Graduation Ceremony February 28, 2021 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 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 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! Aaron Henry Allen Krista Hawkins Hannah Rivera Tianna Alley Tyler Charles Humphrey Madeline Ruby Rufo Evandra Aurelia John Jackson Laura Salway Amy Kassy Ba Kate Janse Ariel Jomar Sanchez-Bello Jada Barger Barger Emily Francesca Knedel Doriana Schoner Nicola Barrett Chloe Larabie Sierra Rose Scott Abby Berry Christopher Lin Peyton Shaffer Ania Noelani Briggs Micah Linzy-Young Evan Sheets Kevin Buffolino Sisloob Lo Heaven Lee Smith Teddy Calvin Wanna Lyu Kacey Ann St. Jean Zarina Nudalo Cameron Delaney MacFarland Hannah Margaret St. Jean Samantha ‘Milette’ Casado Frankie Ashton Marrs Megan Styrna Krystal Castillo Dagmar Marshall-Michelson Tom Sys Samuel Yuanhong Cheng Kayla Martinez Alexia Szkolnik Jack Clark Tiana McGee Frank Tirimacco Kayleigh Marie Cook Rory Chandler McRae Sebastian Treviño Aiden Katharine Cox Josh Medina Catherine Dania Variani Kaplan María de Elía Kyla Milan Miller Jahlia Walker Amanda Katheryn Disney Gus Montano Eli Zaccheus Weary Jaylen R Dixon Sade Moesha Morris Tyra Monique Willer Christine Echeandía Marco Andres Muxo Miyu Yamada Charlotte Forster Valeria Marie Nieves Sydney Alexandra Gauvin Jacob T. Perry Trenton Allen Hargraves Nicholas Ponder AMDA PROGRAMS PROFESSIONAL CONSERVATORY PROGRAMS The Studio Program (Acting for Stage, Film and Television) The Integrated Program (Musical Theatre, Acting and Dance) Dance Theatre Conservatory (Dance for Stage, Film and Television) The Professional Conservatory Programs at AMDA offer intense, specialized training focused in the disciplines of acting, musical theatre and dance theatre. Each program’s curriculum has been designed with the professional performer experience in mind. A curated progression of courses helps students to develop a cohesive synthesis of imaginative and technical performing arts skills. Faculty members, known for maintaining active involvement in the industry, help students develop artistically and intellectually for demanding careers in the performing arts. THE AMDA LEGACY AMDA New York on W. 61st Street AMDA New York on Broadway 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 Cfor 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 and AMDA 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. THE AMDA MISSION A MDA 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