Strength On Stages is a masterclass on storytelling, public speaking, pitching, and selling from the stage.
If you’re afraid to tell your story, come to NYC and we will coach you through your fears.
If you don’t know which story you need to be telling, come to NYC and we will help you uncover it.
We teach you how to feel confident when speaking to an audience—whether it’s an audience of one person, ten people, or millions.
“Robert is truly amazing! He’s very thoughtful and very personable. He is truly in his gift and his superpower is storytelling. Thank you for giving me the space to tell this story.”
“To make a story come to life that was hard to tell is just so beautiful. Thank you, Robert, to you and your team for what you have given me. I am so grateful.”
“Robert is the most amazing artist! Just the talent and ability to shape a story and pull it out- he’s able to access it in such a way and it’s just magnificent to watch.”
“My experience with Robert Hartwell has been nothing short of amazing. He comes across as this huge personality, but really he’s very soft and very gentle; you can feel his energy. He is very caring and just really in tune; he makes you feel seen.”
“Robert is truly amazing! He’s very thoughtful and very personable. He is truly in his gift and his superpower is storytelling. Thank you for giving me the space to tell this story.”
“To make a story come to life that was hard to tell is just so beautiful. Thank you, Robert, to you and your team for what you have given me. I am so grateful.”
“Robert is the most amazing artist! Just the talent and ability to shape a story and pull it out- he’s able to access it in such a way and it’s just magnificent to watch.”
“My experience with Robert Hartwell has been nothing short of amazing. He comes across as this huge personality, but really he’s very soft and very gentle; you can feel his energy. He is very caring and just really in tune; he makes you feel seen.”
What kind of visibility do you want to create for yourself and/or your company? What’s holding you back from going after it?
What is THE story that you need to be telling at this moment in your career?
What is the best way to craft your story so that it has a clear message and call to action?
Practice sharing your story aloud to build confidence.
Rehearse your story in a small, supportive setting. Get 1:1 in-person coaching from Robert to make it even stronger.
Today is the big day. Celebrate the incredible momentum you’ve created over 4 weeks by sharing your story on camera. You will have expert hair and make-up, videography, photography, as well as the 1:1 support of Robert on the stage.
What do you want to be known for and how do you want your brand imagery to help shape your narrative?
What’s the best way to describe your skills and impact? We will workshop, edit, and complete this together.
What are 3 topics that you’d love to speak about on podcasts, radio, TV, and onstage? We will ideate and execute together.
Let’s package your copy so that journalists, producers, and event bookers look at your Media Kit and think, “I need their story.” We will workshop, edit, and complete this together.
“Robert is highly trained and he takes his craft very seriously. He is someone who really cares about those who he serves.”
“After working with Robert, it’s such a joy to experience somebody’s true craft. Robert truly is a storyteller. I have not experienced that before and to witness him work with us in such an intimate way was such an honor.”
“Very much feels like I know what the next thing is.”
“Robert, I’m just overwhelmed and thankful that you got me to a place to tell this story. This is the authenticity and transparency that I want in the next season of my life and I am so grateful.”
“Robert is highly trained and he takes his craft very seriously. He is someone who really cares about those who he serves.”
“After working with Robert, it’s such a joy to experience somebody’s true craft. Robert truly is a storyteller. I have not experienced that before and to witness him work with us in such an intimate way was such an honor.”
“Very much feels like I know what the next thing is.”
“Robert, I’m just overwhelmed and thankful that you got me to a place to tell this story. This is the authenticity and transparency that I want in the next season of my life and I am so grateful.”
Robert Hartwell is an award-winning Broadway performer, choreographer, director, producer, and entrepreneur. He is the host and executive producer of Taking Back the House, a television show presented by OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, HGTV, and Scott Brothers Entertainment.
From stage to screen, Robert creates jaw-dropping moments that leave audiences awestruck and inspired. You’ve seen Hartwell in Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals and featured in Pharrell and Jay-Z’s hit music video, “Entrepreneur.”
You might know Robert from his viral social media post. After purchasing a 200-year-old colonial mansion (which was built back when slavery was still legal Federally in the US), Robert inspired millions with his message of reinvention, liberation, and hope. As a Black gay man, he vowed to fill this home with love, honor his ancestors, tell their stories, and say their names.
Robert is the founder of The Broadway Collective, a musical theater education company for teens. The company made the Inc 5000 List for its rapid growth: 440% revenue increase in 3 years. He’s a seasoned educator who understands how to bring out the greatness inside each client – whether they’re a teenager or grown-up. After working with Robert, 97% of his students get into the top musical theatre college programs in the country—with scholarships.
As a director and choreographer his work has been seen at Lincoln Center in NYC, the Kennedy Center in DC, and numerous theaters across the country.
Robert’s work has been featured in countless media outlets including Good Morning America, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, People, and more.
Robert divides his time between New York City, Los Angeles, and his new home in Massachusetts.
Robert (he/him) is the host and executive producer of “Taking Back The House” co-produced by the Oprah Winfrey Network and HGTV. The 6 episode series will air on Discovery+ and chronicle his journey of renovating a historic home built in 1820 with a complicated history.
In 2016, he founded The Broadway Collective which hit the Inc. 5000 list with 440% growth and recently launched a new company Strength On Stages where he is coaching entrepreneurs and VC to tell more authentic stories from the stage.
Robert has performed in 5 musicals on Broadway and 2 National Tours: Dreamgirls, Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Cinderella, Motown, and Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler. He is also featured in Pharrell and Jay-Z’s latest hit single–“Entrepreneur”.
As a Director/Choreographer his work has been seen at Lincoln Center, Music Theatre Wichita, North Carolina Theatre, The University of Michigan, and Fulton Theatre. Most recently he directed and choreographed For Colored Boyz and won the Fulton Theatre’s inaugural Stories of Diversity Playwriting Festival.
Robert is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and The University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre department where he earned summa cum laude honors and the Willis Patterson Diversity Award.
He is a member of Actors Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, and the Tony Award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices.
Dallin Hals (he/him) is an event producer & storytelling coach. His mission is to create magical, unforgettable moments that audiences never forget. He loves taking a client’s vision and bringing it to life — exceeding even their highest expectations. Dallin has produced a wide range of events — from multi-million dollar celebrity weddings, to educational conferences with hundreds of students and parents, to national tours with 18 stops across the U.S.
As the Director of Operations for The Broadway Collective, Dallin produced in-person (and online) events that helped the company to hit the Inc 5000 List as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America with 440% growth.
Dallin began his career as a classically-trained Shakespeare actor before transitioning into events and education. Because of his background in the performing arts, he knows how to connect with an audience, tell stories in a grounded + authentic way, and create experiences that people remember for years.
Liza (she/her) is a Sales, Operations and Leadership Coach who has spent the last 15 years working for some of the most recognizable brands including Vera Wang and Design Within Reach. Liza has spent her career building systems and helping sales teams exceed their goals with ease.
In addition to her work with brands and corporations, Liza is a successful entrepreneur who has built a 7 figure business using the same systems, sales and confidence mindset approach she equips corporate teams with.
Elizabeth (she/her) is a certified life coach with a gift for helping entrepreneurs live in their unapologetic authenticity. Elizabeth’s expertise spans over 20 years as she is a natural leader and nurturer. Her storytelling superpower is empathy. When she works with clients, she deeply listens to their needs and helps pinpoint a story that is not only healing but also freeing.
Elizabeth is the mother of our founder, Robert Hartwell, and was instrumental in helping him create a very successful Broadway career and provide support in building his first multi 7-figure company.
She will help you visualize a larger stage for yourself and how to get your story out with confidence and groundedness.
Desiree Elder (she/her) is screenwriter, Pastor and Executive Director whose work focuses on Black women’s experiences with sex, religion and mental health. She attended Cal State Northridge where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a Pan African Studies minor. She found another love in dance and her journey landed her in the most unexpected of places: New York City and seminary.
In 2012, she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Divinity with a focus on the arts. Since then, she has served as both an Associate Pastor of Innovation and Arts at an unconventional church committed to social justice and the arts, and Executive Director of The Dream Center, a non-profit designed to awaken dreams. Her work has been highlighted in Ebony, Essence, The Daily Post and a host of other places.
