AMDA Alumni Newsletter - May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023 - Alumni

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
May 26, 2023

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Amanda Kloots ’02:
Creates and leads fitness classes for caregivers in a new initiative with Voltaren. Amanda spoke about the partnership, motherhood, and multitasking in a new interview.

Darius de Haas '91:
Will be honored with the St. Clair Bayfield Award at the Actors' Equity Foundation Awards for his performance in Shakespeare in the Park’s production of As You Like It. Darius performed at ASA Honors Lillias White at Chelsea Table + Stage on May 22.

TV/FILM

Sasha Calle ‘16:
Will star as “Supergirl” in The Flash, which released its final trailer ahead of its theatrical release. An advanced screening premiered at CinemaCon this week to rave initial reviews. Sasha will also star in the upcoming feature On Swift Horses.

Sarah Stiles ’00:
Stars in the horror comedy film Brenda and Billy, which will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival in June. Watch a trailer here. Sarah and Peppermint ’99 star in the world premiere of A Transparent Musical at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles through June 25.

Kathryne Isabelle Easton ’04:
Wrote, directed, produced and stars in the film Valleyheart. The film co-stars fellow alumni Mary O’Neil ’05 and John Herholdt ’04, and screened at LA LIVE Regal 14 on May 25. Kathryne earned awards for Best Director at the Film Threat Awards, as well as Best actress and Best Supporting Actor at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival for her first feature film Borrelia Borealis.

Tiffany Engen ’06:
Appeared on a new episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime, which premiered on NBC last week and is airing on Peacock. Tiffany currently performs alongside Jessie Alagna ’01 in Off-Broadway’s production of Millennials Are Killing Musicals though May 28.

BROADWAY

Samantha Gershman ’10, Karli Dinardo ’13, and Neka Zang ’02:
Took home Chita Rivera Awards at this year's award ceremony. Samantha is a Swing in A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, which won the award for “Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show.” Karli and Neka from Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ won for “Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show.” Check out photos from the event.

Josh Drake ’11:
Performs in Broadway's Bad Cinderella, which will host special performances on April 19 and April 26 for students from under-resourced communities. Bad Cinderella will close on June 4, bringing to an end Andrew Lloyd Webber's 43-year-long streak of shows on Broadway.

OFF-BROADWAY

Joy Woods ’19:
Celebrated her official Opening Night as “Audrey” in Off-Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors on May 17, after returning to the production on May 2. Go inside her Opening Night, featuring fellow cast members Zakiya Baptiste ’16, Camryn Hampton ’20, and Broadway director Schele Williams ’91.

REGIONAL THEATRE

Maria Briggs ’11:
Wrapped performances of Monty Python's Spamalot at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. 

James Everts '18 and Rianny Vasquez '21:
Cast members of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, CA. Performances run June 2 - 25, with Opening Night set for June 3. James plays "Isaachar” and Rianny is an Ensemble member in the production.

Milan Anderson '17:
Will star in Big Money at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival. Performances take place at The Actors' Company on select dates from June 3 – 24.

Ray Fisher ’07:
Will reprise the role of “Muhammad Ali” in Fetch Clay, Make Man at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, CA. Performances run from June 18 -J uly 16, with Opening Night set for June 25. Ray will also reprise his Broadway role in The Piano Lesson for Netflix’s upcoming film adaptation.

Anastacia McCleskey ’03 and Ashley De La Rosa ’17:
Join the cast of RENT at The Muny from August 4 - 10. Anastacia will star as “Joanne Jefferson” and Ashley will star as “Mimi Marquez.” Anastacia will star in Disney Princess – The Concert this spring and summer. Ashley will emcee the opening ceremony for the 2023 International Thespian Festival in June.

Samantha Gershman ’10 and Katie Moya ’13:
Perform in Evita at The REV Theatre Co in Auburn, NY through June 20. Samantha stars as “Eva Peron” and Katie is a member of the Ensemble.

PODCAST

Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95:
Hosts the new podcast "Dinner's on Me," now available on podcast platforms. Jesse discussed the podcast in a new interview with Mashed.

MUSIC / CONCERT

Nicole Raviv ’13:
Featured in Jewish Journal discussing her career thus far and performance of “Narrow Bridge” to celebrate Israel’s 75th Anniversary.

Stephanie Torns ’07:
Will headline Broadway On The Rocks cabaret series at the Hyatt Regency Orlando’s Rocks Lounge on June 16. Stephanie stars alongside Anastacia McCleskey ’03 and Charity Angel Dawson ’05 in Waitress: the Musical - Live on Broadway! premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival this summer.

Charity Angel Dawson ’05, Emily Padgett-Young ’05, and Jennie Harney-Fleming ’10:
Took part in Amas Musical Theatre's Annual Gala Benefit Concert at Theatre 555 in NYC on May 15. 

Christopher Sieber ’89:
Performed at BroadwayWorld’s 20 Year Anniversary benefit concert on May 21. Christopher played “Character Actor” in Off-Broadway’s The Goodbye Girl at Theatre Row earlier this month.

Marti Cummings ’06 and Michael LaMasa ’07:
Marti performs their solo concert Drugs, Drag, and Divorce, directed by fellow graduate Michael. The concert shares hurdles Marti faced in getting sober, getting divorced, and using drag as a tool to heal and grow, and takes place at Joes Pub in NYC on May 26 at 9 PM ET.

Soara-Joye Ross '98:
Performed at the Arena Stage Annual Gala Honoring Molly Smith on May 23 in Washington D.C. Soara-Joye recently starred in the developmental reading for The Gay Divorcee: A New Cole Porter Musical, conceived by Bradley Allan Zarr ’09 and co-starring Lamont Brown ’13.

Jason Derulo ’06:
Released the new single "When Love Sucks" featuring Dido. Jason has earned multiple nominations as the host and creator of Project Icon at the 12th annual National Reality TV Awards, and also recently released the single “Glad U Came.”

DANCE

Sherri Gonzalez '17:
Danced in the music video for “Indestructible” by Shab. Sherri recently danced in Omarion’s set at the Lovers & Friends Fest in Las Vegas and on the American Music Awards.