AMDA Alumni in the News - February 26, 2021

February 26, 2021 - Alumni

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Sasha Calle '16 has been cast as DC Universe’s new "Supergirl!" Sasha is the franchise’s first Latina “Supergirl,” and will make her debut in the role in Warner Bros’ film The Flash. Last year, Sasha was nominated in the Daytime Emmy’s “Outstanding Young Performer in a Drama Series” category for her role as “Lola Rosales” on CBS’s The Young and the Restless. 

IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

TV / FILM

Paul Sorvino:
Plays “Jim” in the film As Long as We Both Shall Live, being released digitally and on demand on February 26. Paul stars in the indie thriller Bad Impulse available on demand. Paul also appears in the upcoming film Most Guys are Losers, co-starring his daughter Mira Sorvino.

Rashad Addy-Davis ’13:
Wrote, directed, and stars in the short film American Terror Story: Theatre Degree. Miah Blake ’14, Rick Shattuck ’14, Ciara Windom ’16, Daniel Lagunes ’16, Kaitlin Abendroth ’15, Naomi Trevillian ’15, April Lam ’13, and Kurt Peña ‘18 also star in the film, which won best LGBTQ Film at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival.

Brianna Marie Bell ‘14:
Guest starred on an episode of Law & Order: SVU which aired on NBC on February 18. Brianna Marie previously performed on Off-Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors alongside Joy Woods ’19 and as “Jane” in the First National Tour of A Bronx Tale.

WEB

Christopher Jackson ’94:
Premiered Hamilton’s social media series #WeTellTheirStories with a powerful reading of Benjamin Banneker’s letter to Thomas Jefferson. Banneker was a free Black man living in Boston and highlights Jefferson’s hypocrisy between owning slaves and believing in the Declaration of Independence in his letter. Christopher will perform in New York Theatre Workshop’s 25th anniversary of RENT Virtual Gala on March 2 at 8 PM EST. The gala will be available to stream through March 6 at 8 PM EST. 

Kevin Curtis ’04 and Tyler Tafolla ’17:
Featured artists in New York Theatre Barn's March 2021 virtual programming. Kevin returns as “Narrator” for Anjou: The Musical Horror Tale on March 17 at 7 PM EST, following the musical’s premiere earlier this year. Tyler performs in his new song cycle Seasons on March 31 at 7 PM EST. Seasons is also available on all music platforms, featuring performances from alumni Adante Carter ’14, Michael Restaino ’15, Ariel Murillo ’18, Aislin Courtis ’18, Beau Rush ‘18, Chris Bona ‘13, Samuel Fierro ’18, and Sierra Stack ’18.

Tim Dolan ’04:
Led Broadway Up Close and Playbill Experience’s first virtual Broadway Bar Crawl on February 24. Tim also leads a virtual tour series with Broadway Up Close and Playbill Social Selects, most recently doing From Matzoh to Mean Girls on January 26.

Vasthy Mompoint ’99:
Was the special guest on The Chaos Twins live stream on February 24. Vasthy created and hosts the show Vasthy’s Friends, which has been celebrating Black History Month with special virtual programming. Vasthy appeared on NCIS last month. 

Leandra Ellis Gaston ’15 and Carla R. Stewart ’10:
Performed the new original poem “The Gatherers” with fellow cast members of Broadway’s Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Leandra also developed the video’s creative concept.

Darius de Haas '91:
Guest hosted Stars in the House for their February 23 episode, Black Male Excellence in the Arts. On February 24, Darius and Schele Williams ’91 joined fellow founding members of BLACK THEATRE UNITED to discuss making the song “Stand For Change” at a virtual conversation hosted by New York University's Steinhardt School. All proceeds from the upcoming song release will support Black Theatre United and the Johnny and Gladys Williams Foundation. 

Sarah Stiles ’00:
Spoke about starring as “Beth Paige” in The Crew on an Instagram Live with Nascar on February 23. Nascar praises the new Netflix comedy’s authenticity and wide appeal in a recent feature. Watch the trailer here. 

