Social Media Series

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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)

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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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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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.”

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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.”

broadwayleague

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!”