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:
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Mentorship from Arena Stage staff members, including senior staff
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Professional development workshops and educational sessions led by Arena Stage staff members and guest artists
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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.
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Complimentary tickets to Arena Stage’s productions
Structure of the Fellowship
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The fellowship is full time and requires a dedication of 38 weeks.
- 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.
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Fellows will have layers of support in their training and professional development:
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Supervisor: A staff member in department that is primarily responsible for fellow’s learning experience.
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Mentor: The most senior member of their department.
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Training Programs Manager: A dedicated advocate and support for the fellow cohort, who also provides social and professional development opportunities for the group
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
2025/26 Season Fellowship
We offer a full time paid season fellowship in:
Artistic Fellow
Community Partnership Fellow
Costume Fellow
Development Fellow
General and Company Management Fellow
Learning Engagement Fellow
Lighting Fellow
Marketing and Communications Fellow
Multimedia Design Fellow
Applications are now closed
Please email training@arenastage.org if you have any questions or concerns.
FAQs
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.
Sponsors
The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship is made possible by Rick and Carol Froehlich and .
Arena Stage’s community engagement efforts are generously sponsored by Denie and Frank Weil; The Toni A. Ritzenberg Fund for Educational and Community Outreach Programs at Arena Stage; Joanne Barker; The Robert and Natalie Mandel Family Foundation; Rick and Carol Froehlich; The DeLaski Family Foundation; Boeing; Comcast; Alice Shaver Foundation; GEICO; Venable Foundation; Hattie M. Strong Foundation; Nora Roberts Foundation; Enterprise Holdings Foundation; Friends of Southwest D.C.; and Actors’ Equity Foundation.