As she prepared to graduate last spring, Sydney Townsend (BFA Musical Theatre, ’25) was also navigating a major career milestone: auditioning for the national tour of Hell’s Kitchen, the new musical from 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys.
Following its critically acclaimed Broadway debut in spring 2024, Hell’s Kitchen quickly became one of the most talked-about musicals of the season, and was a 2024 Tony Award nominee for Best Musical.
Inspired by Keys’ own adolescence in New York City, the show explores themes of identity, resilience, and the healing power of music. The New York Times praised it as “a heartfelt and high-energy triumph, bursting with soul and authenticity.”
Sydney will join the national tour as a swing, covering multiple roles and understudying three key characters, including the lead role of Ali. The tour is set to launch from Cleveland’s Playhouse Square next month. It will touch down in more than 30 cities in the first year, including a stop on campus at Centennial Hall from August 18–23, 2026.
We caught up with Sydney to find out how this exciting opportunity came to be, how the show resonates with her personally, and how her time at the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television helped prepare her for life on tour.
This opportunity has been in the works for awhile – what has the process been like for you? Tell us a bit about how this came to be.
I was invited to an open call a few months ago and was fortunate to be offered the role after a series of callbacks. The experience was incredible, and I’m grateful for the supportive and welcoming atmosphere of the callback room. As a recent college graduate, this was a fantastic opportunity.
Hell’s Kitchen tells the story of a young girl coming of age and finding her voice – how does this story resonate with you? What parts are you most excited to share with audiences?
The relationship between Ali and her mother deeply resonates with me, as I also share a very close bond with my own mother. As a young Black woman, I also connect with Ali’s use of music as a source of comfort. My hope is that the audience finds themselves reflected in the show’s strong sense of community and relationships, and that they are inspired to embrace their own unique story and passion for art.
And a question we love to ask our alumni: who at TFTV inspired you and why, and what did you learn at TFTV that has been valuable as you make your way out into the industry?
My two greatest inspirations are my vocal coach, Darnell Roulhac, and my acting teacher, Brent Gibbs. Both taught me to trust my instincts, which allowed me to grow as an artist and a person. Through my training, I learned how to adapt quickly and efficiently to unexpected changes, a skill that has been invaluable both personally and professionally.