The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship

*Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship Program Alumni pictured

The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship

The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship is a professional training pipeline program intending to support a robust theatrical ecology that reflects the full spectrum of the American spirit. The goal of Arena Stage's fellowship program is to cultivate the next generation of theater professionals by providing the highest standard of training through immersion in the art and business of producing theater. Successful candidates are highly motivated individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts. Candidates from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.

Founding of the Allen Lee Hughes Fellowships

In 1990, Arena Stage’s Founder and Artistic Director, Zelda Fichandler and Artistic Associate, Tazwell Thompson, co-founded the theater’s fellowship program for individuals of color. This initiative was a crucial step to realizing Arena Stage’s founding principle of being a fully integrated theater company. The fellowships, which provide the opportunity annually for diverse candidates from around the country to apprentice at Arena Stage, have profoundly impacted the field at large. Over thirty-five years, Arena has created a pipeline of highly trained artisans, artists, and administrators.

The training program was named after the talented Associate Artist/Lighting Designer, Allen Lee Hughes, who started his career at Arena in 1969 as an electrician. It was at Arena Stage that Allen’s personal growth sparked his evolution from electrician to world-renowned designer.

What We Offer

The program offers personalized training and in-depth, hands-on experience with top-tier professionals in artistic and technical production, arts administration, arts education, and community outreach.

Additionally, all fellows receive:

Mentorship from Arena Stage staff members, including senior staff
Professional development workshops and educational sessions led by Arena Stage staff members and guest artists
Monthly meetings with directors, designers, and senior staff administrators who provide insight into the overall management of the theater
A weekly fellowship stipend of $700. Please note that housing is not provided.
Complimentary tickets to Arena Stage’s productions

Structure of the Fellowship

The fellowship is full time and requires a dedication of 38-43 weeks from August to May
Fellowships will average 40 hours a week over the course of the fellowship
- Depending on department and/or time in the season, some weeks may require more or fewer than 40 hours.
Fellows will have layers of support in their training and professional development:

Supervisor: A staff member in department that is primarily responsible for fellow’s learning experience.
Mentor: The most senior member of their department.
Training Programs Manager: A dedicated advocate and support for the fellow cohort, who also provides social and professional development opportunities for the group

Who Should Apply?

Recent graduates and career changers are encouraged to apply. Please note: this is a full-time position, and we are not able to consider applicants who are currently enrolled in school
Candidates from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply

2024/25 Allen Lee Hughes Fellows

Name: Jane Gerrard

Position: Multimedia Design Fellow

Name: Winta Habtemichael

Position: Senior Community Programs Fellow

Name: Danait Haddish

Position: Marketing & Media Fellow

Name: Rachel Halili

Position: General and Company Management Fellow

Name: Christian Henrriquez

Position: Lighting Fellow

Name: Nate Huff

Position: Development Fellow

Name: Esteban Marmolejo-Suarez

Position: School Programs Fellow

Name: Abbie Thomas

Position: Artistic Fellow

Fellowship Applications for the 2025/26 Season are Now Closed

Check Back in January 2026 for 2026/27 applications!

Please email training@arenastage.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Paige Hernandez - The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship Program Alum

Jamil Jude - The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship Program Alum

Otis Ramsey Zöe - The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship Program Alum

FAQs

A writing sample should be about 2 pages that you have written that show your writing skills. The sample could be part of an essay, an analysis or research paper, an article, a study guide, a theater review, a press release or a grant proposal. Ideally it should be related to the fellowship you are pursuing. Please do not submit scripts or creative writing samples unless requested.

While a degree could be helpful, no theater or other degree is required to be an Allen Lee Hughes Fellow. Our fellowships are crafted for those aiming at a career in professional theater. Please share any skills or experiences you may have that would allow you to succeed as a fellow at Arena Stage in your resume and cover letter. All relevant administrative, creative, educational and work experience will be considered.

No, we have no designated fellow parking. Parking in Southwest D.C. can be hard to find and expensive if you find it. There are some options around the theater, but many people find that their best transportation choice to be the Metro or the bus system. The Green Line serves the Waterfront metro station, which is about a block from the theater. Learn more about Metro here

Please email training@arenastage.org if you have additional questions or concerns.

Meet Allen Lee Hughes

Allen Lee Hughes (far left), Fellowship alumni and friends of the program celebrate its 25th anniversary during the 2015/16 Season.

A lighting designer and teacher of lighting design, Allen Lee Hughes has a B.A. from Catholic University and a M.F.A. from New York University. He received the USITT Distinguished Achievement Award in Lighting Design for 2003. He is the recipient of the 1997 Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration, two Washington Helen Hayes Awards, and four Tony nominations. Broadway credits include Ohio State Murders, Topdog/Underdog, A Soldier’s Play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Clybourne Park, Having Our Say, Mule Bone, Once on This Island, K2, Strange Interlude, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, and Quilters. His work has been seen at major theaters throughout the country, including Seattle Rep, New York Shakespeare Festival, Guthrie Theater, Shakespeare Theater, Goodman, and Lincoln Center Theater. His dance designs include works for American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Ballet Tech, Hartford Ballet, and Pilobolus Dance Theatre. Allen teaches at New York University and is very proud to have the Arena Stage fellows program named in his honor.

The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship