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BFA PLAY: Dancing At Lughnasa This Tony Award-winning play by Brian Friel is set in Ireland’s County Donegal in August 1936 in the fictional town of Ballybeg. Set during the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh, a frail elder brother returns from life as a missionary in Africa, only to discover his five sisters struggling to find their way in life. Directed by Jen Bloom.

BFA MUSICAL: Thoroughly Modern Millie Book by: Richard Morris and Dick ScanlanThoroughly Modern Millie the musical is a comic pastiche based on the 1967 film of the same name. It tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money instead of love — a thoroughly modern aim in 1922, when women were just entering the workforce. Millie soon begins to take delight in the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by a nefarious character. Directed by Thomas O’Leary.

DANCE CONCERT: Body Language The Spring Dance Concert (formerly Dance

Workshop), is a fast-paced intensive process that provides students the opportunity to work with professional choreographers in the development of original dance works, culminating in performances. Styles may include ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, cultural, period and contemporary. Dance Concert provides intermediate and advanced level dancers the opportunity to stretch and grow beyond the classroom.

This season’s theme, Body Language, will explore various forms of nonverbal communication, wherein physical behavior reveals clues to some unspoken intention or feeling. Co-directed by Kyle McHargh and Genevieve Carson, the Concert will feature choreography by Amanda Wells, Adam Parson, Genevieve Carson, Kyle McHargh, Queala Clancy, Louis Jones and Ricky Palomino. As part of the Concert, there is an exciting opportunity for students to develop their own original works of choreography! Info sheets are available at Reception.

BLACK BOX PROJECTSThe Black Box Projects are geared towards creating a presentation based on a theme and built around the abilities and strengths of the

cast. The productions are presented in one of our “black box” style studios adorned only with simple sets but crafted with unlimited imagination.

The Black Box Acting Project: Celebrating International Playwrights, directed by Bill Mesnik, will feature scenes from plays around the world.

The Black Box Musical Theatre Project: Timeless Classics, directed by Nick DeGruccio, will celebrate iconic musical selections that represent the timeless repertoire of musical theatre. Set in the format of a classic musical revue, numbers from Showboat to West Side Story will be performed, in an evening of music and songs from songwriters Rogers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin and many more.

New this spring, the Black Box Dance Theatre Project: Groove Theory, will be an exploration of hip-hop and hip-hop fusion in a variety of styles. Co-directed by Donyelle Jones and Daria Tertova this Black Box Project will feature choreography by Tommy Miller, Trey Rich, Miguel Antonio, Daria Tertova, Donyelle Jones, Trisha Miranda, Dr. Rennie Harris, Devin Jamison and Andey J.

E ach semester, students will experience dozens of opportunities to perform — for

their peers, faculty, invited guests, even industry professionals. From full-scale theatrical, Broadway, and dance productions to Café and Black Box venues, every part of the students’ Los Angeles education is steeped in the experience of defining their vision through performance. The spring season of shows includes a new Black Box Project for dancers, brings back the new musical concert and staged play reading and offers showstopping titles for the BFA musical, BFA Play and Dance Concert (formerly Dance Workshop). Our Artist’s Lab series will continue to provide multidisciplinary platforms for creation and collaboration as students bring their ideas to the page and the stage.

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Spring 2014 Semester Season of Shows

Meet the new Director of Health and Wellness

Student Liaison Committee Welcomes New Members

New AMDA t-shirts,hoodies and jackets

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“Flight,” summer 2013

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MUSICALS IN CONCERT: bare: A Pop Opera. Book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolobare, also known as bare: A Pop Opera and bare the musical, is a rock musical with a poignant story that focuses on two gay high school students and their struggles at their private, Catholic boarding school. Musical Director: Kathryn Lounsbery.

STAGED READING: Dead End, Written by Sidney KingsleyPulitzer Prize-winning writer Sidney Kingsley’s 1935 play Dead End is a mosaic of interwoven stories about tensions between the haves and have-nots. At its center is the Dead End Kids — a gang of teenagers who

make the streets and wharves of Manhattan their home away from home — and an idealistic young architect (the play’s romantic interest and moral conscience) who clashes with murderous gangster “Baby Face” Martin. The play was adapted into a movie starring Humphrey Bogart in 1937 and spawned several Dead End Kids sequels and spinoffs. Directed by Jim Bontempo.

