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.