How Choreographer Camille A. Brown Channels Her NYC Youth in ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

Choreographers

The Tony nominee on why she hopes this Alicia Keys musical will inspire a love of theatre in the next generation

—

“Being from New York, it’s an amazing feeling to contribute to a show about New York,” says Brown, who earned her fourth Tony nomination for her exhilarating choreography for Hell’s Kitchen. “I started taking the subway when I was 13 years old because I lived in Queens and went to LaGuardia High School. Walking in the streets, I noticed how diverse New York City was. To bring that diversity to the stage—so many different personalities and energies—and to be able to pour that into the dancers’ bodies feels good. I’m representing my hometown in my hometown.”

The dancers come through as individuals, yet collectively they conjure the spirit of the city: the teens flirting on the corner, the musicians banging on their buckets, the ladies gossiping on the street, the workers running to their jobs. “New York City is constantly moving and shifting and progressing, and that’s what the show is doing, too,” Brown explains.

Hell’s Kitchen is one of multiple projects Brown has been working on. Earlier this month, her staging of Fire Shut Up in My Bones for The Metropolitan Opera wrapped up its run, and in August, her dance company will travel to Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusetts to perform the world premiere of I AM, inspired by an episode of the HBO series Lovecraft Country.

Although her schedule is jam-packed, she hopes to be in the Shubert Theatre the evening of June 26 so she can experience Hell’s Kitchen with a house full of enthusiastic, newly minted NYC public school graduates.

Asked what she wants those students to take away from the show, she quotes the lyrics of ‘Empire State of Mind.’ “‘In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do.’ I want them to realize that all dreams are possible, whether they’re in the arts or not. I hope they see a reflection of themselves, and also see how important the arts are to the character of Ali and to the world. I love sharing theatre with kids because they show you how they’re feeling. They laugh, they respond. It’s visceral and it’s real. I can only imagine how much fun this particular performance is going to be. To feel that New York energy—there’s nothing like being in a room with other New Yorkers.”

Know a NYC public or charter school senior who’s graduating this spring? Send them this link with info about TDF’s Graduation Gift and Hell’s Kitchen ticket drawing.

If you would like to support TDF’s Graduation Gift, please make a donation to our Education Programs.

—

Hell’s Kitchen is also frequently available at our TKTS Discount Booths.

TDF MEMBERS: Go here to browse our latest discounts for dance, theatre and concerts.