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Removing the “ILLUSION OF INCLUSION” by building an ethical roadmap that is increasing employment opp

03/23/2026

Big news for Johnny Quevedo, who joins Disney Theatrical Group as our latest BTC Fellow and continues building a path rooted in storytelling and collaboration.
Celebrating Johnny as BTC’s Year 5 Fellow at Disney Theatrical Group, bringing his perspective and passion to one of theater’s leading institutions.

Johnny steps into Disney Theatrical Group as a Producing Fellow, marking an exciting new chapter in his journey as a writer and creative collaborator.

03/06/2026

This year's Bold Beacon Award is proudly awarded to Jessica Matten!

Jessica Matten, is an Indigenous actress and producer who is of Red River Métis, Cree, Chinese, and European descent. For her, the spotlight is more than just a stage—it’s a platform for change. Named one of Canada’s most promising talents by The Hollywood Reporter and praised for her powerful performances by The Globe and Mail, Jessica Matten has captivated global audiences in LeBron James’ “Rez Ball”, George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford’s “Dark Winds” (entering its fifth season, where she stars as Bernadette Manuelito), Jason Momoa’s “Frontier”, and the upcoming “Avatar: The Last Airbender” for Paramount Studios as Katara. But Matten’s mission reaches far beyond the screen. As President of 7 Forward Entertainment and founder of one of North America’s first Indigenous Film Academy, she is actively reshaping the future of Indigenous representation in film and television. Whether funding grassroots film projects in remote communities, fighting for clean water access, or mentoring Indigenous youth, Matten is rewriting the script—both in Hollywood and in real life.

03/02/2026

This year's Poitier-Belafonte Award for Cultural Activism will be awarded to Susan Fales-Hill

Former Executive Producer/writer of HBO Max series, “And Just like that,” Susan Fales-Hill attended the Lycée Francais de New York and graduated with honors from Harvard Collge (AB ’84.) An award-winning television writer/producer, author and arts advocate, she began her career as a writer’s apprentice and “warm up” person on the original “Cosby Show.” After two years, she was transferred to its spin-off, “A Different World,” where she became one of Hollywood’s few female and youngest show runners. Under her leadership, the show received the Nancy Susan Reynolds Award, and was nominated for the NAACP Image Award, an Emmy (Diahann Carroll as guest star,) and received the prestigious Humanitas Prize. Other television credits include “Can’t Hurry Love” (which starred Mariska Hargitay of “Law & Order SVU”), “Kirk,” “Suddenly Susan” (starring Brooke Shields), and Showtime’s “Linc’s,” which she cocreated. Ms. Fales-Hill is the author of four books, including a memoir, “Always Wear Joy.” Her articles have appeared in publications ranging from Essence, to Architectural Digest to Vogue to The New York Times. She’s a Contributing Editor at Town and Country.

02/26/2026

This year's Change Maker Award will be awarded to Taraji P. Henson!

Taraji P. Henson is an American actress whose accolades include a Golden Globe Award, alongside nominations for an Academy Award, six Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. In 2016 and 2024, Time named Henson one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

After studying acting at Howard University, she made her film debut in the crime film Streetwise (1998). Henson gained recognition for playing a pr******te in Hustle & Flow (2005) and as nursing home caretaker, Queenie, in David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). The latter earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2016, she portrayed mathematician Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures. Henson has also had an extensive career in television. From 2011 to 2013, she co-starred as Joss Carter in the CBS drama series Person of Interest. From 2015 to 2020, she starred as Cookie Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire, for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama and was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards in 2015 and 2016. Henson also released a New York Times best-selling autobiography titled Around the Way Girl in 2016. In 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

02/24/2026

Theatrical pioneer Thomas Schumacher will receive this year's Visionary Ally Award.

For more than three decades, Thomas Schumacher has set standards of excellence in film, television and theatre. He has overseen the development, creation and ex*****on of The Walt Disney Company’s legitimate stage entertainment around the globe, including several versions of Beauty and the Beast, King David, The Lion King, Der Glöckner von Notre Dame, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, Mary Poppins, On the Record, TARZAN™, High School Musical, The Little Mermaid, Peter and the Starcatcher, Newsies, Aladdin, Freaky Friday, Shakespeare in Love, Frozen, and Hercules.

With Music Theatre International, Schumacher created a program to license select Disney Theatrical titles for schools, amateur and professional theatres. This ongoing program has resulted in more than 500,000 performances around the world, reaching audiences exceeding 150 million. Schumacher is the author (with Jeff Kurtti) of the book How Does the Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater, released in three editions.

He serves on the Broadway League’s Executive Committee and Board of Governors, as well as the Tony Administration Committee. He is co-chair of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards), and a member of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. He is the former Executive Vice President of Broadway Cares/Equity
Fights AIDS and was a longtime trustee of the Entertainment Community Fund, now serving as a member of the Chairman’s Council. Schumacher previously served on the Board of Directors for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, as a mentor for the TDF Open Doors program, and as an adjunct professor at Columbia University. He was the Chair of The Broadway League from 2017 to 2020. Mr. Schumacher has been honored with the Tony Award for producing The Lion King, the UJA Federation Excellence in Theater Award, the Los Angeles LGBT Center Board of Directors Award, and has been honored by the Hotel Association of New York for his impact on tourism in New York City.

12/10/2025

A year inside Disney Theatrical Group’s production rooms—supported by BTC. Learn, contribute, & grow with the teams behind Broadway’s biggest titles. Applications due by January 10th! 🎭 https://tinyurl.com/BTC2026DTG

08/15/2025

Ever wonder how Broadway hits the road? 🚍✨

The BAA-BTC Regional Apprenticeship takes you inside the world of touring theater: how the shows move, how audiences are reached, and how the business runs behind the scenes.

💼 14 weeks of paid work + cohort-based learning
📍 1 week networking in NYC
🎭 Skills that travel far beyond the stage

We’re looking for passionate students and emerging professionals—especially those committed to growing representation in American theater.

Applications are open until October 18! Link in bio on our story…

08/12/2025

Grateful for moments like these!
The world keeps on spinning but gathering reminds us of what’s constant — connection, community, and change in motion.

Thanks to Kolten for setting the tone so beautifully at Miss Nelle’s.

Photo credit: Jason F. Vasquez

07/30/2025

Meet Nilesha, an operations-minded theatre professional who turns passion into purpose! With experience on major national tours and Broadway hits alike, we know she’s just getting started.

07/29/2025

Thank you for including BTC in today’s professional development event!

07/16/2025

You’re invited! Join on tomorrow, July 17 for a celebration of local legend and photographer Alex Harsley of .

Join us for food & drink, a documentary film sneak-peek, photo gallery, a performance by with direction by our very own BTC Artistic Director Fellow, and the chance to share YOUR story with On This Spot Interviews.

Thursday, July 17 at 5-9 PM on East St between Bowery & 2nd Ave

This event is FREE and open to the public! Please RSVP at the link in bio on our story.

07/11/2025

Say hello to Lacey 👋🏿 our newest Casting Fellow! A storyteller originally from Baltimore, she brings humor, heart, and a sharp eye to the new media landscape. We’re excited to see what’s ahead for her! 🎬✨

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