Executive Director

Carly Rapaport-Stein (she/her) is the Executive Director of Journey Arts. Carly is also an adjunct assistant professor in Shenandoah University’s Performing Arts Leadership & Management, and an adjunct instructor in Drexel University’s Arts Administration and Museum Leadership program. In addition to her 15 years of experience in the nonprofit world, Carly was also a voice, piano, and music theory teacher.

Carly is passionate about Philadelphia’s civic life, with a particular interest in arts organizations that seek an intersection between creative work and social justice. She served on the board of the Musical Fund Society from 2022-25, on the board of Cedar Park Neighbors, and as President of the Board of Drexel University's Arts Administration Graduate Association. Carly’s been a grant panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, and the Musical Fund Society. Carly holds a Bachelor's of Music in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College, a Master's of Music in Opera Performance from Temple University, and a Master's of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University. In 2020, Carly was named to Drexel’s “40 Under 40” list, which recognizes the accomplishments of young alumni. She lives with her family in West Philadelphia.

Artistic Director

Marla Burkholder (she/her) is the Artistic Director for Journey Arts.  Marla’s work as an arts administrator, educator and advocate began with a performance focus in theater.  She co-founded and led Shakespeare in Clark Park as Producing Artistic Director, performer and curator for 10 years.  She also previously directed the education program at 1812 Productions; acted in and coached dialect performance for numerous Philadelphia area theater productions; and worked as a teaching artist throughout the region.  As an associate instructor of Fitzmaurice Voicework, Marla teaches voice and speech technique to theater students at Temple University and Rider University.  She has a particular interest in supporting small arts organizations focused on building and transforming community, and currently serves on the advisory boards for Team Sunshine Performance Corporation and Shakespeare in Clark Park.  Marla holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theater from Eastern Mennonite University and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Temple University.  She lives with her husband and two children in West Philly where they are active members of West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship.

Director of Creative Projects

Nia Benjamin (they/them) is an agender, Black organizer, administrator, performance and multimedia artist, living and working in Philadelphia, PA.

Nia is the co-artistic director ofNinth Planet, an experimental performance company that creates opportunities for people of color, women, queer and trans* people in Philadelphia to participate in the making, performing, and producing of original works of performance.

As an artist, their aim is to create accessible, challenging work that invites non-traditional audiences into creative practices. Through collaborative making practices, Nia works with all kinds of communities in the creation of new performance and installation works. Prior to their time at Journey Arts, Nia worked with the Leeway Foundation, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and Girls Who Code, and is a graduate of the Ira Brind School of Theatre at the University of the Arts.