Beltline to Broadway

For many of us, it is difficult to comprehend the overwhelming enormity of the Holocaust and the 6-million Jews who were murdered by the Nazi regime during WWII. The historical trauma that impacted generations of displaced people and their families following the Holocaust, is the subject of the film WHERE CAN I GO? executive produced by Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services in partnership with The Justice Theater Project. The film is the culmination of a year-long program, Kesher, which utilized creative arts therapy to improve mental health and reduce the social isolation of five Holocaust survivors living in North Carolina and sheltered in place during the pandemic. Collectively, they teach us the importance of connecting, understanding, and remembering.

Tobi Dicker was born in a displaced person camp in Furth, Bavaria, Germany on May 3 1947, to two survivors of the Holocaust awaiting quota from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) to send them to Israel. Unfortunately, Tobi became ill and needed hospitalization which caused them to miss their quota. After 15 months of recovery and waiting they received new orders to go to the United States, where they arrived in May of 1950. Tobi grew up in New York and moved to North Carolina in 1994. North Carolina is Tobi’s home, her love. She always strives to remind people of the atrocities of the world. The Kesher program is a wonderful vehicle for which she feels a lot of gratitude. Tobi hopes by viewing this film you will keep in the forefront of your mind we can never be complacent or believe catastrophes can never happen again in the form of discrimination, anti-Semitism, and other forms of hatred.

Marianna Miller was born in Presov, Czechoslovakia on August 8, 1925. She was brought to England at the start of the war to keep her safe. Both her parents were killed by the end in Banksa Bystirica where there is now a memorial for those who were murdered. Marianna came to the United States in 1954 and had a successful career as a social worker working with families. Marianna moved to North Carolina a few years ago to be closer to her daughter. She enjoys the climate and beautiful landscape as well as the people and their new perspectives. She hopes by viewing this film people will understand her experience and connect it to how we treat refugees and children. She wants people to understand what can happen if we are less than decent to each other.

Harry Rubinstein was born on December 19, 1930, in Cologne, Germany. His family was split up by Nazi immigration rules just before the war. In September 1939, with the help of a special U.S. visa, he gained passage to America with his family. After a successful career as Dean of Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, he moved with his wife to North Carolina and spend retirement closer to their children. Living in North Carolina has allowed them to be part of a vibrant Jewish community and participate in the lives of their children. Harry is a member of the JFS Kesher group and he wants people to see this film to understand the impact of national socialism and Nazism on European Jewish life.

Judy Stevens was born in Gyöngyös, Hungary on June 22, 1946. Before her birth, her mother was in Auschwitz and her father in a labor command in Siberia. Most family members did not survive the war. In fear of another wave of anti-Semitic persecution during the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, Judy and her parents escaped the country as refugees to Vienna, England, and then finally to Canada. Judy came to the United States in 1988 and moved to North Carolina in 2017. Living in North Carolina allows Judy to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She is an active member of her synagogue and within the Wake County Jewish community. Until the pandemic, she participated as an active volunteer in the community teaching students who were learning English as a second language. The Kesher program...

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A candid conversation with Arts NC's Nate McGaha on the SVOG (formerly Save Our Stages) rollout and where we go from here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thao Nguyen joins the pod squad to discuss Asian representation in the performing arts, the impact of racial violence, and the coded language that still persists in the entertainment industry.

Thao Nguyen is a multi-talented performer who recently appeared off-Broadway in the English world premiere of Tropical Angels with Musical Theater Factory and the Taipei Cultural Center in Taiwan. As an advocate for diversity in the arts, he has spoken on panels about racial equity in theater and continues to push for more opportunities for Asian-American artists. With experience in opera, musical theater, and teaching, Thao brings a unique perspective to discussions about representation, systemic racism in casting, and the need for more authentic Asian stories on stage and screen. His passion for social change and commitment to challenging outdated industry norms make him a powerful voice in the ongoing fight for equity in the arts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Anthony, longtime bartender at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, joins the pod squad to share behind-the-scenes stories from Hamilton. Mike offers a rare perspective on Broadway life, from unforgettable audience moments to eerie ghost stories.

Mike Anthony is an actor, writer, and bartender who has spent over 14 years working at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where he served drinks to Broadway audiences while witnessing history unfold. His memoir, Life at Hamilton, chronicles his time behind the bar, from hilarious celebrity encounters to powerful moments with theatergoers. His stories have gone viral, resonating with fans worldwide as he shares the magic, emotion, and community of Broadway.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlita Victoria joins the pod squad to discuss the intersection of mental health and the performing arts, Carlita’s personal journey with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and the challenges that many Black and Brown communities face when seeking mental health resources.

Carlita Victoria is a Raleigh, North Carolina native, she attended The University of NC at Greensboro (BFA Dance Performance and Choreography, K-12 Dance Education). A committed mental health advocate, Carlita founded https://www.darknessrisingproject.org/ (Darkness Rising) Nonprofit for Black mental health to create a safe space and mental health resources for the Black community. Carlita has performed nationally and internationally with Chuck Davis and The African American Dance Ensemble, Madagascar Live: China, Circus Conelli Switzerland, The Glee Project Promo featuring Darren Criss, Off-Broadway with Broad Comedy, as well various regional shows. Carlita’s heart is always with North Carolina Theatre, where she’s performed in Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray, In The Heights, and Kinky Boots! Carlita is an active performer, certified personal fitness instructor, and mental health advocate.

Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway

Twitter – @beltlinetobway

Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway

Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Hartwell joins the pod squad to discuss his early inspirations, how his first professional theater experience at age 12 shaped his career, and why representation and access are key to fostering the next generation of artists.

Robert Hartwell is a Broadway actor, director, and educator who has appeared in Hello, Dolly! with Bette Midler, Motown the Musical, Cinderella, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and Memphis. He is the founder and artistic director of The Broadway Collective, a premier training program for aspiring theater professionals, and was recently named an associate artist at North Carolina Theatre. Passionate about arts education, equity, and representation, Hartwell is dedicated to shaping the future of Broadway while honoring the legacy of those who came before him.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Westbrook joins the pod squad to discuss the connection between addiction and the performing arts, the challenges of navigating sobriety in an industry where social drinking is common, and the impact of isolation on those in recovery.

Brian Westbrook is a North Carolina-based actor and advocate for addiction recovery. With a passion for both performance and service, he has used his own experience with addiction to help others seeking sobriety. A dedicated member of the theater community, Westbrook is committed to using storytelling as a tool for connection, healing, and breaking the stigma surrounding substance abuse. His work both on stage and in recovery spaces highlights the power of resilience, empathy, and second chances.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff A.R. Jones joins the pod squad to dive into the importance of emotional safety in rehearsal spaces, the evolving role of fight direction in storytelling, and how violence on stage can be used to spark meaningful conversations rather than glorify conflict.

Jeff A.R. Jones is a veteran fight choreographer with over 20 years of experience staging fights for ballet, theater, opera, film, and TV. As a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, he has trained some of the industry's top fight directors and performers. Jones is passionate about educating actors and directors on the intricacies of stage combat, ensuring that fight choreography enhances storytelling while prioritizing safety. His expertise has made him a sought-after consultant and educator in the performing arts world.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices