The “Belonging on Broadway” series celebrates the diverse 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.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! 🎉 This month, we celebrate and reflect on the incredible contributions of disabled artists, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Sarah Kenny (@sarahkenny), Senior Manager of Education, Access, and Inclusion at @disneyonbroadway, and Anthony Michael Lopez (@flittergaggot), who is performing in @ourtownbroadway, share their insights on the importance of hiring disabled artists in all areas of theatre. From expanding access to fostering inclusion, they remind us why it’s vital to continue uplifting and supporting disabled artists on and off stage. 🌟
Happy #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth! #BelongingonBroadway 🎉
Oct 2
In celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re excited to share inspiring words from esteemed Broadway professionals on the impact of embracing the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of Latiné and Hispanic communities on Broadway!
At the launch of ¡VIVA! BROADWAY: ayer, hoy y mañana, a new special exhibit at the @museumofbroadway, Sergio Trujillo, Gabriela Carrillo, Camille Labrador, and Didi Romero reflect on the impact of visibility, representation, and the celebration of Latiné and Hispanic stories. Together, they highlight how we can continue to uplift this beautiful culture both on and off the stage. 🎶💃🏽
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month 🎊 #BelongingonBroadway
Sep 18
In celebration of the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we sat down with Senior Manager of Education, Access, and Inclusion at @disneyonbroadway Sarah Kenny and @camelotonbroadway and @ourtownbroadway performer Anthony Michael Lopez to reflect on the significance of this month, what it means to them, and the necessity of upholding the work toward greater inclusion and the advancement of access and equal rights for disabled people.
Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth! #BelongingonBroadway #ADA34 🎉
Jul 26
In celebration of #PrideMonth we are reflecting on the inspiring words of @theebillyporter who was honored with the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for his extraordinary contributions as an activist for the LGBTQ+ community.
During his acceptance speech at the 77th @thetonyawards, Billy Porter reflected on his early activism as an openly gay actor in the 1980s, emphasizing the importance of fighting for equal rights for all and the transformative power of love.
“Love always wins. It takes time, it takes grace, it takes hope, it takes patience, it takes loving kindness and compassion. And we win. When we fight, we always win.” Watch the full speech at YouTube.com/tonyawards.
Happy Pride!! #BelongingonBroadway
Jun 22
In celebration of #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth, we are reflecting on @alexedelman’s one-man show, "Just For Us", that delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the Jewish experience with humor and heart. Edelman is among the honorees being presented with a Special Tony Award for his work.
Happy Jewish American Heritage Month! ⭐ #BelongingonBroadway #JAHM
📸: Matthew Murphy
May 24
Join us in celebrating #AAPIHeritageMonth with a special reflection from @thehelenpark, who made history as the first Asian female composer to receive a @thetonyawards-nomination for her work on KPOP:
“My heritage is an integral part of my identity and it profoundly shapes my creative process. Growing up within both Korean and American cultures, I experienced firsthand the stark contrast between external perceptions and underlying realities. I’ve discovered that musical theatre, in particular, has a remarkable ability to bridge these gaps. This, paired with the realization that we are all humans in the end, has ignited a deep passion in me to tell universal stories and bring people together through my work.”
