Q&A GUESTS Including Tony Award-winner Nikki M. James - Des Moines Performing Arts
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2020 VIRTUAL BROADWAY CAMPS | FACULTY AND Q&A ARTISTS
Q&A GUESTS
Including Tony Award-winner Nikki M. James
We will welcome a special Broadway guest for a special Q&A each day, Tuesday-Friday.
Nikki M James is perhaps best known for originating the role of
Nabalungi in the Book of Mormon, for which she won a Tony
Award. She recently starred in Tony Kushner’s A Bright Room
Called Day at the Public Theater. Nikki was born and raised in
New Jersey, where she fell in love with the theater at a young
age. With the encouragement of her parents, she began her
professional career at age 13, appearing in commercials and
voice-overs. She attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts,
earning a BFA in drama. She made her Broadway debut in The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer, followed by a leading role in House
of Flowers for City Center’s Encores! Series, all while pursuing
her degree. After graduating, Nikki became a fixture in New York
theater: she originated the role of Lorraine in the Broadway
production of All Shook Up, performed alongside Phylicia Rashad
in Michael John La Chiusa’s Bernarda Alba at Lincoln Center
Theatre, and starred as Dorothy in The Wiz at the La Jolla
Playhouse (2006 Craig Noel Award). In 2008, Nikki took on
classical theater at the world-renowned Stratford Shakespeare
Festival, where she played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and starred
opposite Christopher Plummer in Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra.
Her other theater credits include the 2014 Broadway Revival of
Les Miserables (Eponine), Shakespeare in the Park productions
of Julius Caesar (Portia) and Twelfth Night (Viola), Dave Malloy's Preludes, and The Bubbly Black Girl
Sheds Her Chameleon Skin.
When not on stage, Nikki works heavily in television. She was a series regular on Braindead (CBS) and
Proven Innocent (FOX) in addition to recurring and guest-starring roles on The Good Wife, The Good
Fight, Bull, Blacklist, Instinct, and NCIS New Orleans, and more. Her film projects include the musical
comedy Lucky Stiff and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.
Nikki has performed at Carnegie Hall, NJPAC, and The Center for the Performing Arts, among others,
and has performed her solo cabaret show on land and sea.
She resides in New York City with her husband and her ancient cat. She's the proud aunt to Ozzie and
Moses and a sustaining member of her local public radio station.
Visit dmpa.org/education to register for our 2020 Virtual Broadway Camps.
July 13-17, 2020 | Students entering Grades 9 through first year college
July 20-24, 2020 | Students entering grades 6-8
As of July 7, 2020. Faculty and Q&A guests subject to change Page 1
2020 VIRTUAL BROADWAY CAMPS | FACULTY AND Q&A ARTISTS
Q&A GUESTS, cont.
Tia Altinay is an actor, singer, dancer and teacher. Recently
seen on Broadway and across the country in Aladdin, Chasing
Rainbows, Hamilton, Mary Poppins, A Christmas Story, Bombay
Dreams, HSM and Mamma Mia!. Along with performing Tia
continues to teach dance. Her classes offer a safe environment
for dancers to explore their own abilities as well as learn from
others. Tia loves sharing her passion and can’t wait to see you in
class! You may have seen Tia in Hamilton at the Des Moines
Civic Center in summer 2018.
Derek Klena is currently starring in Alanis Morissette’s Jagged
Little Pill on Broadway. He previously originated the role of Dmitry
in Anastasia in the recent Broadway adaptation. Other Broadway
credits include: The Bridges of Madison County (OBC), Wicked
(Fiyero, 10th anniversary company.) Off-Broadway: Dogfight
(Second Stage), Carrie (MCC). Regional: Anastasia (Hartford
Stage), Diner (Signature Theatre (D.C.), DTC), Unknown Soldier
(WTF), Hairspray (Hollywood Bowl). Derek is also known for his
appearances on television in “The Code” (CBS), “Unbreakable
Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix), “Quantico” (ABC), “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” (HBO), “Blue Bloods”
(CBS), “Law and Order: SVU” (NBC), and “Carrie Diaries” (CW).
