Band and choir students at the Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School were presented with an incredible opportunity to connect with Broadway! Through the Broadway Bridges on the Road initiative, students attended a performance of the touring Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen and participated in a pre-show dance workshop led by TJ Wilson, Dance Captain and Swing for the production.
Before seeing the show, TJ spent the morning working with students, teaching them about the physical and mental discipline required to perform at the professional level. He led them through a series of stretching and strength-building exercises before moving into choreography from the show that emphasized groove, individuality, and stage presence. Students left the workshop knowing one of the fast-paced dance combinations set to one of Alicia Keys’ most iconic songs, Empire State of Mind.
The Broadway Bridges on the Road program, developed by the Broadway League, aims to make Broadway experiences more accessible to students nationwide. By partnering with touring productions and League member theaters, the initiative provides discounted tickets to high school groups. This effort enriches arts education and helps build a diverse future audience for live theater.
Currently playing at the Benedum Center, Hell’s Kitchen is a jukebox musical built around the music and lyrics of Alicia Keys. The show tells a semi-autobiographical story inspired by Keys’ upbringing in Manhattan during the 1990s. Named after the neighborhood she grew up in, Hell’s Kitchen first premiered in 2023 and launched its North American tour in 2025.
In addition to TJ’s current role in Hell’s Kitchen, his impressive career spans stage and screen, with credits that include The Jungle Book (Goodman Theatre), Cleopatra (Off-Broadway), The Wiz (Broadway), Malvolio, A Jazzman’s Blues (Tyler Perry), and a performance at The Grammy Awards.
For Sto-Rox students, this experience was both inspiring and unforgettable. Seeing the choreography they learned performed on stage by professional dancers reminded them of what’s possible through hard work and dedication. The district extends its sincere appreciation to Broadway Bridges on the Road, the Broadway League, and the production team of Hell’s Kitchen for making this incredible educational experience possible for Sto-Rox students.
