AMDA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - March 31, 2023
March 31, 2023 - Alumni
ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
March 31, 2023
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Dustin Presley ’09:
CSA Associate Casting Director at Arvold Casting in Atlanta, GA, and won a 2023 Artios Award in the “Limited Series” category for casting Dopesick on Hulu. Dustin’s other casting credits include Mike (Hulu), Tell Me Lies (Hulu), They/Them (Blumhouse/Peacock), and Red Notice (Netflix).
Ashley De La Rosa ’17:
Will emcee the Opening Ceremony for the 2023 International Thespian Festival in June. Ashley plays "Sienna" in Dear Edward on Apple TV+, and will appear in The Other Two on HBO Max.
Amanda Kloots ’02:
Instructed a virtual fitness class on March 25, with all proceeds benefitting Children’s Hospital LA. Amanda is a co-host on The Talk.
J. Harrison Ghee ’09:
Co-hosted The Shubert Foundation's 2023 High School Theatre Festival. See photos from the event here. J. Harrison stars in Broadway’s hit Some Like It Hot with fellow graduate Jarvis B. Manning Jr. ’06.
TV/FILM
Shoniqua Shandai ’08:
Stars as “Sarita” in the upcoming film Wake: The Movie, produced by Tracey Edmonds. Shoniqua stars as “Angie Wilson” in Harlem Season 1 and 2 on Prime Video.
Luke Tennie ’16:
Featured in a segment on KCTV5 discussing his role in Apple TV+’s Shrinking, which Forbes recently declared is one of the best shows of 2023. Season 1 is now streaming, and the series has already been renewed for Season 2.
Mamie Parris ’97:
Performed at the Great Performances 50th Anniversary Concert, slated for a May 12 streaming premiere. Mamie will perform in The Envelope Please concert with the Rochester Philarmonic Orchestra on April 21 in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Karli Dinardo ’13:
Stars in Bob Fosse's DANCIN' on Broadway and performed the number "Sing Sing Sing" on Good Morning America. Karli is also featured dancing in the new musical series Up Here, now streaming on Hulu.
Eden Malyn ’07:
Plays "Zoe Green" on Season 24, Episode 16 of Law & Order: SVU on NBC and Peacock. Eden is also an audition coach, and led the workshop “Essence & The Working Actor” in Los Angeles last month.
Malcolm Franklin ‘18:
Has joined the cast of Iconic Quest Production’s film Rites of Passage. Malcolm will star as “Derrick Pope" in the production, filming in Atlanta, GA.
BROADWAY
Maria Bilbao ’17:
Walked the red carpet for the Opening Night of Sweeney Todd. Maria made her Broadway debut starring as “Johanna" in the production. Christopher Jackson ‘94 and Christopher Sieber ’89 were also in attendance.
Eric Armstrong ’17:
Associate Company Manager of the new musical New York, New York on Broadway. Eric recently served as the Associate Company Manager of Broadway's A Strange Loop.
Josh Drake ’11:
Performs in Bad Cinderella on Broadway, and walked the red carpet on Opening Night. Check out the cast’s Opening Night bows and a first look at the production.
Leandra Ellis Gaston ’15:
Discussed playing “Anne Boleyn” in Broadway’s SIX in new interviews with Playbill and Brit + Co. Leandra performed in and celebrated SIX’s 600th performance on Broadway on March 26.
OFF-BROADWAY
Geena Quintos ’12:
Starred in the world premiere of Good Enemy at Off-Broadway’s Audible Theatre, and the audio version of the play is now available on Audible.com. Geena stars as “Neary/Sothea” in Cambodian Rock Band at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, CA through April 2.
TOURING
Evin Johnson ’17:
Has joined the Aladdin North American Tour as an Ensemble member and “Iago” cover, starting performances May 9 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, MI. Evin joins fellow graduate Asten Stewart ’19 in the production. Evin previously performed in the Anastasia National Tour.
Julia Hunter ’11 and Laura Elizabeth Flanagan ’07:
Cast members of the Annie National Tour, currently performing at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, TX. Julia plays “Grace Farrell” and Laura is an Ensemble member and understudy for “Grace” and “Miss Hannigan.”
Jena VanElslander ’04 and Allison Sheppard ’17:
Performs in the Jagged Little Pill National Tour, and protested anti-Trans legislation at the Capitol building during the D.C. leg of the tour.
CRUISE/ENTERTAINMENT
Jeremy Abram ’06:
Performs in Jersey Boys with Norwegian Cruise Lines. Jeremy previously performed in Norwegian Cruise Line’s production of Footloose and was a swing in the RENT: 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour.
INTERNATIONAL THEATRE
Eden Azar ’18 and Maor Levy ’14:
Star in the Israeli production of Fiddler on the Roof. Eden plays “Chava” and Maor plays “The Fiddler” in the production.
Caissie Levy ’02:
Shared a sneak peek of her singing “I Miss The Mountains” from Next to Normal. Caissie will star as "Diane" in the production’s UK premiere at The Donmar Warehouse in London from August 12 - October 7.
MUSIC / CONCERT
Jorge Echeverria ’17:
Performs in the world premiere of El Oratorio Panhispánico, a new opera that tells the story of the Passion of Christ through the lens of Hispanic immigrants. Performances run March 31 and April 1 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn.
Tyler McCall ’19 and Neil Mclinden ’19:
Performed RADIO 54.1: A Little Bit of Everything!, a fictional radio variety show at 54 Below on March 24.. Fellow AMDA graduate Adan V. Gallegos ’19 also performed in the show.