The Black Theatre Coalition has announced its inaugural cohort of fellows in partnerships with Broadway productions, which will see early-career Black theatre artists placed with productions in various behind-the-scenes roles for one year with a $50,000 salary.
Placed through the program are Jordan Booker Medley, working with Wicked's company management team; Brandon Kelly, who will serve as assistant choreographer at Come From Away; Jourdan Miller and Amina Alexander, working with the scenic and lighting designers, respectively, at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Moulin Rouge!; John Bronston and Nia Blizzard, working with the music direction and stage management teams at, respectively, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical; and Lori Tishfield, joining the marketing team at Disney Theatrical Group to work on ongoing marketing efforts for Disney's Broadway productions. Amy Marie Haven and Tyra Ann Marie Wilson, previously announced as part of BTC's inaugural Producing Fellow Cohort, have also been placed with The Music Man production company Iowa Stubborn LLC and Disney Theatrical Group, respectively, with Wilson working specifically in support of the national tour of The Lion King.
Run by BTC Co-Founders T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reginald "Reggie" Van Lee with Executive Director Olivia Jones and Program Director Lico Whitfield, BTC's expansive fellowship initiatives seek to address racial inequalities offstage in the theatre industry. These fellows join previously announced Producing and General Management fellows.
"We are so proud to be participating in BTC’s fellowship program," says Disney Theatrical Productions President and Producer Thomas Schumacher. "During my initial conversation with T. Oliver and Warren, I was inspired by the clarity of the strategy and breadth of their vision. But then, to see what they have already accomplished in their mission to bring about tangible change to our industry is just incredible."
Funding partners for the program include Madison Wells Media, Disney Theatrical Group, Jujamcyn Theatres, Bespoke Theatricals, Foresight Theatrical, 101 Productions, RCI Theatricals, ShowTown Theatricals, Thompson Turner Productions, Sony Music Group, Adventureland, Mara Isaacs, Tom Kirdahy Productions, Hal Luftig Company, Doug Denoff, Hunter Arnold, Daryl Roth Productions, Stage Entertainment, Moulin Rouge!, Come From Away, Hamilton, Tara Rubin Casting, Telsey + Co, Spotco, DKC/O&M, Broadway Women’s Alliance, Bond Theatrical Group, American Express, and The Theatre Leadership Project.
For more information, visit BlackTheatreCoalition.org.
