on shows such as @goodnightgoodluckbway, @thelastfiveyears, and @romeojulietnyc.
Shortly after joining the team, a reading came under my purview, and while I had so much trepidation, the team could not have been more amazing. They knew—before I knew it myself—that I could succeed. They gave me the space and responsibility to lead while also reminding me that I had their support if I needed it.
I cannot fathom what my professional life would look like without the tireless work of the BTC team and my team at Seaview. One day I hope to give back in the same way and foster genuine relationships across different facets of the theatre industry.”
Feb 20
Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! This year, we’re highlighting Broadway fellowship programs that create opportunities for the Black community in historically underrepresented areas.
Former @blacktheatrecoalition and @hellskitchenbway Fellow and Assistant Choreographer of @awonderfulworldbway Nasha Harris Santiago said, “I’ve been lucky enough to work with predominantly Black creative teams with Black leaders at the forefront like @camilleabrown and @rickeytripp, and I’ve witnessed first-hand the absolute importance of having Black voices in leadership positions.” Nasha is now the Associate Choreographer for “3 Summers of Lincoln” at La Jolla Playhouse and credits her Broadway fellowships for where she is today.
For aspiring fellows, she gives this encouragement: “Network network network! Be kind, be brave, and never give up on yourself. Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will. Trust, wait, and embrace the uncertainty because what is meant for you will be yours.”
Feb 12
Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! This month, we’re spotlighting Broadway fellowship programs that create opportunities for Black professionals in historically underrepresented areas.
Alexander Robertson, Creative Producer and former @tpoc_bway fellow, shared: “TPOC empowers the next generation of BIPOC producers through education, training, and mentorship. It has had a lasting impact on my career and my understanding of building community through theatre.”
His advice to current or aspiring fellows: “Lead with purpose and stay curious. Anchor yourself in your ‘why,’ be open to learning, and never underestimate the power of persistence!”
Feb 1
