Broadway's Upcoming Hell's Kitchen Launches Fellowship Program

Broadway's upcoming Alicia Keys musical Hell's Kitchen has created a Fellowship Program that will place fellows from historically overlooked communities to work with the production's direction, choreography, scenic design, costume design, lighting design, sound design, projection design, and company management, executive producing, and public relations departments. The initiative hopes to strengthen the Broadway employment pipeline while making it more equitable.

Applications are currently being accepted for the positions via HellsKitchen.com.

"In bringing Hell’s Kitchen to Broadway, I’ve experienced firsthand the collaboration across the many disciplines of theatre that goes into creating a big, new Broadway musical," says Keys in a statement. "I’m also aware of the lack of representation across our industry, and it quickly became a priority to establish this Fellowship program to offer guidance to underrepresented theatre makers and create opportunities to deepen the impact of the art we are creating. We want to continue to challenge our industry to make a commitment to change and we are starting at home, at Hell’s Kitchen."

“Making this critical space for art makers to have direct access to Broadway greats is a proud moment for us as advocates and people of color," adds Associate General Manager Devon Miller and Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Alexa Smith in a joint statement. "This program marks a major milestone on the road to a more inclusive and representative industry for all."

Hell's Kitchen is poised to come to Broadway following a world premiere at Off-Broadway's Public Theater last year. Performances begin at the Shubert Theatre March 28 ahead of an April 20 opening night.

The show is inspired by the 15-time Grammy winner's life and features a score of her best-known songs together with several new tunes. The story centers on 17-year-old Ali and her mother sharing a cramped apartment near Times Square. Ali wants to live out her NYC dream, but Mom is scared her daughter will repeat her own mistakes. Kristoffer Diaz wrote the book.

Michael Greif is at the helm, and Camille A. Brown is choreographing. Casting for the Broadway bow has not yet been announced.

Greif's complete creative team will reprise their work on the Main Stem. The music team includes orchestrators Adam Blackstone and Tom Kitt, with arrangements by Keys and Blackstone. The creative team also includes scenic designer Robert Brill, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Gareth Owen, projection designer Peter Nigrini, and hair and wig designer Mia Neal. Foresight Theatrical is general manager.

AKW Productions is producing the Broadway run, with Aaron Lustbader serving as executive producer.

Visit HellsKitchen.com.

See photos from the Off-Broadway world premiere: