Middle Schoolers Get Their First Broadway Experience at Hell’s Kitchen

Sixth and eighth graders from the mathematics middle school MS 343 experienced a show that reflected familiar themes, neighborhoods, and voices.

February 11, 2026 By Inspired Staff

Playbill has partnered with Inspired to create and amplify stories of inspiration that advocate for access to arts and cultural experiences for young people across the country. The following article is written by the team at Situation Project and adapted from their online publication Inspired. Click here to learn more.

Broadway Visit With Purpose

Last week, students from MS 343 traveled to Midtown Manhattan to see Hell's Kitchen, a show rooted in New York City and shaped by stories of family, identity, and growing up.

For many of the sixth and eighth graders, it was their first Broadway experience.

“This wasn’t about a one-off trip,” said Samara Berger, Executive Director of Situation Project. “We think about arts access as part of a larger ecosystem. When students see work that feels relevant to their own lives, it reinforces that cultural access isn’t something separate from them, it’s something they participate in. Representation matters.”

Seeing Familiar Stories on a National Stage

Hell’s Kitchen centers on coming-of-age themes set against a recognizable New York backdrop, offering students a perspective that felt closer to home than many traditional Broadway narratives.

The students responded visibly throughout the performance: laughing, reacting, and staying engaged during emotionally complex moments. Educators accompanying the group noted that the show sparked conversations afterward about storytelling, creative careers, and representation.

“Exposure matters, but context matters more,” said Damian Bazadona, Founder and President of Situation Group. “When students can draw a straight line between what’s happening on stage and their own experiences, it changes how they think about the arts and who they’re for.”

Why Timing Matters

With Hell’s Kitchen set to close soon, the trip carried additional significance. Opportunities to experience contemporary, culturally resonant work at this level are limited, particularly for students who may not otherwise have access to Broadway.

“One student told us they didn’t expect a Broadway show to feel so familiar,” Berger said. “That kind of response underscores why timing and access are so important.”

Continuing the Work

The MS 343 visit is part of Situation Project’s broader effort to connect students with live arts experiences that complement classroom learning and expand students’ sense of possibility.

As the group exited the theatre, conversations continued—about music, performance, and what it takes to build a career in the arts.

That, according to organizers, is the goal: not just attendance, but engagement that lasts beyond the curtain call.

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