Lena Waite is welcoming in a new generation of talent into the industry. The Emmy winner’s production company, Hillman Grad, has launched The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab, a 10-month, tuition-free program designed to provide “opportunities for marginalized storytellers to connect, grow, and accelerate their career in television and film.”
Comprised of workshops, educational resources, and professional development and networking opportunities for its cohort of “diverse writers, actors, and aspiring creative executives,” the Lab is “committed to infusing new narratives and perspectives in front of and behind the camera.”
The program grants fellows the unique opportunity to enhance their creative skillset through personalized instruction from industry professionals, creating additional pathways to bring more people from diverse backgrounds into the entertainment industry.
The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab will welcome 25 fellows and is divided into three separate tracks: television writing, screen acting, and executive development.
Submissions are now open. The deadline to submit is January 10, 2021.
Applicants are required to provide a personal statement, short answers to a series of questions, a resume, and a biography, among other material. Head over to Hillman Grad’s website for more information and to apply. The lab will kick off in February.
Waithe, who became first Black woman to win a comedy writing Emmy for her “Master of None” episode “Thanksgiving,” is set to produce “A Thousand and One,” A.V. Rockwell’s feature directorial debut. She penned last year’s “Queen & Slim” and the upcoming features “Beauty,” a romantic drama, and “Talent Show,” a Universal musical drama led by Cynthia Erivo. She created TV shows “The Chi” and “Twenties,” and co-created “Boomerang.”