“Robert Hartwell has a gift and you have to experience it to really understand it. Obviously you can see that he’s such a talented person and a bright, amazing human being. But once you get in his presence, once he works with you directly on your story, you start to realize how truly transformational his gift is.”
“I’ve always had everything I’ve needed, but here I’m getting all the things that I want. I heard Robert speak, and he said: If a door closes, open a window. Robert has shown me time and time again how to find your yes- he’s got a gift in that.”
“Robert’s got a gift at bringing out the best in people. It’s been an honor. I feel like a better person. He’s helping to elevate voices of color in ways that just need to happen. There’s not enough voices of color on stages. It’s gonna be incredible, he’s changing the world!”
“Working with Robert Hartwell has been life changing!”
“Robert Hartwell has a gift and you have to experience it to really understand it. Obviously you can see that he’s such a talented person and a bright, amazing human being. But once you get in his presence, once he works with you directly on your story, you start to realize how truly transformational his gift is.”
“I’ve always had everything I’ve needed, but here I’m getting all the things that I want. I heard Robert speak, and he said: If a door closes, open a window. Robert has shown me time and time again how to find your yes- he’s got a gift in that.”
“Robert’s got a gift at bringing out the best in people. It’s been an honor. I feel like a better person. He’s helping to elevate voices of color in ways that just need to happen. There’s not enough voices of color on stages. It’s gonna be incredible, he’s changing the world!”
“Working with Robert Hartwell has been life changing!”
We have three things to say to you:
1 / As an entrepreneur, success means taking action before you feel completely ready because you will never feel 100% ready.
2 / You can create the time that you need. Two days in NYC? This is doable.
3 / You can’t afford NOT to make time for this. If you want more clients, more sales, more visibility, more press coverage, then you need strong storytelling and speaking skills to make it happen. Do this Masterclass now to set yourself up for greater success in the years ahead.
If you want to improve your speaking skills…you want more clients and customers…you want more visibility for your work…then you belong in this room.
This is an opportunity to step it up and GET FANCY.
Let us coach you and package you like the VIP you are, even if you can’t see it yet.
Because each Masterclass is very intimate 15 clients (10 Classic and 5 VIP), 2:1 client-to-staff ratio) we provide a great deal of individual attention to each person.
We meet you where you are on your journey—and help you get to the next level.
You started your own business (and want more clients)? You’re curious about doing paid speaking engagements (but haven’t booked any yet)? You’re ready to deliver that TEDx Talk (but nervous to do it)? You’re already a seasoned media veteran who’s been on national TV? Wherever you’re at, there is always more to learn and room to grow.
You can create the funding that you need. This is what entrepreneurs do. We create solutions out of thin air.
There are plenty of ways to get the money you need for this Masterclass including: ask colleagues, friends, and family to invest in your business, do a fundraiser, sell services to raise capital, make a big ASK and get a sponsor to cover the cost, ask your employer to reimburse you, and more.
Don’t decide it’s impossible before you even try.
The value of your work has absolutely nothing to do with what you weigh.
You deserve to be seen and heard, right now, at your current size—and in every season of your life.
We live in a Patriarchal society which means you’ve been lied to—and you’ve been taught that your worthiness is connected to your size. It is not. Reject the Patriarchal bullsh*t and get yourself to this Masterclass in NYC!
This Masterclass in NYC is a 2 day experience (face to face) plus 4 weeks of exciting prep work before you arrive and 4 weeks of post-production support.
Before and after NYC, the time commitment each week is minimal. Think: 2-3 hours per week in the prep work and 1-2 hours per week in the post-production support. Short time frame.
You will not get bored or lose momentum. You will not get lost in the shuffle, because we only admit 15 clients per session(10 Classic and 5 VIP) and each client gets 1:1 attention.
Every human being has a story to tell. (Not just one, but hundreds of stories.)
You need someone to prompt you with the right questions and pull these stories out of you.
Not every story is bold and flashy. Some are quiet stories. Stories about ordinary everyday moments. These stories are very powerful, too.
