NYWIFT Blog

By Katie Chambers

This month, NYWIFT announced the results of our latest Board Elections. This included the election of new board member Toni Isreal! Toni has been a NYWIFT member for over five years and we are thrilled to have her join our leadership team.

Isreal is no stranger to arts and entertainment. The former accounting specialist sought and secured key apprenticeship opportunities to thrive from her greatest interests in film, television, and theater, leading to decades of experience in group sales and brand management. Isreal is the Founder of REALEMN Productions, Broadway and Touring with a focus on partnerships, marketing, PR, and producing.

Having established an accomplished track record, Isreal recently launched REALEMN Enterprises that aligns REALEMN’s partnerships across theatre, television, film, and music. In addition to being a proud member of NYWIFT, Isreal is a co-founder of The Industry Standard Group (TISG), a Broadway League Associate Member, an awardee of the Central New Jersey Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women for Excellence in Economic Empowerment, and a highly sought-after guest presenter for conversations around arts and entertainment. REALEMN’s client roster includes the hottest musicals on Broadway such as Tony Award-Winning MJ The Musical and 8 Time Tony Award-Winning Hadestown to name a few. Additionally, REALEMN championed community engagement and strategy for Hadestown’s tour, and multiple regional theatres along the east coast, as well as San Diego’s  The Ole Globe and St. Louis’ Fox Theatre. Isreal’s impressive slate includes a co-producing credit with Hadestown Tour and London’s (ReACT); LA’s The Secret Garden Musical.

She also is currently attached to the Broadway-bound Musical, The Hippest Trip – SOUL TRAIN with more ‘raises’ in the works. Previously, Isreal was a consultant with New York’s World-Famous Apollo Theater, where she secured over a million dollars in sales as well as Managing Director of Walker International Communications Group (WICG.) Toni is a proud member of CTI – Commercial Theater Institute. Toni Isreal advocates delivering engaging experiences that encourage audiences to secure their seats and tune in.

Toni sat down with us to discuss her latest role.

NYWIFT Board Member Toni R. Israel

How did you first get involved with NYWIFT?

I first learned of NYWIFT from a colleague who knew I wanted to learn and transition to film and television. After joining, I met with Katie [Chambers, Senior Director of Community & PR] for lunch and jumped into the Muse Awards by connecting Broadway shows I was involved with by donating a voucher to the raffle.

Why do you love NYWIFT?

It’s the network of women for me – they are awesome! Women helping women in a field that dominated by men – priceless!!

Tell us about what you do outside of the organization.

I’m a Broadway Co-Producer and Investor and I do Marketing, Promotions and Group Sales. 

What is your fondest memory of working in the entertainment industry?

Being in the entertainment field, especially Broadway when you and your team are working closely with cast members, my fondest memory is meeting the legends : The Late Ms. Cicely Tyson, The Late Ms. Ruby Dee and The Little Rock Nine (I met seven). 

Just being in their presence and having a conversation – priceless!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Didn’t know exactly, however I knew my path was in New York! I was in the financial field before Broadway.

Inequality in film, television and digital media has long been a problem, and righting that imbalance has always been a big part of NYWIFT’s mission. What are your thoughts on the challenges we face? And what are some possible solutions you find effective?

What NYWIFT has done is amazing. I want to learn, help grow and strengthen the relationships we have and execute more partnerships for NYWIFT. Also helping to bring new and excited members to NYWIFT – we are stronger by numbers!

What’s the best movie or series you’ve seen recently? Why?

Had to watch Civil War – won’t say it’s the best movie I have seen recently, however it’s the most realistic movie of these times…

What did you do this Summer?

Enjoyed a much-needed vacation! My husband and I traveled to Jamaica for my birthday. We love Sandals Negril. 

Connect with Toni Isreal on Facebook and on Instagram at @isrealtoni, and check out her website www.toniisreal.com.