Open Stage Project Names Six Fellows for Fifth Annual Behind-the-Scenes Program
Fellows will work with BROADWAY BARES, the Jimmy Awards, and SheNYC Summer Festival, among others.
Open Stage Project, a New York City nonprofit with the mission to close the gender gap in behind-the-scenes careers, has selected six fellows to participate in its fifth annual paid fellowship program.
Open Stage Project funds the salaries, educational resources, and food and travel stipends for each participant, which provides an invaluable experience in jobs with entertainment productions that have no traditional internships as pathways to entry.
Susan Hilferty, Tony-winning designer and Open Stage Project board member stated, "Open Stage Project is changing the future of theatrical storytelling by breaking down gender barriers and equipping girls and non-binary students with skills for long-lasting careers in entertainment." Fellowships offer an unparalleled opportunity to gain real-world experience working behind-the-scenes and shadowing union professionals backstage on Broadway, television and film sets.
This year, Fellows will be placed in behind-the-scenes roles at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS "Broadway Bares," TV Boy, SheNYC Summer Festival, the Jimmy Awards, Turnkey Theatricals, and Smartsets.
Through the fellowship, Open Stage Project continues its commitment to providing access for young women and gender expansive student artists and technicians in pursuing behind-the-scenes careers in the entertainment industry. Open Stage Project has awarded 30 fellowships, with the majority to young women and non-binary students of color, and 94% of fellows have received job offers in the industry as a direct result of their fellowships.
Open Stage Project began in 2018 after founder Elsa Ward, a veteran Costume Designer, observed that the lack of women in behind-the-scenes careers had not changed since she entered the industry decades prior. With the support of the Entertainment Fund's Creative Entrepreneurship Program, Ward launched the Open Stage Project, which has grown into a robust organization serving students in over 80 NYCDOE public schools and partnerships with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Workforce Development Institute, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
Ane Hayes is a rising junior at Ursinus College majoring in Theatre, and served as Assistant Stage Manager for "The Patient and Afternoon" by the Seaside Double Bill and production stage manager for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Beacon School. Ane hopes to develop a career as a stage manager or dramaturgy.
Jolie Padilla is a student at New York City School of Technology and has been mentored by Open Stage Project since 2021. She is pursuing electrical, board operating, and sound engineering.
Juliet Grace Grochowski, holds a BFA in Stage Management from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been a mentee within Open Stage Project since 2020, recently made their Off-Broadway debut with Open Stage Project as the Assistant Stage Manager for CHASING GRACE.
Molly Sample is an Entertainment and Arts Management major at Drexel University where she works with the Drexel Theatre program, the Pennoni Honors College, Drexel Night Live, and Flux. Molly serves in a variety of theatrical roles in these organizations, from producer to lighting technician, and plans on pursuing a career in theatre management.
Rachel Kelly is a Film Production major at Loyola Marymount University. As an aspiring cinematographer, she enjoys creating intentional visuals with symbolism in order to tell engaging stories.
Sumi Kangbai is a rising sophomore at Purchase College completing a BFA in Theatre Design/Technology with a concentration in Scenic Design.
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