AMDA Alumni Newsletter - May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023 - Alumni

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
May 12, 2023

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

J. Harrison Ghee ’09:
Featured in a recent interview with The New York Times. J. Harrison has earned a Tony Award nomination for their role in Broadway’s Some Like It Hot performing alongside Jarvis B. Manning Jr. ’06.

Serrin Joy ’21:
Discussed her career journey and upcoming projects in a talk and performance at her high school, reported by Beacon Journal. Serrin is an AMDA NY graduate and current LA student. Serrin was recently signed by A&R Productions and will release her debut solo album this year.

Meredith Patterson '96:
Recently launched her company Merie Productions. Meredith previously performed in Rumours: The Music of Fleetwood Mac with Alpine Theatre Project and released her memoir, Confessions Of An Actress: From Chorus Girl to Broadway Star.

Peppermint ’99:
Featured in recent interviews with Out Magazine and GLAAD discussing her starring role in the world premiere of A Transparent Musical alongside Sarah Stiles ’00, her upcoming Netflix show titled Survival of the Thickest, and stand up special. Peppermint and Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95 also participated in the Drag Isn’t Dangerous telethon on May 7.

TV/FILM

Luke Tennie ’16:
Featured in Variety highlighting new Emmy contenders for his role in Shrinking on Apple TV+. Season 1 is now streaming, with Season 2 on the way.

Becca Tobin ‘05:
Stars in The Wedding Contract premiering on Hallmark on June 17. Becca co-hosts The Ladygang podcast, which has received its first Webby Award nomination for Best Podcast Live Recording. Becca has co-written two books with The Ladygang.

Anthony Ramos ’11:
Will star in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, which recently released a new clip. The film will premiere in theatres on June 9. Anthony is on The Centennial Honorary Committee for "This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture" exhibit at Museum of the City of New York.

Olivia Noel ’21:
Plays “Amber” in The Pregnancy Promise, premiering on Lifetime Network on May 11 at 8 PM EST. This marks Olivia’s film debut.

Cassandra Naud ’14:
Stars in the new film Influencer. Watch a trailer for the film, available to stream on Shudder on AMC+. The film screened at the Brooklyn Horror Film Fest earlier this year.

Edlynn Okano ‘97:
Plays “Mya” in this week's episode of Good Trouble, which premiered on Freeform and is streaming on Hulu. Edlynn also plays “Elaine” in The Good Doctor and “Monique” in Blowback.

BROADWAY

Josh Drake ’11:
Performs in Broadway's Bad Cinderella, which streamed its Act II Opening live on YouTube on May 9. Josh also recently performed choreography from the show’s song "Man's Man" in a Playbill exclusive.

TOURING

Hosea Mundi ’22:
Has taken over the role of “Simon” in the Jesus Christ Superstar North American Tour. Hosea joined the tour last year as an Ensemble member and understudy for “Judas” and “Simon.” 

REGIONAL THEATRE

Ebony Marshall-Oliver ’05:
Will star in National Black Theatre’s public presentation of Black Mother Lost Daughter (BMLD) at The Flea Theatre in NYC from June 21 - 25. Ebony previously starred in Broadway’s Ain't No Mo'.

Alexander Perez ’13:
Wrote the play The Bad in Each Other, being presented at Playwrights Horizons as part of the Downtown Urban Arts Festival on June 10. Alexander also wrote Randy's Dandy Coaster Castle, which starred Susana Montoya Quinchia ’15 at the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre in NYC.

Jared Tyrel Pixler '14, Ana Luiza Bourroul '22, and Trinity Alyse Curtis '22:
Involved in the upcoming world premiere of Boom, Headshot! A Geek Tragedy at Hollywood Fringe 2023. Jared is Director and Creative Producer of the production, with Ana as "Gladys," and Trinity playing "Clarisse" at select performances. Performances take place throughout June at The Actors Company: Let Live Theater in Los Angeles, CT.

Sean Edward Varner ‘22:
Plays “Karl Muller” in The History of Now, based on stories from survivors of the Holocaust. The performance takes place on June 17 at Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT.

Michael Restaino ’15:
Will direct and choreograph Rock of Ages at The Bourbon Room in Los Angeles, CA from July 6 - 16. Michael recently directed Le Cabaret Rouge on the MSC Seashore cruise ships in Italy. 

Maria Briggs ’11:
Performs in Monty Python's Spamalot at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. from May 12 - 21.

Peppermint ’99 and Sarah Stiles ’00:
Star in the world premiere of A Transparent Musical, based on the Amazon Prime series, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from May 20 - June 25. Listen to them perform a preview of the show’s musical number "Chosen Family" in rehearsal.

INTERNATIONAL THEATRE

Schele Williams ’91:
Directed Disney's AIDA in the Netherlands, which has released additional performance footage and photos. Schele is on the Advisors group for the 2023 Prince Fellowship and will direct the Broadway-bound production of The Wiz.

WEB

Katherine Leister ’22:
Posts video content as LeiLikeADog on YouTube, including song covers and voice over projects. Katherine recently graduated from AMDA NY Integrated Conservatory program.

MUSIC / CONCERT

Darius de Haas '91:
Featured in BroadwayWorld ahead of performing in ASA Honors Lillias White at Chelsea Table + Stage on May 22. Darius recently performed his show "Maisel and More" at 54 Below on April 29 and May 6.

Danny Drewes ’09:
Will star in My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra at Bill Hanney’s Theatre By the Sea in Rhode Island. Performances run May 24 - June 11. Danny previously performed in the premiere of the concert Good and Evil: The Music of Dracula at The Green Room 42, directed and produced by Michael Restaino ’15.

Charity Angel Dawson ’05:
Will perform the Janice Jam: Broadway Rocks for Breast Cancer. The benefit concert raising money for breast cancer research will take place June 5 at 6 PM at Haswell Green’s in New York, NY. 

Adi Schor '17:
Has joined forces with The Israeli Artists Project, a non-profit organization producing Israeli theater works in Hebrew and English in New York, NY, to be an integral member of their future productions. Read more about this partnership in BroadwayWorld.

Mauricio Martinez ’99:
Will perform a solo show at Greer Cabaret Theater at Theater Square Complex in Pittsburgh, PA on October 2. Mauricio stars as “Cervantes/Don Quixote” in Man of La Mancha at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL through June 11 and discussed the production with Herald Tribune.

Brittney Mack '10:
Will be featured in the album SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT, available for pre-order ahead of its June 23 release. This is the first Original Broadway Cast Recording ever recorded live on opening night. Brittney currently stars alongside Tyrick Wiltez Jones '00 in Great Lakes Theater's production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ through May 21 at the Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH.

Brennyn Lark ’14:
Will perform in Beethoven: Live in Concert, in-person and livestreamed, on May 15 at Green Room 42 in New York, NY. Brennyn previously starred as “Catherine Parr” in Broadway’s SIX with Brittney Mack ’10.

READINGS

J. Cameron Barnett ’95:
Plays “Gregers” in David Auburn’s adaptation of The Wild Duck. This presentation is part of Classic Stage Company’s Reading Series. J. Cameron is also featured in the film Allswell and FX’s Pose.

DANCE

Sherri Gonzalez '17:
Danced in Omarion’s set at the Lovers & Friends Fest in Las Vegas, NV on May 6. Sherri danced on the American Music Awards with Brazilian singer Anitta and Missy Misdemeanor Elliott. 

Jamal Wade ’16:
Creative Director and Director of Sevyn Streeter’s “It’s a Man’s World.” Jamal was featured in Dance Magazine alongside Riley Groot ’15 and Cassidy Ratliff ’18 discussing their AMDA education, and how their dance programming prepared them for their careers.