AMDA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023 - Alumni

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
April 28, 2023

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Elyssa Samsel ’06:
Will serve as a judge for the 2023 Write Out Loud Contest, supporting up-and-coming musical theatre writers. Elyssa composed The Book Thief, which will play at the U.K.’s Coventry's Belgrade Theatre and Leicester's Curve Theatre this fall, following its successful premiere last year. Elyssa is also a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee as co-composer of Off-Broadway's Between The Lines.

TV/FILM

Sarah Stiles ’00:
Stars alongside fellow former Tootsie on Broadway castmate Santino Fontana in the short film Brenda and Billy, premiering at Tribeca Film Festival with three screenings this June. Sarah will also star alongside Peppermint ’99 in the world premiere of A Transparent Musical, based on the hit series, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from May 20 - June 25.

Sasha Calle ‘16:
Will star as “Supergirl” in The Flash, which released a new Official Trailer ahead of its theatrical release on June 16. An advanced screening premiered at CinemaCon this week to rave initial reviews. Sasha will also star in the upcoming feature On Swift Horses, based on the novel of the same name.

Nina Arianda ’04, Jack Moore ’17, Nick Signor ’20, and Nico DiPrimio ’18:
Appear in Season 5 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, now streaming on Amazon Prime. Nina discusses playing recurring character "Hedy" in a new interview. (Spoiler Alert)

Jahira Martinez ’17:
“Contraste Church Dancer” in the feature film Praise This, now streaming on Peacock. Jahira danced at the 2022 Soul Train Awards.

OFF-BROADWAY

Christopher Sieber ’89:
Will play “Character Actor” in Off-Broadway’s The Goodbye Girl from May 7 - 21 at Theatre Row. Christopher will also emcee The Music Conservatory of Westchester's 22nd Annual Golf & Tennis Classic and Gala on June 26.

REGIONAL THEATRE

Matias Bruno ‘22 and Gianna Vasquez Bartolini ’22:
Have joined the cast of Evita at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY alongside previously announced Jorge Echeverria ’17 and Matthew Malecki ’15. Performances take place from May 5 - 28.

Sy Chounchaisit ’15, Sam Harvey ’12 and Xavier McKinnon ’13:
Will perform in STAGES St. Louis’ production of Aida. Performances run at The Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center from June 2 - July 2.

Annika Rudolph ’20, Olivia DeJager ‘22 and Josh Medina ’20:
Joined the resident company at Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, IL. Annika, Olivia, and Josh will perform in their upcoming productions of Grease, The Sound of Music, 9 to 5, Bright Star, and Jersey Boys.

Jamie Fry-De Jager '08:
Stars as "Belle" in Beauty and the Beast at Rhode Center for the Arts in Downtown Kenosha, WI. Performances have been extended through April 30.

Jordan Jackson ‘14 and Almand Martin Jr. ’22:
Performed in 5 Star Theatricals’ production of Ragtime from March 24 - April 2 at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks CA. The production was choreographed by AMDA faculty member Michelle Elkin.

DANCE

Reilly Brassard ’21:
Performs in Cabaret Le Cirque at Eldorado Resort Casino at THE ROW in Reno, NV. Performances run through July 31. Reilly also performed in Eldorado Resort Casino’s holiday show last year.

Haley Grier ’20:
Performs as a Swing in the burlesque show On the Fringe at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Haley made her debut with the show earlier this month. 

Jess Alba ’21:
Dances in Wowashwow’s “Class Enrollment” music video. Jess is also featured in Guy Tang featuring Keon’s “No Means No” music video, and as “Willa” in the animated Wellie Wishers music video.

Janna Osborne ’19:
Performs in the official music video for YoungBoy Never Broke Again featuring Nicki Minaj’s song “WTF.” Janna previously performed with Toni Braxton in the Bryon Allen Comedy and Music Superfest on NBC and danced in Nicki Minaj’s “Tukoh Taka” music video.

INTERNATIONAL THEATRE

Schele Williams ’91:
Directs Disney's Aida in the Netherlands, which recently released new performance footage. Schele is on the Advisors group for the 2023 Prince Fellowship and will direct the Broadway-bound production of The Wiz.

TOURING

Sebastian Trevino ’20:
Cast member of the On Your Feet National Tour, and recently performed as “Emilio Estefan” in his principal role debut. Fellow AMDA alumni Gaby Albo ’13, Miguel Flores ’14, and Angelliz M. Rosado Ramos ’22 are also cast members.

ENTERTAINMENT / CRUISE

Michael Restaino ’15:
Directed Le Cabaret Rouge on the MSC Seashore cruise ships in Italy. Michael has also written 5 productions as Creative Lead on Azamara Cruises, which can be seen fleet-wide. 

MUSIC / CONCERT

Micah Henning ’12:
Will release his debut music album on August 11. Micah is also an Entertainer and Puppeteer, working with Magical Solutions Inc. and Furry Friends Inc in the Norfolk, VA area.

Darius de Haas '91:
Will perform Maisel and More at 54 Below on April 29 and May 6. Darius is also featured in a video roundup spotlighting artists set to perform in the American Popular Song Society Benefit Honoring Marilyn Maye on June 12.

Krystal Joy Brown ’04:
Recently performed at the Rosie's Theater Kids Gala. Krystal is nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for her role in Merrily We Roll Along, heading to Broadway this fall.

Madeline Brewer ’12:
Will star in the play Back in Theatre 4 at Theatre Row in NYC as on May 2 at 7 PM, as part of Abingdon Theatre Company's One Night Only Series.

Caissie Levy ’02:
Will host the concert Arts for Autism at the Gershwin Theatre on June 19. Caissie will star as "Diane" in the production’s UK premiere of Next to Normal at The Donmar Warehouse in London from August 12 - October 7.