Happy Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!⭐ #BelongingOnBroadway
📸: Anthony Behar (1) and Matthew Murphy (2-3)
May 20
Happy Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Heritage Month/Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month! Dive into this captivating conversation with the cast of the US National Tour of @kiterunnerbway as they reflect on their experiences and on the significance of this month, the impact that representation has had on their career, and what it means to be taking The Kite Runner across America. ✨#MENAHeritage #SWANAHeritage #BelongingonBroadway
🎥 In order of appearance:
Awesta Zarif @awestaz
Sophie Zmorrod @sophiezmorrod
Wiley Naman Strasser @wileywhy
Apr 16
Students from across New York City spent a magical week with Disney Theatrical Group learning from Broadway professionals about the career opportunities available on Broadway. To learn more about the Broadway League’s High School Broadway Shadowing Program, visit diversity.broadway ✨
Apr 11
In part two of our conversation with inspiring women at The Broadway League for #WomensHistoryMonth listen as they share some insightful career advice for aspiring theatre professionals. ✨
🎥 In order of appearance:
Katherine Daugherty-Smillie, Manager of Labor Relations
Titi Obi, Senior Staff Accountant
Charlotte Campbell, Membership & Professional Development Associate
Rachel Brandt, Contract Analyst, Labor Relations
Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month and visit careers.broadway to learn more about opportunities in the Broadway industry. #BelongingonBroadway
Mar 26
In celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth we spoke with remarkable women at The Broadway League. In part one, hear their thoughts on what this month means to them and some of the trailblazing women that have inspired them throughout their careers. ✨
Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month and visit careers.broadway to learn more about opportunities in the Broadway industry. #BelongingonBroadway
🎥 In order of appearance:
Olivia Grace, Receptionist & Office Administrative Associate
Katherine Daugherty-Smillie, Manager of Labor Relations
Charlotte Campbell, Membership & Professional Development Associate
Titi Obi, Senior Staff Accountant
Rachel Oakes, Manager of Education Programs
Maura Cuddihy, Design and Technology Associate
Rachel Brandt, Contract Analyst, Labor Relations
Blaire Townshend, Assistant Director of Membership Services & Professional Development
Mar 26
🌟 Reflecting on a Year of Cultural Heritage Celebrations! 🎉✨
Join us as we reflect on “Belonging on Broadway.” This series celebrates the diverse voices, perspectives, and identities that make up the rich tapestry of Broadway by amplifying cultural heritage celebrations that take place throughout the year. 🙌🏽❤️ From #BlackHistoryMonth to #AsianAmericanPacificIslanderHeritageMonth, #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth and so many more we are reminded of the significance of these cultural heritage celebrations and the diverse collection of voices and stories that make up Broadway. 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. As we explore new stories of #BelongingOnBroadway this year, we invite you to tell us what “belonging on Broadway” means to you.
Jan 19
As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of #WorldAIDSDay, @thetonyawards-winning actress and human rights activist @judithlight emphasizes the importance of remembering those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS. In her 2021 speech at “Remember the Ribbon: A Tribute to World AIDS Day”, a fundraising event for @bcefa, she encourages us to remain resilient, unyielding, and unbroken in our collective efforts to end HIV/AIDS.
In partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, we uplift the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS while honoring those surviving. For 35 years, thanks to the steadfast support of the theatre community - those onstage, backstage and in the audience - Broadway Cares has raised over $300 million to help provide meals and medication, health care and hope to those living with HIV/AIDS. Support from Broadway Cares reaches everyone in entertainment and the performing arts and helps more than 450 organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., proving time and again that “what we do together makes a difference.”
Dec 1
In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, we spoke with @larissafasthorse, the first known Native American woman to have a play, “The Thanksgiving Play,” produced on Broadway. In part one of the video, Larissa shares the message she hopes to impart through her work and reflects on some ways to celebrate #nationalnativeamericanheritagemonth. Stay tuned for part two of this video, where Larissa will share some of the incredible Indigenous playwrights and creatives who have inspired her.
Nov 17
During the month of June, in honor of #Pride, we will be highlighting a number of milestone moments in Broadway history.
1983 - “La Cage aux Folles” Opens on Broadway
The groundbreaking musical, "La Cage aux Folles," made its debut on Broadway in 1983 starring Gene Barry and George Hearn, putting a gay love story center stage. Inspired by the French play of the same name, the story revolves around Georges, the owner of a St. Tropez drag show, and Albin, his partner and star performer. When their son announces that he is getting married to the daughter of a conservative politician they must navigate the challenges of maintaining their own relationship and identity in a society that does not always accept them. The show, with a book by @theharveyfierstein and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, contains powerful messages of self-love and acceptance, showcased in songs like "We Are What We Are" and "I Am What I Am.” The production won six 1984 @thetonyawards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Actor in a Musical for Hearn. It has since been performed internationally and revived twice on Broadway, winning the @thetonyawards for Best Revival of a Musical in 2005 and 2010.
Photos: NYPL Digital Collection/Martha Swope
1: George Hearn and Gene Barry
2: (L-R) Gene Barry and George Hearn
3: George Hearn
4: The cast
Jun 5