There are thousands of places where you can go tell your story: meetings, interviews, podcasts, stages, to your clients, to your team.
When you get professional training on public speaking and storytelling, this means you:
All of this translates into millions in revenue for your company. Speaking is a skill that leads to money.
Yes! Here’s the entire experience from start to finish.
PREP WORK
You get 4 weeks of prep work (online) before the Masterclass in NYC. Each week includes 1:1 attention and coaching from the Strength On Stages team.
Week 1 – Visibility – What kind of visibility do you want to create for yourself and/or your company? What’s holding you back from going after it?
Week 2 – Your Signature Story – What is THE story that you need to be telling at this moment in your career?
Week 3 – Writing Your Story – What is the best way to craft your story so that it has a clear message and call to action?
Week 4 – Rehearsing Your Story – Practice sharing your story aloud to build confidence.
MASTERCLASS IN NEW YORK CITY
Spend 2 transformational days in NYC with Robert Hartwell and his team. Learn how to tell stories like a pro and clear the emotional blocks that cause you to play small. More than just a class—this is a mindset makeover.
Day 1: Rehearsal – Share your story in a small, supportive setting. Get coaching to make it even stronger.
Day 2: Production – Practice being in front of a camera. We capture a few clips of you looking and feeling your best.
AFTER THE MASTERCLASS
4 weeks of post-production to package you like the VIP you are (even if you don’t realize it yet). Each week includes 1:1 attention and coaching from the Strength On Stages team.
Week 1 – Brand Intake – What do you want to be known for?
Week 2 – Writing Your Powerful Bio – What’s the best way to describe your skills and credentials?
Week 3 – Unlocking Your 3 Speaker Topics – What are 3 topics that you’d love to speak about on podcasts, radio, TV, and onstage?
Week 4 – Writing Your Media Kit – Let’s package you so that a journalist looks at your kit and thinks, “I need to interview you ASAP.”
REVEAL PARTY
The big moment! 4 weeks after we complete our post-production work your new PR materials are ready. We do a reveal party and present to you:
Classic Participants
2 minute edited Signature Story video
5 edited headshot and lifestyle photos
Brand Guide
Media kit
VIP Participants
2 minute edited “Signature Story” video
2 minute edited “Personality Piece” video
10 edited headshot and lifestyle photos
Speaker Landing Page
Brand Guide
Media kit
Now you are ready to go pitch yourself to the media, get booked for interviews and speaking engagements, lock in sponsorship deals, or talk to a client or investor and make a big ASK.
See the full breakdown to choose if you will be a Classic or VIP Participant.
The first step is to apply to become a client. In the app, tell us about yourself and your goals.
We’ll review your info. If you’re a good fit for Strength On Stages: the Masterclass in NYC, we will email you a registration link and you will have 48 hours to complete your registration. If you don’t secure your spot within those 48 hours we will go to the next participant on the list.
Classic Participation is $15,000
VIP Participation is $25,000
Thanks to our partnership with Wizebank, we offer a variety of flexible payment options including a 12-month payment plan with no added interest or fees.
Your personal ‘stage’ might be meeting with a client and asking them to hire you, coffee with a potential investor, a keynote presentation, giving a pep talk to your employees, or something else.
I want to help you step onto that stage feeling completely prepared—knowing what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it.
I want you to feel poised, powerful, and strong. Looking and feeling your absolute best. So that you can seize that moment and absolutely nail it—and get whatever result you want.
I want you to know, ‘I did everything possible to prepare for this moment and I gave my all’.
Join me in New York City for Strength On Stages.
This is a masterclass where you learn skills that you’ll use every single day of your life.
I think storytelling is one of the most vulnerable decisions we make as business owners. I find it deeply important to know who you are working with and what our company stands for.
We believe that Black lives matter.
We believe that Black trans people must be protected.
We believe a woman has the right to make decisions regarding her own body.
We believe in science.
We believe in equality.
We believe in kindness.
A portion of proceeds from Strength On Stages goes to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute which supports Black transgender people.
They are our most vulnerable community. Our stories must help protect them. It’s our duty.