Telly Leung is a New York City native. His Broadway & national touring credits
include Aladdin in Disney's "Aladdin" on Broadway, In Transit, Allegiance (with
George Takei & Lea Salonga), Godspell, Rent (final Broadway company),
Wicked (Boq, original Chicago company), Pacific Overtures, Flower Drum
Song. In 2010, he starred as Angel in RENT at the Hollywood Bowl opposite
Wayne Brady, directed by Neil Patrick Harris. Regionally, he's performed at
Philadelphia Theater Company, Pittsburgh CLO, The St. Louis MUNY, Dallas
Theater Center, The Shakespeare Theater Company in D.C., North Carolina
Theater, and North Shore Musical Theater. Television audiences will
remember him as Wes the Warbler on “Glee", as well as his guest star
appearances on "Instinct", “Odd Mom Out,” “Deadbeat” and “Law and Order:
Criminal Intent.” Telly is featured as a coach for the Jimmy Awards in the PBS
documentary, "Broadway or Bust". He can be heard on many original
Broadway cast recordings and has released two solo albums - I’ll Cover You
(2012) and Songs for You (2016) - on The Yellow Sound Label. He holds a
BFA from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama. He has taught master classes and courses at
American universities like NYU, Nazareth College, The University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon and Point
Park and has been a guest teacher at drama programs all over the world, from Edinburgh to Tokyo.
Twitter / Instagram: @tellyleung. Website: www.tellyleung.com
Visit dmpa.org/education to register for our 2020 Virtual Broadway Camps.
July 13-17, 2020 | Students entering Grades 9 through first year college
July 20-24, 2020 | Students entering grades 6-8
As of July 7, 2020. Faculty and Q&A guests subject to change Page 2
2020 VIRTUAL BROADWAY CAMPS | FACULTY AND Q&A ARTISTS
ACTING A SONG
Students will each receive two private coaching sessions to work on acting interpretation
of a musical theater song. Students will be assigned to work with a consistent guest
Broadway faculty member for both sessions.
MaryAnn Hu is from Los Angeles, CA. In addition to her television and film
credits, she made her Broadway debut in the musical Miss Saigon. She also
appeared numerous times as Bloody Mary in Lincoln Center's Tony Award-
winning revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific directed by
Bartlett Sher, and also as Lady Thiang in the Tony-winning revival of The King
and I starring Ken Watanabe (also directed by Sher). She has recently
appeared on Broadway in My Fair Lady, Disney’s Frozen, as well as the revival
of Sunday In The Park With George with Jake Gyllenhaal. She recurred for a
season on the NBC sitcom "Whoopi" opposite Whoopi Goldberg. Teaching the
week of July 20-24, 2020.
Julia Murney appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in
Wicked after playing the role on the national tour for which
she received an Acclaim Award. Other New York credits
include Lennon, The Wild Party (Drama Desk nomination),
The Vagina Monologues, Falling (Drama Desk nomination),
Crimes of the Heart, A Class Act, The Landing, Queen of
the Mist, and Time and Again (Lucille Lortel nomination).
She’s been seen regionally all over the U.S.-Signature,
MUNY, Sacramento Music Circus, to name a few-and in
concert she has performed solo shows nationally as well as
in NYC at Feinstein's/54 Below, Birdland, Joe's Pub & Ars
Nova. Symphony appearances have ranged from Carnegie
Hall to The Kennedy Center, Caramoor to Town Hall, from Malaysia to Maui & a lot of spots in between.
Among her TV credits are Madam Secretary, 30 Rock, Sex and the City, Succession, Brothers and
Sisters, all the Law and Orders, First You Dream and about a gazillion voiceovers. Films: The Report, Big
Time Adolescence, First One In. A Syracuse University graduate, her recordings include the original cast
albums of The Wild Party and A Class Act, the Grammy nominated Actor’s Fund Benefit of Hair and her
first solo album I’m Not Waiting, which is available on iTunes. Twitter: @juliamurney Instagram:
@pepamama. Teaching the week of July 13-17, 2020.
Kyle Taylor Parker Broadway Actor, best known for playing
Lola in the First National Tour of Kinky Boots. Recent credits
include the Off Broadway revival of Smokey Joe's Cafe and
the World Premiere of My Very Own British Invasion.
Featured in NBC's Jesus Christ Super Star Live in Concert
as well as the original Broadway casts of Kinky Boots and
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Teaching the weeks of
July 13-17 and July 20-24 2020.
Visit dmpa.org/education to register for our 2020 Virtual Broadway Camps.
July 13-17, 2020 | Students entering Grades 9 through first year college
July 20-24, 2020 | Students entering grades 6-8
As of July 7, 2020. Faculty and Q&A guests subject to change Page 3
2020 VIRTUAL BROADWAY CAMPS | FACULTY AND Q&A ARTISTS
ACTING WORKSHOPS
Students will participate in a small group acting workshop each day, Tuesday-Friday,
led by one of our guest Broadway faculty members.
Ahmad Maksoud is an NYC-based Egyptian American actor. Most recently,
he'd been rehearsing for the new musical "The Visitor" at The Public Theatre
before lockdowns were placed. While under quarantine, Ahmad has helped
workshop a new play with The Roundabout Theatre Co. He was previously
seen on Broadway and touring with "The Band’s Visit." Off-Broadway and
regional includes plays and workshops at The Atlantic Theatre, Lincoln
Center, New York Theatre Workshop, The American Repertory Theatre, The
Kennedy Center, The Eugene O’Neill Center, among others. TV credits
include The Blacklist, Madame Secretary, and The Good Fight. He's a proud
M.F.A. recipient from the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard University. He's provided
accent work for local NYC theatres and coached acting and singing for middle
to college aged students. Teaching the week of July 13-17, 2020.
Sharone Sayegh is currently playing Bonnie on the 1st National Tour of Come
From Away. She most recently originated the role of Anna in The Band’s Visit
on Broadway (OBC). Other Broadway: Mamma Mia!. Off Broadway: Mrs.
Trumbauer in Road Show (City Center Encores), Anna in The Band's Visit
(Atlantic Theater Co, World Premiere), Sharone in The Wildness (Ars Nova,
World Premiere), and Scheherazade in Scheherazade (Prospect Theater Co).
Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, Muny, Florida Rep, San Jose Rep. TV: Instinct
(CBS), Limitless (CBS). Syracuse University Alum, sharonesayegh.com
@sharonesayegh Teaching the week of July 20-24, 2020.
Alexandra Silber is an international actress, Grammy-nominated singer, and
author. In London’s West End she played starring roles Indecent, The
Woman in White, Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss Me Kate, and Carousel. In New
York she’s appeared in Hello Again, Master Class, She Loves Me, Song of
Norway, Arlington, and the 2016 Broadway revival Fiddler on the Roof.
Alexandra is a Grammy-nominee for her portrayal of Maria in the symphonic
recording of West Side Story, with San Francisco Symphony. Her debut novel
"After Anatevka,” and the memoir "White Hot Grief Parade" are both
published by Pegasus Books and also available on Audible.com. She trained
at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. www.alexandrasilber.net @alsilbs
Teaching the week of July 13-17, 2020.
Visit dmpa.org/education to register for our 2020 Virtual Broadway Camps.
July 13-17, 2020 | Students entering Grades 9 through first year college
July 20-24, 2020 | Students entering grades 6-8
As of July 7, 2020. Faculty and Q&A guests subject to change Page 4
2020 VIRTUAL BROADWAY CAMPS | FACULTY AND Q&A ARTISTS
DANCE
Each student will take a daily musical theater dance class.
Sara Brians is an award-winning director, choreographer and educator based
in NYC. Sara’s Broadway credits include Matilda, Billy Elliot, 42nd Street, White
Christmas, The Terms of My Surrender and After The Night And The Music.
Sara’s choreography credits include Cabaret, Spring Awakening, Godspell,
Follies (Nyit Award), Rock Of Ages, Man Of La Mancha, The Full Monty, Big
Fish, Chicago, Ring Of Fire, Merrily We Roll Along, Anyone Can Whistle,
Pippin, The Trouble With Doug, Newton’s Cradle and many more. Additionally,
Sara was a Rockette and she has worked at The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed
Opera House, Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Alley Theatre, The 5th Avenue
Theatre, Theatre Aspen, ACT of CT, Transcendence Theatre, Joe’s Pub, The
Duke, The 92nd Street Y, Town Hall and Merkin Hall. She is/has been on
faculty at Pace University, Manhattan School of Music, Duke University, AADA
and more. Visit www.SaraBrians.com & follow @brianssarak
Teaching the week of July 13-17, 2020.
