AMDA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - April 7, 2023
April 07, 2023 - Alumni
ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
April 7, 2023
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Anastacia McCleskey ’03:
Took home the Theater Circle Award for "Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female/Nonbinary Role" for starring in The Color Purple at the Muny. Anastacia recently performed alongside Charity Angel Dawson ’05 in Hercules The Musical at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Amanda Kloots ’02:
Will be a presenter at Autism Speaks Light Up The Blues 6 Concert on April 22 at the Greek Theatre in LA. Amanda recently instructed a virtual fitness class on March 25, with all proceeds benefitting Children’s Hospital LA.
Asia Kate Dillon ’03:
Featured in Entertainment Weekly's spotlight of trans entertainers in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31. Asia stars in Showtime’s Billions, and is featured in the animated series Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur on Disney+.
Anthony Ramos ’11:
Featured in People En Español discussing mentoring for McDonald's Spotlight Dorado program. Anthony will star in the upcoming film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Jeremy Pope ’12 and Marissa Jaret Winokur ’92:
Recognized at the GLAAD Media Awards. Jeremy received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award and stars in The Inspection, which won “Outstanding Film – Limited Release.” Marissa is a recurring guest star on What We Do in the Shadows, which won “Outstanding Comedy Series.”
TV/FILM
Ashley Rose Nicholas ’17:
Will star as “Pauline” in The Burden of Nine Lives action thriller feature, currently in pre-production. Ashley also plays “Laurissa” in Who Invited Charlie?
Lee Tergeson ’80:
Plays recurring character "Richard Beck" on a new episode of Chicago P.D. which premiered on April 5 on NBC. Lee also plays “Roger Nevins” in Black Bird, streaming on Apple TV+.
Kevin Curtis ’04:
Featured on Episode 517 of FBI on CBS, which aired on April 4. Kevin will be an Ensemble member of Back to the Future: The Musical, beginning on June 30 at Broadway's Winter Garden Theater, with Opening Night set for August 3.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95:
Celebrity guest on Fast Foodies, coming to Food Network on April 13. Jesse recently starred in the celebrated return engagement of Take Me Out on Broadway.
Ranier Acosta ’22:
Will star as "Clay" in the short film Anchor, about an athlete who overcomes the death of his teammate and close friend to become the anchor of his team and lead it to victory. Ranier will also star in the upcoming short films The Lads and Lost Time.
BROADWAY
Leandra Ellis Gaston ’15:
Performed for 1,000 NYC high school students for a special performance of Broadway's SIX. Leandra also recently starred in SIX’s 600th performance on Broadway.
Karli Dinardo ’13 and Neka Zang ’02:
Featured in a People exclusive showcasing the stars of Bob Fosse's DANCIN' on Broadway. Karli recently performed the show’s number "Sing Sing Sing" on Good Morning America.
Jon Hoche ’99:
Performs in the Ensemble of the Broadway premiere of Life of Pi at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. View a new production clip and red carpet photos from Opening Night.
Charity Angel Dawson ’05:
Will return to Chicago on Broadway beginning April 10 at "Mama Morton." Charity has also joined the cast of New York City Center's upcoming production of OLIVER running from May 3 - 14.
OFF-BROADWAY
Oren Korenblum ’11 and Alexandra Amadeo-Frost ‘12:
Will star in Off-Broadway’s first musical revival of Sugar, based on the film Some Like It Hot. Performances are presented by The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company at Theatre Row in NYC from April 27 - May 7.
Avionce Hoyles ’10:
Currently performs in Off-Broadway’s Titanique as “The Seaman/Iceberg.” Avionce previously performed in the Antioch Mass development workshop by Cntr Arts and the Fire Ensemble and starred in A Night for Luther Vandross: A Cabaret Celebrating His Greatest Hits at 54 Below.
Joy Woods ’19:
Will return to Off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors to star as “Audrey” beginning May 2. Watch Joy perform “Suddenly, Seymour.” Joy previously starred as "Chiffon" and understudy for Audrey.
TOURING
José Miguel Vargas ’19:
Has joined the cast of TheaterWorks' touring production of El Otro Oz. Touring dates are scheduled for Spring 2023 and 2024.
DANCE
Will Clayton ’15:
Will perform in Invertigo Dance Theater’s Formulae and Fairytales this April. Will is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts from Wilson College.
Cedric Dodd ’12:
Will serve as the Assistant Choreographer for the world premiere of The Great Gatsby at Paper Mill Playhouse later this year. Performances are set to run October 12 - November 12, with additional information to come.
REGIONAL THEATRE
Lulu Lloyd ’05:
Directed Beauty and the Beast at Westview High School in San Diego. Lulu is also the founder of The Broadway Clubhouse, offering private and group classes in the San Diego area led by Broadway performers.
Maria Briggs ’11:
Has been cast in Monty Python's Spamalot, playing the Eisenhower Theater at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C. from May 12 - 21. Maria recently starred alongside Matt Ranaudo ’12 and faculty member Shiloh Goodin in Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s A Chorus Line.
Domonique Paton ’07:
Currently performing as “Jarene"/Ensemble in The Color Purple at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Performances run through May 7.
Mathew Bautista ’15 and Julian Alvarez ’00:
Join the cast of Evita at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University. Performances run May 17 - July 16, with Opening Night set for May 25.
Tyrick Wiltez Jones '00 and Brittney Mack '10:
Will star in Great Lakes Theater's production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Performances run from April 28 - May 21 at the Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH.
Katie Bravo ‘17, Amos Oliver ‘16 and Nick Signor ’20:
Join the cast of In the Heights, directed and choreographed by AMDA faculty member Hector Guerrero. Performances run April 28 - May 7 at the Norris Theatre in Palos Verdes, CA.
Matthew Malecki ’15:
Reprises the role of “Magaldi” in Evita at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY from May 5 - 28. Matthew recently signed with LA Talent and performed in the concert A Magical Jamul Holiday at Jamul Casino.
Mauricio Martinez ’99:
Will star as a "Cervantes"/"Don Quixote" in Man of La Mancha at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL. Performances run from May 10 - June 11. Mauricio premiered and headlined his show 5'11, BASED IN NYC at 54 Below on March 5.
Emily Padgett-Young ’05:
Will perform in Amas Musical Theatre's 54th Annual Gala Benefit Concert on May 15 at Theatre 555. Emily has performed in a variety of recent concerts, including the “Hats Off to Broadway” New Year’s Eve concert with the New Jersey Festival Orchestra and her show "Valijean, Cosette and A String Quartet.''
Nicole Raviv ’13:
Featured in a contest honoring Israel’s 75th Anniversary that will send the winning singer to Tel Aviv to perform with Nicole. Nicole sang the National Anthem singer for the New York Islanders in 2021.