The Artist’s Lab Shows: Student-Initiated Projects Café and Raise the BarréIn the style of small cabaret shows, AMDA LA Café offers an intimate performance space for a variety show with a completely new lineup each semester. The evening features individual and small group performance pieces intended to celebrate all the performing arts genres.

Raise the Barré gives students the opportunity to present dance works of all styles. Whether it’s a solo piece showcasing original choreography or it’s a group performing choreography adapted from a well-known choreographer, the possibilities are endless.

Finding Your Voice WorkshopsThese intensive, collaborative workshops run for 11 weeks and give selected students the chance to work with an AMDA faculty member or guest teaching artist to develop, cultivate and present original work. The lineup changes each semester, and this

spring AMDA is offering four workshops: Voice-Over Acting, Sketch Comedy, Editing for the Performing Artist and AMDA INK: Adanced Creative Writing.

Student-Initiated ProjectsAMDA students experience what it’s like to pitch and execute production projects.

Project 15 is a great place to experiment. Students are encouraged to develop streamlined, creative projects that can be

presented in their entirety in 30 minutes or less.Student Vision Projects are a bit more

involved and become a challenging opportunity for students to independently develop original performance projects. Students play a variety of roles in the production of artistic works.

In the final tier, Student Vision Productions, students are expected to take full charge of their production, from making the pitch to screenings and all the way to the stage.

ShowcasesDance Senior Project and Dance Conservatory Showcase : The New Hollywood Codirected by Nicole Berger and Tracy Silver, instrumental music, spoken word and a capella vocals accompany choreography by Genevieve Carson, Dasha Tertova, Kyle Mchargh, Adam Parson, Donyelle Jones, Wendy Rosoff, Nicole Berger, Tracy Silver, Queala Clancy and Ingrid Graham. Also accepting submissions for student choreography. Information is available at Reception.

Conservatory ShowcaseEach semester, AMDA showcases the representative works of our Conservatory students as they finish up their intensive four-semester program. Performers positively shine in this production that’s not to be missed.

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AMDA INKWant to be a published writer? Student writers in the AMDA INK workshop are crafting the new literary magazine and preparing the cornerstone pieces for the first issue. They’re ready to open the pages up to student submissions for the inaugural issue—to be published in the Spring 2014 Semester. The magazine editors are accepting original poetry, short stories/ flash fiction, personal essays and dramatic writing (one acts, excerpts of short screenplays, monologues and more). Complete information sheets are available at Reception, 2nd Floor Main Tower Building.

Student Vision Project

MUSICALS IN CONCERT: bare: A Pop Opera.

STAGED READING: Dead End

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Q: If you could choose anyone to be your partner on the “Amazing Race,” who would it be? A: MMA fighter Gina Carano.

Q: What is your favorite full-body exercise movement? A: The Burpee. It works all your muscles for stretching/reflex and power and works upper and lower body and cardio.

Q: What is your #1 way to keep your energy up on a busy day? A: I carry snacks and water with me at all times.

Q: What are your favorite snack foods? A: Strawberries, and roasted red pepper hummus with pretzels.

Q: What is your favorite Winter Olympic sport? A: Figure skating. I wanted to be Kristi Yamaguchi! She is the 1992 Olympic Champion in ladies’ singles.

Q: What is your favorite stress-relieving activity? A: I run. I’ve run 5

marathons: Los Angeles twice, Huntington Beach twice and the latest one was Honolulu. Here, I love to run on the Santa Monica bike path along the beach, then through Temescal Canyon to the Pacific

Palisades Bluffs.

Q: What is the last book you read? A: I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher, NFL player for the Ravens. I love anything about the personal story in sports, and his story is about overcoming the odds and beating poverty.

Q: Do you have pets? A: Yes: Two dogs, Phoenix, a Schipperke, and Sprinkles, a miniature dachshund.

Q: What is your favorite flower? A: My all-time favorites are sunflowers.

Q & A with Shari Sipka:New Director of Health and Wellness

Now Open: The Health and Wellness CenterLocated on the 4th floor of the Vine Building, the AMDA Health and Wellness Center provides students with first aid treatment and rehabilitation for minor injuries. The services are offered by our new expert Health and Wellness Director, Shari Sipka. Other services will include preventive care and referrals to outside health care providers for general medical queries. Appointments are available. Walk-ins are welcome.

Call 323.603.5991 or email: LAHealth@amda.edu

Pumpkin Carving Party, Fall 2013

See page 8 for Shari’s tips for staying healthy all semester long!

AMDA LA Field Trips, Ticket Opportunities and Campus EventsAMDA LA’s Resident Assistants (RA’s), Student Services, Education Department and faculty members work to bring fun events and educational outings to students each semester. Almost every weekend one of our Resident Assistants hosts an event such as a gardening day or an ice cream social for all students to enjoy.

The events often take place in AMDA’s Residence Halls (current students living off-campus are always welcome), but on occasion we have the opportunity to adventure as a group to one of our many Southern California attractions. Hiking and beach days are always popular, along with opportunities to see shows for free or at discounted prices.

Shari Sipka is a Certified Athletic Trainer with 10 years of experience caring for athletes.

Vine Building, 4th Floor

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Adam (M.A., Information Science and Learning Technology) brings his expertise to our AMDA Performing Arts Library as we expand to meet the needs of our AMDA community.

Q: What was the most surprising thing about AMDA’s Library? A: The size. It’s deceptive how much is packed into the space! There are more than 10,000 titles in there. We add items on a regular basis, including things of general interest to students, like Lana Del Rey music as well as scholarly items. Right now we have an Academy Awards display with all new materials.

Q: What would be your dream vacation?A: Australia. It is exotic but it would be easy to navigate because of the same language. I’d do river and outback excursions. But I’d probably get eaten by a crocodile … or maybe I’ve just watched too many creature features … I love killer crocodile movies like “Blackwater” and “Rogue.”

Q: What is on your Spotify right now?

A: The “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack! It’s not the greatest movie but it has a great soundtrack. I have a personal goal to see all the Oscar-nominated movies, and I just watched this one. I’ve been working on this project for the past

12 years, and I watch about 400 movies a year.

Q: What book are you reading now?A: “Catching Fire” and I’m in the middle of “Mocking Jay.” I read at lunch.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone … ?A: Elizabeth Taylor. She has been my favorite actress since I was 13. I’d ask her about all the secrets you can’t learn from biographies. She had a fascinating life.

The Education Department Welcomes You to the Spring SemesterAMDA’s Education Department looks forward to all of the exciting opportunities our campus offers students during spring 2014. For questions about courses, curriculum, or academic planning and support, visit Reception, 2nd Floor Main Tower Building, to make an appointment with a member of the Education Department Staff.

AMDA Performing Arts Library NewsMeet librarian Adam Waldowski

Interested in FREE Performing Arts Magazines?

Great News! AMDA LA has purchased a fantastic new resource for students to get free access to performing arts magazines. The International Index to Performing Arts is an online database with more than 300 titles available.

Take advantage of this special opportunity courtesy of AMDA’s Library! Research your favorite performer or a show for a paper that is due. Stay on top of the news and read the latest reviews. Improve your game. Discover a new technique.

GET STARTED NOW!From computers in the library:1. Click on the icon labeled:

Log In – ProQuest2. Username: AMDA3. Password: WELCOME

From home computers:Type or paste the URL into your browser: http://is.gd/Au82jK4. Username: AMDA5. Password: WELCOME

Questions?For questions or help logging in, stop by the library on the 3rd floor of the Main Tower.

You are also welcome to contact the library by phone at 323.603.5924 or email at amdalalibrarian@amda.edu.

Adam Waldowski

Adam loves killer crocodile movies.

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The Student Liaison Committee Welcomes New MembersMake Connections and Build Community

Left to right: Current Student Liaison Committee members, Carly Paul, Peter Elizalde and Karlee Squires

Holiday Toy Drive a Big Success In a joint venture with the SLC and faculty, AMDA LA helped raise funds and donate toys to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive last semester. In all, the AMDA community raised $218 and collected several large bins of new gifts for children in our Hollywood neighborhood.

