In May, the Tony-nominated Alicia Keys musical Hell's Kitchen welcomed a new star when Amanda Reid succeeded Tony winner Maleah Joi Moon at the Shubert Theatre.

Reid, who is making her Broadway debut, plays 17-year-old Ali, who lives in a cramped apartment in New York's Hell's Kitchen with her mom, who is scared her daughter will repeat her own mistakes. Reid currently shares the stage with vocal powerhouse Jessica Vosk (Wicked) as mom Jersey, original Tony-nominated Hamilton star Christopher Jackson as estranged dad Davis, Phillip Johnson Richardson (The Wiz) as love interest Knuck, and Kecia Lewis (who won a 2024 Tony Award for her passionate performance) as Ali's piano teacher and mentor, Miss Liza Jane.

Reid, seen on screen in Me for Apple TV+ and Miss Juneteenth at Sundance, has also appeared in productions of Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalene, Les Misérables as Cosette, and in the title role of Aida. The young actor is also currently working towards her BFA in musical theatre at Shenandoah Conservatory. 

In the interview below for the Playbill series How Did I Get Here—spotlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians, and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is live theatre—Reid shares the whirlwind two-week period that catapulted her from Hell's Kitchen audience member to landing the musical's leading role.

Where did you train/study?
Amanda Reid: I went to a performing arts school from 8th to 12th grade after leaving competitive gymnastics. After high school, I started college at Shenandoah Conservatory and am currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
In high school, one of my dance teachers, DeeDee Munson, always believed in me and never let me settle for anything less than the best. In college, Kevin Covert, the head of ShenCo's MT program, has always looked out for me and has always made me feel seen.

What was the audition process like for this role? Had you seen the show prior to your audition?
I had only heard about Hell’s Kitchen and knew I wanted to be a part of something involving Alicia Keys' music, so I told my reps to keep a lookout for anything involving the show! I watched the show for the first time, had my audition, and did my callback all within less than a week! About a week or so later, when I was in jazz class, I got the call that I booked. Five days later, I was in New York!

How would you describe Ali? Do you have a favorite moment in the show for her?
Ali is every 17-year-old girl trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be within the circumstances she is given. She’s full of life and has this light that doesn’t dim around anyone. One of my favorite moments for Ali is when she finally understands how to just meet her father where he's at, instead of holding him to an expectation that he can never reach. I feel like this is a big shift for her because it takes a big weight off of her shoulders.

How did you mentally prepare to make your Broadway debut while leading a show?
How I mentally prepare for anything is to listen to worship music and be in the presence of the Lord. He always grounds me.

Do you have any dream stage roles and/or actors you would like to work with?
Ali is actually a dream role for me, and I am so blessed to be living that dream. As for actors, working with Heather Headley would be an absolute dream come true!

Tell me about a time you almost gave up but didn’t.
I had a situation with a director in youth theatre that almost made me quit theatre, but I tried one more show with a different director, and he changed my perspective and made me love performing all over again. Shout out to Nick Mann!

What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
I’d say to always walk into a room as you and not as someone you think they want to see.

What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
What is meant for you will be, and what is not will not!

What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
I am most proud when someone tells me they walked out of the theatre a changed person. I remember having that moment myself, and to be a part of giving that to anyone else is such a blessing.