J. Elaine Marcos ’96:
Guest stars on Broadway Game Network’s new episode of X Me Out, released today. J. Elaine was featured on Live & In Color's Be Our Guest series led by Dev Janki ’89 who also serves as Live & In Color's Artistic Director. J. Elaine was recently a contributing artist on the game show Director vs. Director.

Evan Wittstock (Sierra Misst) ’14:
Discusses performing around the world, developing drag persona Sierra Misst, and creating viral makeup tutorials in a new Instinct Magazine feature. Watch Evan’s makeup transformations on TikTok.

Brandi Chavonne Massey ’98:
Was a guest on a new episode of Jim Caruso's Pajama Cast Party on February 22. Last month, Brandi performed in an episode of Piano Bar Live! 

Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95:
Appeared on the Magic of Storytelling to discuss creating his OUTstanding series. Jesse and Julie Tanous will discuss their debut cookbook Food Between Friends with Padma Lakshmi at a Barnes and Noble live virtual event on March 10 at 7 PM EST. Jesse is scheduled to appear at the Williamstown Theatre Festival 2021 Gala taking place April 7 at 7:30 PM EST. Madeline Brewer ’12 serves on the Gala Committee.

Karla Joan Rivera ’20:
Plays “Constance” in The Trailblazers Collective's virtual production of The Preacherman in April. Karla performed Toyland: A New Musical as “Raggedy Ann” which premiered in December. The show's album will be released on Spotify on March 12.

J. Harrison Ghee ’09 and Charity Angel Dawson ’05:
Were the premiere guests on Broadway Game Network’s PRISM on February 19. Last year, J. Harrison and Charity performed in the second annual Theatre Aspen Holiday Cabaret and in the premiere of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

PODCAST

Peppermint ‘99:
Will perform in Audible’s upcoming comedy podcast Hot White Heist premiering June 17. Peppermint and Christopher Jackson ‘94 performed in a “Seasons of Love / Let the Sunshine In” mashup directed by alumna Schele Williams ’91 that aired during the Celebrating America broadcast.  

MUSIC

Kenita Miller-Hicks ’00:
Featured on the Once on This Island limited edition orange vinyl being released on March 26. The recording is available for pre-order now. Kenita is the Spoken Word Artist in Royal Family Productions' See Her, and will take part in a special talkback with the piece’s creative team on February 28 at 2 PM EST.

Jason Derulo ’06:
Jason and Jawsh 685’s hit “Savage Love” is featured on the final playlist in the “My Black Is” series celebrating Black History Month. Jason joined Radio.com for a Facebook live conversation in honor of Black History Month on February 12.

Anie (Stephanie) Delgado ’14:
Released her new song “Dance While the World is On Fire,” which Billboard featured in their 10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week list. Anie released the official music video for her single “Daydream” in mid-January.

TOURING

Shaquille Towns ’17:

Will star as “Benvolio” and “Paris” in Kentucky Shakespeare's spring touring production of Romeo and Juliet. Shaquille is currently performing in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at the Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville, Indiana through March 27.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Lamont Brown ‘13:
Guest speaker at University of Kansas’ virtual musical theatre dance class on February 25. Lamont tap danced in 3D Jazz Trio’s holiday video “Greensleeves.”

Olivia Thomas ’19:
Teaches Vinyasa Flow and yoga for kids at Be Hot Yoga and Be University based in St. George, Utah. Olivia attended AMDA NY before graduating from AMDA LA’s BFA Dance Theatre program.

Stephanie Torns ’07:
Instructed Broadway Bound Kids’  Waitress Master Class on February 25. Stephanie and Kyle Taylor Parker ’08 were featured in the launch of BroadwayWorld’s new platform Stage Door, which connects artists and fans with virtual shoutouts, classes, masterclasses and more. 

Anthony Dunning ‘06:
Has been selected as one of House Beautiful‘s Next Wave Class of 2021 designers. Anthony previously worked as one of 16 designers on “The Iconic Home” with Architectural Digest and BIDN. He is the owner of Trader’s Haven Design, a design firm based in NYC.