Tiger Brown is a NYC based choreographer, associate, performer, and dance
educator. As the choreographer of last season’s Iowa High School Musical
Theater Awards Showcase, she is so thrilled to be back and working with the
amazing DMPA team! Favorite performing credits include Grease (Cha-Cha,
Stages STL), Elf (Nat’l Tour), Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl, Nat’l Tour),
Newsies (Tuacahn), and Matilda (John W. Engeman). Recent Associate
credits include Elf (John W. Engeman), Matilda (Regional premiere, Tuacahn,
and Engeman), and Daydream (co-choreographer, aired Spring 2020). Tiger is
part of the SDCF Observership class of 2018-19, a member of AEA, and a
proud alum of NYU Tisch. She teaches master classes and sets competitive
choreography all over the US. To keep up with Tiger, check out her instagram
@stigerb, and on her website at www.tigerbrownnyc.com.
Teaching the week of July 20-24, 2020.
Visit dmpa.org/education to register for our 2020 Virtual Broadway Camps.
July 13-17, 2020 | Students entering Grades 9 through first year college
July 20-24, 2020 | Students entering grades 6-8
As of July 7, 2020. Faculty and Q&A guests subject to change Page 5
2020 VIRTUAL BROADWAY CAMPS | FACULTY AND Q&A ARTISTS
VOICE
Students will each receive two private voice lessons to work on vocal health
and singing technique. Students will be assigned to work with one of our guest
performance professors from Midwest-based universities.
Shelley Cooper is currently the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre
at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL . Shelley has performed all over
the world for a number of companies such as Orlando Philharmonic
Orchestra, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Monroe Symphony,
Chicago Summer Opera, Opera Quad Cities, Orlando Repertory
Theatre, Shawnee Summer Theatre, Redhouse Arts Center, Varna
Opera Theatre, Bangkok Theatre Festival, Simbiose Produções in São
Paulo, Brazil and the Venetian in Macau, China. Most noted
performances are “Johanna" in Sweeney Todd starring Tony-Award
Winning Actress, Faith Prince, “Nellie” in South Pacific,“Cinderella” in
Into the Woods, “Ariel” in The Little Mermaid, "Armida" in Rinaldo,
“Edith” in Pirates of Penzance, “Berta” Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Varna
Opera Theatre in Bulgaria and the Soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah
with Bangkok International Orchestra. Her original one-woman show, La Divina: The Last Interview of
Maria Callas has been performed on three continents. Shelley is also an accomplished
Director/Choreographer specializing in Musical Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include The Drowsy
Chaperone, Big River, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Light in the Piazza,
Company, Elegies for Angels Punks and Raging Queens and Dames at Sea. Teaching the weeks of July
13-17 and July 20-24 2020.
Adam Yankowy is a theatre professor at Drake University where he
teaches courses in Musical Theatre, Voice, and Movement. Adam holds
his MFA in Musical Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato
(MNSU), Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of
Louisville, and a Musical Theatre Performance Certificate from AMDA,
NYC. Adam is an active participant in the Iowa High School Musical
Theatre Awards as an adjudicator and coach. Des Moines performance
credits: Young Frankenstein (The Monster)- DSM Community Playhouse
(Cloris Award Winner), Company (Paul/Robert U/S)- Iowa Stage. MNSU
credits: Les Misérables (Javert),Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
(Beast), Assassins (Leon Czolgosz), Mary Poppins (George
Banks), Titanic (Frederick Barrett). Off Broadway: Broadway’s Rising
Stars (Town Hall), Babes in Toyland (Lincoln Center), Ruddigore, The
Mikado, and The Pirates of Penzance (NY City Center). Other favorite
credits: big: The Musical (Paul/Zoltar), Oklahoma! (Jud), Curious George
Live! (National Tour), Streetmosphere (Venetian Resort in Macau,
China.) Music Directing credits: Pippin (Drake), 13 (DMYAT), Nice Work
If You Can Get It (Drake), Fun Home (Iowa Stage; Cloris Award
Winner), YAGMCB (DMYAT), Oklahoma! (Iowa State), Runaways (Drake), A Christmas Story: The
Musical (MNSU), Disney's Mary Poppins (SACT). Teaching the weeks of July 13-17 and July 20-24 2020.
Visit dmpa.org/education to register for our 2020 Virtual Broadway Camps.
July 13-17, 2020 | Students entering Grades 9 through first year college
July 20-24, 2020 | Students entering grades 6-8
As of July 7, 2020. Faculty and Q&A guests subject to change Page 6
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