Fellows of the Black Theater Coalition and Broadway Across America Celebrate Inaugural Season | Broadway buzz

Producer Warren Adams addresses the JGO Fellows at a reception.
(Photos by Emilio Madrid for Broadway.com)

The inaugural cohort of Fellows for the previously announced Black Theater Coalition/Broadway Across America Fellowship, sponsored by the John Gore Organization, celebrated the Fellowship’s conclusion with a trip to New York City. The grant program began in January and resulted in Jessica Augustave, Cris Blak, Allison Currie, Je’Shaun Jackson, Rickey Orr and Viraj Shriwardhankar receiving paid part-time positions in commercial theater administration.

During their trip, the grantees attended events including a Black Industry Professional Panel with Brian Moreland, Irene Gandy, Aaliytha Stevens and Alia Jones-Harvey and met with leading industry experts including Barbara Whitman, Kumiko Yoshii, Brian Moreland, Nick Scandalios , Tom Schumacher, Jack Eldon and Meredith Blair/Brian Brooks. The group also had a mix with the Black Theater Coalition and their Fellowship cohort, including Warren Adams, T. Oliver Reid, Charlotte St. Martin, David Stone and BTC’s Board of Trustees.

“My co-founders Warren Adams, Reggie Van Lee and I are truly excited about what this partnership with Broadway Across America/John Gore Organization has offered this first cohort of young black professionals by placing them in regional BAA offices,” said T. Oliver Reid, BTC co-founder and artistic director, in a statement, “What started this year with six grantees, we look forward to doubling in more offices next year. Lauren Reid and the BAA team stepped feet first into this partnership and inspired us with their compassion and drive to make this program a reality. We look forward to an enduring partnership with BAA/JGO as we continue to break the illusion of inclusion in American Theater.”

The BTC/BAA Scholarship is pleased to announce that the next class of scholars will be welcomed to BAA in January 2023. Applications for the upcoming spring cycle are now available.