AMDA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - March 24, 2023
March 24, 2023 - Alumni
AMDA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
March 24, 2023
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Carlos Zipactonal Martínez ’21:
Wrote the play Monica, Richie, & Angel: A One-Act Traumatic Comedy as part of their MFA Program at The New School of Drama. The play will be presented at the New Play Workshop, a free event at Bank Street Theatre in NYC from March 30 - April 1, and streaming on demand starting April 13. RSVP here.
TV/FILM
Alexa Speyer ’22:
Featured in an article in Hudson Weekly discussing her career thus far. Alexa stars as “Elle” in the 2022 short film Take Flight.
Anthony Ramos ’11:
Discussed his starring role in the upcoming film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts with Collider. Anthony will be a mentor for McDonald's Spotlight Dorado program supporting emerging filmmakers and screenwriters in the Latino community.
Jason Derulo ’06:
Has joined the 2023 panel of judges on The Voice Australia. Jason can be seen in the film Spinning Gold, premiering in theatres March 31.
Kacie Rogers ’15:
Guest starred as “Lanice” in a new episode of Grand Crew on NBC. Kacie was previously featured on ABC’s Home Economics and starred in the Los Angeles premiere of Bright Half Life with Tiffany Wolff ’13.
Marissa Jaret Winokur ’92:
Guest stars as “Sydney” in Season 1, Episode 16 of So Help Me Todd, airing on March 30 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Marissa is also set to play recurring character “Lori” on Bupkis, airing on Peacock this May.
BROADWAY
Kevin Curtis ’04:
Has joined the Ensemble of Back to the Future: The Musical, beginning on June 30 at Broadway's Winter Garden Theater. Opening Night is set for August 3. Kevin currently stars in Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! and can be seen on screen in the series The Other Two.
Josh Drake ’11:
Performed with the cast of Broadway's Bad Cinderella on Today. Josh is also a seasoned photographer and recently shot the show's leading lady for Vogue.
Karli Dinardo ’13 and Neka Zang ‘02:
Watch Karli and the cast of Broadway's Dancin' during their Opening Night bows, and hear the cast discuss the show and Fosse’s influence with Playbill. Christopher Sieber ’89 and J. Harrison Ghee ’09 were also in attendance.
Krystal Joy Brown ’04 and Sherz Aletaha ‘06:
Will star in the Broadway transfer of Merrily We Roll Along, with previews beginning September 19 at the Hudson Theatre.
TOURING
Allison Sheppard ’17 and Jena VanElslander ’04:
Perform in the Jagged Little Pill National Tour. See Allison and Jena meet with the show's creator Alanis Morissette on a recent visit with the cast.
REGIONAL THEATRE
Marissa Rosen ’03:
Has joined the cast of the world premiere musical adaptation of Water for Elephants, premiering at the Coca-Cola Stage in Atlanta from June 7 - July 9, with Opening Night scheduled for June 16. Marissa previously performed alongside Brittany Nicole Williams ’16 in The Gospel According to Heather developmental lab.
Nic Thompson ’03, Rob Ouellette ’03, Blake Patrick Spellacy ’13, and Rafael Pepen ‘22:
Will perform with the cast of 42nd Street at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL. Performances run from April 11 - 30.
Carlos Cameron ’22, Ryver Townsend ’20, Kylie Buckles Hall ’20, Megan Falcone ’22, and Kristy Gutierrez ‘18:
Star in Conundrum Theatre Company’s production of Seussical the Musical at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, CA. Performances run March 31 - April 2 with Carlos as “Cat in the Hat,” Ryver as “Horton the Elephant,” Kylie and Megan as “Bird Girl” and Kristy as an Ensemble member.
Matt Ranaudo ’12 and Maria Briggs ’11:
Star alongside faculty member Shiloh Goodin in Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s production of A Chorus Line, now underway! Take a first look at the production.
Wesley Tunison ’10:
Stars as “Neil Bogart'/'Gunther” in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, now playing at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, GA. Performances run through April 9. On screen, Wesley plays “Chad” in Yogurt Raisin which is an official selection of the 2023 Toronto Black Film Festival.
Compton Little ’22:
Wrote and directs the play The Space Between Us, premiering at the New York Theater Festival with performances on May 29, June 2, and June 3. This production is performed by an all AMDA alumni cast featuring Roman Matcz ’22, Eva Kocman ’22, Carol Zanella ’22, Gigi Huang ’22, Viktor Leshchenko ’22, Matia Prescott ’22, Marko Dumancic ’22, and Ana Flavia ’22. Compton is now a member of the Dramatists Guild and Actors Equity Association.
READINGS
Sherz Aletaha ’06 and Mamie Parris ’97:
Set to star in the staged reading of MYTHIC: A New Musical, following a mother's relationship with her teenage daughter who is a Greek goddess with a taste for the Underworld. The readings take place March 23 and 24.
DANCE
Oren Korenblum ’11:
Choreographing the world premiere of the new musical One More Yesterday, running on select dates in April at the Foundry in Wilton Manors, FL. Oren won the award for Outstanding Choreography for Come Out! Come Out! The New Musical at the 2022 Carbonell Awards in South Florida.
Alexander Reichl ‘22 and Nicolas Reichl ’22:
Danced in American Repertory Ballet’s production of Giselle at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Performances took place earlier this month.
MUSIC / CONCERT
Kenita Miller-Hicks ’00:
Provides additional vocals on Meshell Ndgeocello's new single "Virgo." Kenita won an Antonyo Award in the “Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Broadway)” category for her role in for colored girls…
Anie Delgado ’14:
Released the new single “Reaching for the Ground” available on YouTube and music streaming platforms. Anie’s debut EP, You Ruined Forever, is now available for streaming.
Molly Russo ’18 and Genevieve Quiñones ’22:
Will perform in 54 Sings Bo Burnham at 54 Below. The concert features many of Bo Burnham’s hits, and will take place on August 31 at 9:30 PM ET.
Matia Prescott ’22 and Taylor Simon ’21:
Perform in the new musical Ghost Girls: An Undark True Story with book co-written and music composed by AMDA faculty member Bryan Blaskie. This musical is inspired by the true story of Radium Girls and takes place on March 30 at 9:30 PM ET.
Bryce Charles ’15:
Sang backup vocals for Jimin from BTS’ new single “Set Me Free Pt. 2.” Bryce previously performed backup vocals for BTS’ live concert of PROOF on YouTube.
Kyle Scatliffe ’09:
Performed in the 2023 Broadway Backwards Concert. Check out photos from his performance here. Kyle performs in Hamilton on Broadway and will be a judge for the Lotte Lenya Competition.
Julia Morales ’04:
Returns to The Second City as a cast member for their 111th Mainstage Revue. Julia also previously participated in Florida Studio Theatre’s The Playwrights Project initiative employing the country’s top playwrights, sketch comedy writers, and musical theatre developers.