About me
Robert Hartwell is the host and executive producer of Breaking New Ground, a six-episode series co-produced by the Oprah Winfrey Network and HGTV, premiering on Max in May 2024. The series chronicles Robert’s journey of renovating an 1820 historic home with a complex history, blending artistry, storytelling, and restoration.
In 2016, Robert founded The Broadway Collective, which skyrocketed to the Inc. 5000 list with 440% growth. In 2022, he expanded his expertise by launching Strength On Stages, the premier speaker training program for entrepreneurs and VCs, helping them sell more authentically and effectively from the stage.
As a Broadway veteran, Robert has graced the stage in five musicals (Dreamgirls, Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Cinderella, Motown), and the National Tour of Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler. He also appeared in Pharrell and Jay-Z’s hit single “Entrepreneur,” showcasing his versatility as a performer.
Robert’s work as a director and choreographer has been showcased at Lincoln Center, Music Theatre Wichita, North Carolina Theatre, The University of Michigan, and the Fulton Theatre. His direction and choreography for For Colored Boyz won the Fulton Theatre’s inaugural Stories of Diversity Playwriting Festival.
A proud graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and The University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre department, Robert graduated summa cum laude and received the Willis Patterson Diversity Award.
Robert is a member of Actors Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, and the Tony Award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices.
Whether performing, speaking, or mentoring, Robert continues to inspire with his unwavering commitment to creativity, diversity, and excellence.
