AMDA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - April 14, 2023
April 14, 2023 - Alumni
ALUMNI NEWSETTER
April 14, 2023
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Schele Williams ’91:
Member of the Advisors group for the 2023 Prince Fellowship, a program created to usher in the next generation of creative producers. Schele will direct the Broadway-bound production of The Wiz, set for a pre-Broadway L.A. Premiere Engagement at the Pantages from February 13 - March 3, 2024.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95 and Peppermint ’99:
Set to appear as special guests and performers at Center Theatre Group's 2023 Gala "Light Up Los Angeles." The gala takes place on April 15 at The Music Center, benefitting Center Theatre Group's theatrical and educational programming.
Anthony Ramos ’11:
Will be honored alongside Transformers: Rise of the Beasts co-star Dominique Fishback with the Rising Stars of the Year Award at Cinemacon. Anthony has recently spoken with various publications about starring in the upcoming summer blockbuster, as well as being a mentor for McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado.
Desireé Clarke '14:
Newly appointed Executive Artistic Director of MOXIE Theatre in San Diego. Desireé will also direct MOXIE’s upcoming production of The Chronicles of Kalki.
TV/FILM
Amanda Kloots ’02:
Guest star on the 100th episode of The Neighborhood which premiered on CBS on April 10 and is now streaming on Paramount+. Amanda spoke with CBS News about her newly released children’s book, and is also the cover star of Travel+Leisure.
Luke Tennie ’16:
Learn how Luke prepared to star in Shrinking, from auditioning to how his AMDA Stage Combat training came in handy for the role in a new interview. Season 1 is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Emma Busse ’22:
Has advanced to the Top 24 on Season 21 of ABC's American Idol. Emma graduated last Spring from New York’s Integrated Conservatory.
Marissa Jaret Winokur ’92:
Plays recurring character “Lori” on Bupkis, airing on Peacock in May and featured in BroadwayWorld. Marissa also guest stars as “Sydney” in Season 1, Episode 16 of So Help Me Todd on CBS.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95:
Featured in the film Cocaine Bear, which starts streaming on Peacock on April 14 following its theatrical run earlier this year. The film will also release the Maximum Rampage Edition on Digital and Blu-ray this month.
BROADWAY
Josh Drake ’11:
Performs "Man's Man" choreography from Bad Cinderella in a Playbill exclusive. Bad Cinderella recently celebrated its Opening Night on Broadway.
TOURING
Gigi Santos Castoire ’18:
Professional stunt performer set to tour internationally with Marvel Universe Live! by Feld Entertainment. In additional to her AMDA training, Gigi received stunt training at the Academy of Theatrical Combat NYC, SAGA Action Arts, and the Action Hero Academy.
REGIONAL THEATRE
Sarah Stiles ’00 and Peppermint ’99:
Will star in the world premiere of A Transparent Musical, based on the Amazon Prime series. Sarah will play “Sarah Pfefferman” and Peppermint will play “Davina” in the musical, taking place at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from May 20 - June 25.
Callahan Gillispie ’22:
Has joined the cast of Company as a Swing at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head Island, SC. Performances run April 26 - May 28.
Megan Vargas '20, Carson Christ '22, Mary Kate Chapman '22, Megan Holeman '22, MJ Mikesell '22, Sasha Serdyukov '22, and Jaeda Stone '22:
Star in Footloose: The Musical at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center from April 22 - May 14. AMDA Faculty member Michelle Elkin spoke to BroadwayWorld about co-directing and choreographing the production.
INTERNATIONAL
Oscar Ugalde ’12:
Will star as “Danny Zuko” in Grease in Quito, Ecuador in May. Oscar currently performs in Aladdin in Mexico through April 16.
READINGS
Christopher Sieber ’89 and Marissa Rosen ’03:
Will perform in the industry reading for Death Becomes Her, a musical adaptation of the 1992 film. Christopher will perform as “Ernest Menville” and Marissa will perform as an Ensemble member in the readings, being held this week in NYC.
ENTERTAINMENT / CRUISE
David G. Blanchard ’21:
Will star as a host and magician of a new show for the French cruise ship company CFC. David will also be a singer and dancer for the cruise’s other onboard productions. Over the holidays, he performed in the Andy Williams Christmas Show at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, MO.
Matthew Malecki ’15:
Cast member of Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park beginning June 30. Matthew currently plays “Magaldi” in Evita at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY from May 5 - 28.
WEB
Sky Lakota-Lynch ‘12:
Will star in Foul Play, an interactive digital murder mystery series. The series premieres April 21, with subsequent episodes being released every Friday through May 19. Sky will kick off the Durango PlayFest Youth Speaker Series as a guest speaker on April 20.
MUSIC / CONCERT
Christopher Jackson ’94:
Guest artist at Oakland University's "An Evening with Christopher Jackson’" on April 10. Christopher will serve on The Host Committee of Ars Nova's Nova Ball on May 8.
Zhailon Levingston ’15:
Will direct Kayla Davion's Concert An Ode to Self at Chelsea Table & Stage on May 8. Zhailon co-directed the collaborative piece Restructuring at The TEAM’s 18th Anniversary Gala in Brooklyn, NY on March 27.
Darius de Haas '91:
Will perform in American Popular Song Society Benefit Honoring Marilyn Maye on June 12. Darius recently performed in the Dreamgirls Concert at Café Carlyle.
Kenita Miller-Hicks ’00:
Developing new in-person performances with her musical group The HawtPlates as artists selected for the HERE Artist Residency Program (HARP.) Kenita earned an Antonyo Award and a Tony-nomination for her role in Broadway's for colored girls…
Tyne Daly ’69:
Will perform in Gingold Theatrical Group's Shakespeare Sonnet Soiree livestream on April 23 at 6 PM ET. Tyne’s performances in Ragtime and at the Kennedy Center Honors were recently featured in BroadwayWorld articles.