Graduation Ceremony February 27, 2021 - AMDA
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Graduation Ceremony February 27, 2021
INTRODUCTION Video Presentation
WELCOME David Martin, President
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESSES Mamie Parris
Rizwan Manji
ANNOUNCEMENT OF GRADUATES Video Presentation
MESSAGE TO GRADUATES AMDA Faculty
and Staff
CLOSING David Martin
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTS Welcome to AMDA’s Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement! Today is about you. What you have accomplished in your final two semesters is truly inspirational. Our AMDA community — YOUR AMDA community — stands in awe. To persevere in the face of uncertainty is the hallmark of a true artist. In this one endeavor, you have succeeded beyond all measure. Your determination, flexibility, and refusal to be defeated has been a joy to witness. We are here at this meaningful crossroads to celebrate you, our soon- to-be graduating students and your families. Of the many silver linings that have come from this global crisis, one enduring truth we have been reminded of is that we are a family — your AMDA family — you, your faculty, your staff, your fellow alumni, and your parents and families — we have joined together more deeply than ever, and in so doing have become an even richer, more loving community. Commencement means “beginning,” and we are all, indeed, beginning a new chapter now. May this next chapter in our journey be filled with wonder, joy, strength, kindness, and courage. And let’s hold each other in our hearts along the way. We miss you, we love you, and we can’t wait to be together with you again. Congratulations to you all! Jan and David Martin Presidents
THE AMDA MISSION AMDA provides rigorous, performance-based training and an industry-focused education experience, one that inspires excellence and prepares artists with an appreciation for the universal power of transformation through art. AMDA’s education philosophy is based on close collegial interaction between instructors and students — in class, in production and through active mentorship. AMDA is committed to providing an unsurpassed performing arts education to a diverse community of creative artists. AMDA serves as both school and stage where students are given the support and opportunity to define their own personal objectives and to develop and refine their own distinctive artistic voices. AMDA strives to create an environment for students to develop the skills, confidence, imagination and power to contribute to their community as artists, entrepreneurs, visionaries, lifelong learners and conscientious citizens of the world. Above all, AMDA wants to teach students that commitment and passion are the hallmarks of a successful and joyous career.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
MAMIE PARRIS
AMDA alumna Mamie Parris has been studying
strangers’ habits and creating imaginary worlds since
she was a toddler. Many years later she realized these
were just symptoms of a chronic affliction known as
“the acting bug.” Since then she has developed a
diverse and unique body of work throughout her
extensive career. Best known for her one-of-a-kind
rendition of the iconic “Memory” she is no stranger to
the work of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, having starred
as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats, as
Rosalie (closing cast) and Patty (opening cast) in Broadway’s School of Rock, and
most recently in the US premiere of the Lloyd Webber retrospective Unmasked.
Other Broadway appearances include the Tony-nominated revivals of Ragtime,
110 In The Shade, and On The 20th Century, as well as the Tony-winning
musical The Drowsy Chaperone. Across the country, she appeared as Elphaba in
the First National Tour of fan-favorite Wicked, as well as performing with the
touring companies of Legally Blonde and Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5. Other credits
include roles at Arena Stage, The Old Globe, The Goodspeed Opera House,
Pittsburgh CLO, the St. Louis Muny, The Macau International Music Festival,
and more. Film and TV credits include “The Blacklist,” “State of Affairs,” and
A Standup Guy. She is a sought after master class instructor and performs as a
soloist with distinguished symphony orchestras across the country.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mamie attended the Paseo Academy of the Arts
in Kansas City, Missouri, before graduating from the American Musical and
Dramatic Academy. She currently resides in the Pocono Mountains with her
husband, Johnathan, and shih tsu mix, Cookie.
Mamie extends a big congratulations to AMDA’s newest graduates. Look at how
far you’ve come!COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
RIZWAN MANJI
AMDA alumnus Rizwan Manji is perhaps best known
for playing the eternally optimistic real estate agent
Ray Butani in the beloved CBC comedy “Schitt’s
Creek,” with Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. At
the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, the series’ final
season swept all seven major comedy awards,
including Outstanding Comedy Series. Rizwan is also
acclaimed for his portrayal of Rajiv, the hysterically
officious, scheming assistant manager of a call center
in the NBC comedy “Outsourced.” This
groundbreaking TV show was the first American
sitcom to be based in India and feature a predominantly Indian cast.
With a prolific career spanning more than 20 years to date, some of Rizwan’s
memorable film credits include The Wolf of Wall Street, Charlie Wilson’s War, The
Dictator, Transformers, Don Jon, Equals, The Tiger Hunter, Paterson, and the
Canadian/Indian co-production Dr. Cabbie. Rizwan recently starred in the 2020
comedy short “Midnight Curry,” and will star in the upcoming film Basement
alongside his son, Aariq Manji.
Rizwan has also appeared on many hit TV shows including “Mr. Robot,” “Glee,”
“Arrested Development,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Without a Trace,”
“NCIS,” and “Bones.” Rizwan’s other popular roles include the royal advisor
Tick Pickwick in SyFy’s drama series “The Magicians,” based on Lev Grossman’s
bestselling fantasy novels, and Reverend Jax in the NBC musical comedy series
“Perfect Harmony.” Rizwan will also star as Jamil in James Gunn’s The Suicide
Squad spinoff series, “Peacemaker,” on HBO Max.
Rizwan congratulates the newest AMDA graduates and wishes them the best in
their next endeavors!ASSOCIATE OF OCCUPATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAMS
Sara Butts* Diontre Lawrence
Alizee M. Falque* Kristina Posten
Leah M. Harris Taylor B. Valenzuela
Sienna Lara Emmanuel A. Zamora
*Graduating With HonorsBACHELOR OF FINE ARTS PROGRAMS
Raquel N. Abalos Lauryn B. Hendricks Emily J. Richardson*
Tennile Adams Sarah T. Hunt Arielle C. Ridley*
Zachary D. Albrecht Charles Johnson Mikaela G. Rios
Aureal N. Bennett* Robert Johnson Janeari Robbins
Moniq M. Bevans Danbrielle Z. Jones Jaquez Robinson
Jasmine M. Black* Bradley P. Langan* Jason I. Rodriguez*
Monique A. Bland Aerielle Lee Daniela Salgado
Alexander E. Boyd Renina S. Lewis Emily A. Schultz*
Baylor Browning Sabrina A. Linker Rikia D. Shelby
Kylie Buckles Matthew A. LLabres Sabin Shrestha
Catherine Q. Carlino* Desiree D. Lopez-Torres* Nicholas Signor*
Samantha L. Chavez Sundae N. Love Sarah Sisay
Kieana Chisolm Valerie Luevanos Savanah M. Skaggs
Stephanie Conklin Emily Maroni Keeley A. Slaughter*
Claire M. Costanza* Elyssia M. Maysee Jana K. Souza*
McKae W. Cox Kayla C. McAllister Shelby E. Swien
Dorothy M. Davis Caden A. McClaren Kayin H. Thompson
Tyra Depillars* Miranda L. Mobley* Jaylynn A. Trapp*
Ikeyah Edwards Pearl L. Morgan Madison A. Vandenbrekel
Hannah E. Frederick* Mystic A. Morrison Jordan G. Whitelow
Ivanna Garcia Morales Diana E. Navarro Fiona Whitson*
Heather Giudice Sarah A. O’Connor* Gemariah E. Williams
Nakima S. Guidroz Eric S. Park Yasmin L. Xavier*
Camryn A. Hampton* Kerrie Praylor Aratz Zuazo Cabezas
Presley Hawk Christopher Raymond
*Graduating With HonorsAMDA PROGRAMS BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMS BFA Degree in Acting BFA Degree in Music Theatre BFA Degree in Dance Theatre BFA Degree in Performing Arts AMDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree Programs were created to provide an extraordinarily innovative curriculum and a special environment for the performing artist. As the institution is uniquely devoted entirely to the performing arts, each program contributes to the others and to the whole in a powerfully synergistic manner. The BFA programs at AMDA foster artistic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, socially engaged performance and the spirit of collaboration. AMDA challenges its students to grow as artists and individuals and to explore the world of performing arts through performance and creation. Our prestigious faculty cultivates, nurtures and prepares students through rigorous and comprehensive training. Included in the program structure are carefully curated courses from the liberal arts canon designed to provide a core education relevant to the life and career of a working artist. Students gain the solid entrepreneurial foundation necessary to thrive in the performing arts industry and become innovative contributors to society.
AMDA PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE OF OCCUPATIONAL STUDIES DEGREE PROGRAMS AOS Degree in Acting AOS Degree in Musical Theatre AOS Degree in Dance Theatre The Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) programs encourage individual artistic growth and discovery within a comprehensive yet concise four-semester structure. The carefully crafted curriculum provides opportunities for intense and focused development of essential skills and techniques. Each student’s individual passion, imagination, and creativity are cultivated within a variety of performance opportunities offered each semester. AMDA’s faculty, known for maintaining active involvement in the professional performing arts industry, are an integral part of each student’s learning outcomes and success. Course work in the AOS programs emphasizes a respect for craft combined with demanding standards, mirroring those necessary to succeed in the competitive professional performing arts industry.
THE AMDA LEGACY
AMDA New York on W. 61st Street AMDA New York on Broadway
C
elebrating more than 50 years as one institution quickly established itself as an
of America’s premier conservatories integral part of the New York performing arts
for the performing arts, AMDA is community, garnering early support from
recognized throughout the industry for its rich Broadway’s theatre elite, including Sammy
history and tradition of launching some of the Davis Jr., Dina Merrill, Carol Channing,
most successful careers in theatre, film, and Richard Burton, and renowned actress
television. AMDA began its journey in 1964 Elizabeth Taylor.
with the philosophy that the training of all
performing artists — whether they be actors, AMDA soon became known throughout the
singers, or dancers — is greatly enhanced by performing arts world for critically acclaimed
including an immersive, multi-disciplinary fundraising productions, which gave tribute to
curriculum. This concept of “cross training” such luminaries as Stephen Sondheim, Julie
was cutting edge at the time; no other program Styne, Ira Gershwin, and Cole Porter. These
offered this innovative form of training. The shows featured numerous icons of the stage andAMDA Los Angeles on Yucca Street screen, such as Angela Lansbury, Liza Minnelli, of Occupational Studies programs, as well as Bette Midler, and Kevin Kline. a Bachelor of Arts program. Under David Martin and Jan Martin’s For more than 50 years, AMDA has set the leadership, AMDA grew exponentially in standard in Performing Arts higher education. both size and scope, developing innovative Today, AMDA is a thriving institution and programs of study while achieving national community which includes thousands of accreditation with the National Association of prominent alumni in every field of the Schools of Theatre (NAST). In 2003, AMDA entertainment industry as well as in countless opened its Los Angeles campus in Hollywood, other professions across the globe. As we look fulfilling the Martins’ long-term vision for the forward to the next 50 years and beyond, our school to be centered in the two Performing commitment to nurture citizens who shape Arts capitals of the world. AMDA now offers the life of our local, national, and global multiple Bachelor of Fine Arts and Associates communities, remains as strong as ever.
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