Alicia Keys' Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation has joined forces with the upcoming Broadway musical 'Wanted' to offer transformative opportunities for early-career theater professionals, New York youth artists, and community groups. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between emerging artists and Broadway, fostering mentorship, access, and hands-on professional experience. The collaboration will commence with the third year of the Kaleidoscope Dreams Fellowship program, providing paid roles for five New York-based, early-career theater professionals to work on 'Wanted'. Fellows will have the chance to specialize in various areas such as Community Partnerships, Script and Dramaturgy, Lighting Design, Projection Design, or Scenic Design, working closely with mentors to refine their skills and gain industry insights. Applications for the fellowship are open until July 31, with selections to be announced on August 14. Visit KD-Foundation.org for more details.
The partnership is a significant step in the right direction, as it addresses the need for mentorship and professional development in the commercial theater industry. By providing these opportunities, the foundation is empowering emerging artists and helping to build a stronger, more diverse theater community. This initiative is particularly exciting given the foundation's mission to center diverse cultural narratives and create pathways into the arts, as inspired by Keys' Tony Award-nominated musical 'Hell's Kitchen'.
The Broadway production of 'Wanted' is set to arrive at the James Earl Jones Theatre this fall, with performances beginning October 15 and an official opening night on November 8. The musical features a book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri, music by Ross Baum, and choreography by Chelsey Arce. The cast includes Solea Pfeiffer and Liisi LaFontaine as the Black twin sisters, Mary and Martha Clarke, who passed as white in 1893 Texas. This production builds upon the foundation laid by the earlier workshop and cast, which included LaFontaine as Martha Clarke, Ciara Renée as Mary Clarke, and a talented ensemble.
This partnership between the Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation and 'Wanted' is a testament to the power of collaboration in the arts. By bringing together the foundation's commitment to diversity and mentorship with the musical's focus on creating opportunity, they are creating a platform for emerging artists to thrive and for the theater industry to benefit from their talent. As the production prepares for its Broadway debut, it will be fascinating to see the impact of this partnership on the theater landscape and the lives of the artists involved.
