Culture Shift with Olga | White Eagle Hall, JCTC, Theater Culture, Ukraine & Breaking Borders

Send us Fan MailCulture Shift host Duda Penteado sits down with Olga, creator and founder of the Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC), for a profound conversation on her artistic roots, the creation of White Eagle Hall, and the role of art in fostering global peace.  Follow Culture Shift:Linktree: http://linktr.ee/Culture_Shift_PodcastInstagram: / culture_shift_podcastFacebook: / cultureshiftpodcastTikTok: / cultureshift_dudaIn this episode, Olga discusses her early life in Ukraine and Belarus, where her mother and grandfather first sparked her lifelong passion for the theater. She shares the miraculous, against-all-odds story of acquiring and restoring White Eagle Hall with her husband Ben during the 2008 economic crash. Olga also delves into the importance of global cultural exchange, the resilience of her family in war-torn Ukraine, and JCTC's vision for its upcoming 20th-anniversary celebration.  This episode covers: • Discovering a profound connection to theater at just three years old in Belarus and Ukraine • The differences between European ensemble theater and American Broadway styles • The struggles and "miracles" behind purchasing and restoring White Eagle Hall as a cultural landmark • Exploring cultural diversity, sharing stories, and breaking borders through the arts • Uncovering family secrets surrounding the Ukrainian Holodomor and the Holocaust • Finding inspiration in the resilience of Ukrainian artists working through the current war • A look ahead at JCTC's 20th Anniversary Gala on March 10th and the upcoming international festival  Watch, subscribe, and stay connected for more conversations with creatives, artists, founders, and culture builders.#CultureShift #JerseyCity #JCTC #WhiteEagleHall #TheaterArts #ArtAsActivism #PodcastSupport the show