This spring, Student Services welcomes seven new student leaders to the Student Liaison Committee (SLC). These new SLC members are eager to dive into the work with the current members building community and representing the greater student population. Our SLC student leaders hail from all programs and across all semesters of the BFA and Conservatory Programs here at AMDA. Please join us in congratulating the newest SLC members:Erika Gonzalez, 1st semester, BFA Performing Arts;Carren Graves, 1st semester, Integrated Conservatory;C.J. Lamar Davis Jefferson, 5th semester, BFA Acting;Eric Johnson, 1st semester Studio Conservatory;Prentis Luster, 5th semester BFA Acting;Ella Rodriguez, 3rd semester, BFA Acting;Maria Romero, 2nd Semester BFA Acting.

Left to right: Holiday Toy Drive: Students Gabi Stewart, Haley Johnson and Tiffany Zern

Student Account Reminders!Did you know?You can set up a convenient AMDA LA CAFÉ account or add funds to your existing Café account by visiting the 4th Floor Student Accounts Office, 8:45 am – 5:45 pm, M–F.

Email: lastudentaccounts@amda.edu Phone: 323-603-5960

The AMDA LA Café baristas can instantly check your account balance for you when you are at the café!

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They described the dance as an opportunity to reconnect with classmates after the holiday break. Alyssa noted that being on the committee gave her a feeling of accomplishment and said that all the committee members brainstormed and worked together to bring great food and music for a fun time on campus. Dominique added that having students organize is important because students know what is important to students. The SLC took suggestions for music all week, and three student DJs — Tre’veon Briley, Cameron Armstrong and Colby Pitts — played favorite tunes all night. The food and snacks ranged from grilled cheese to a candy table with every kind of candy. Both committee members thought that people participating in this second year were more excited than last year, going all out to dress up and have fun. Student Morgan Van Gemert noted that the photo booth was awesome and confessed that she spent most of her time there arranging photo shoots with friends.

Winter Dance RecapDance Committee members Allyssa Rupert and Dominque Van Wyk helped organize the Second Annual Winter Dance in January.

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New York or Hollywood style, performers need to look the part, and this fall they can with AMDA’s 1964 fashion line for future celebs. Celebrating 50 years in the biz, AMDA go-to styles put an emphasis on performance that’s equally at home on the street or stage.

For her, artists-in-training can feel snug in the Spandex Cadet Jacket featuring a tapered cut that manages plenty of room to stretch. Form-fitting, warm, and to the point is the Triblend Full Zip Hoodie with attitude to boot. Be bold now young artists, and feel the rhythm in maroon with the “Flowy” simple V-neck. Or stroll the boardwalk in what else but the Jersey Tee V-neck in asphalt. It’s casual calm in the storm of the city rivaled only by the ultra cool Jersey Tank in navy or dark gray heather. If you’re intense, get something that speaks to that intensity. The Racerback Tank is clenched behind the shoulders for a take-no-prisoners look that will be sure to garner critical attention. And where do you go to get these goods? Why, the AMDA Café of course.

Show the WorldCasual street wear for performers

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SERVICES PROVIDED:• First aid and ice for injuries• Evaluation, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries• Rehabilitation• Referrals for general medical needs

TIP #1 NutritionFood gives our bodies the energy to complete our training. Healthy eating does not have to be expensive. Try creating a list before heading to the grocery store.

TIP #2 SleepRegular sleep increases your ability to concentrate in class and perform physical movements with more precision.

TIP #3 Exercise

Frequent exercise strengthens your body, improves concentration, and helps you to maintain high energy levels.

TIP #4 Mental Health

You deserve to be happy. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.• Keep in touch with family

and friends.• Build new friendships.• Expect and adapt to

change.• Build your confidence• Set goals.• Live in the moment.

TIP #5

Drugs & Alcohol

Drugs and alcohol impair your ability to perform and to learn new material such as memorizing lines and choreography.

TIP #6 Time ManagementStress weakens your body and can lead to illness and injury. Managing your time goes a long way to reducing stress. Try the following:

• Get a calendar.• Write down everything.• Schedule time to relax.• Find a system that works for you.• Be flexible.• Plan ahead.• Plan for the unexpected.• Reward yourself.

TIP #7 When You’re SickWash your hands and avoid sharing beverages to prevent the spread of germs. Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of fluids and see a doctor if symptoms worsen.

HEALTH WELLNESS CENTERVINE BUILDING, 4th FLOOR

Health and wellness are key components to your success at AMDA. Shari Sipka, Director of Health and Wellness, can help you address your health care needs.

Call 323.603.5991 or email LAHealth@amda.edu.