Alumni Newsletter 2/19
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Senior Showcase
DAKAR 2000
"Beloved Community" Events
Honoring Black Excellence -Marjuan Canady
Celebrating Alumni Projects
Alumni Xhloe Rice's Ticket Offer
NYTW’s 2050 Administrative Fellowship
Job Opportunities
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fundraising Campaign
Performance, design, playwright and production students are hard at work preparing for their Senior Showcase this May!
Please consider showing your support by donating to the Senior Showcase Fundraising campaign. Finances raised contribute to potential job opportunities for our Fordham Theatre students and all donations are tax-deductible.
Click the link below to find out details about the campaign. Please share the link below with family, friends, businesses, colleagues, and supporters.
Thank you for your generosity and kindness.
DAKAR 2000
By Rajiv Joseph
Directed by May Adrales
YOU'RE INVITED!
Join May Adrales and Rajiv Joseph for a screening and talk back on February 20th, 7PM at New York City Center.
Go to nycitycenter.org to gain access to $30 tickets (plus fees), which is valid for all dates. Use discount code - FORDHAM - to get the $30 rate.
DAKAR 2000
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Directed by May Adrales
With Abubakr Ali, Mia Barron
Feb 4th - March 23rd
New York City Center Stage I
131 West 55 St
In Senegal on the eve of Y2K, an idealistic Peace Corps volunteer (Abubakr Ali) survives a mysterious car accident. An imposing State Department operative (Mia Barron) immediately takes command of the situation and his safety. Though they couldn’t be more different, they form an unlikely relationship. But when it becomes clear that they both have secrets, the volunteer is roped into a darker side of public service – one he can’t come back from. Unpredictable at every turn, this world-premiere thriller was commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club.
Abubakr Ali (Film: Anything’s Possible; Television: “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “Walking Dead: World Beyond”) and Lucille Lortel and Obie Award winner Mia Barron (Off-Broadway: The Coast Starlight, Hurricane Diane) will star in the world premiere of Dakar 2000, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist and two-time Obie Award winner Rajiv Joseph (Broadway: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo; Off-Broadway: King James at MTC, Guards at the Taj, Describe the Night) and directed by May Adrales (Vietgone and Poor Yella Rednecks at MTC). Joseph and Adrales previously collaborated on Letters of Suresh at Second Stage.
Fordham University
Sponsored
"Beloved Community" Events
As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and honor Black History Month, Fordham University invites the community to engage in events that celebrate Black culture, amplify Black voices, and inspire dialogue on justice and equity.
Mark your calendars for these Black History Month highlights:
February 19: Screening of the film “Origin” by Ava DuVernay at 1:00pm, Lincoln Center and Rose Hill) Bepler (Rose Hill) & McNally & Platt Court (Lincoln Center)
February 22: Love Your Hair Expo (Office of Multicultural Affairs, Rose Hill)
These events build on Dr. King's vision of the "Beloved Community" and our Jesuit mission of fostering equity and inclusion. Join us to honor his legacy and continue the work of creating a more just and compassionate world.
Fordham Theatre's
"Honoring Black Excellence"
featuring alumni
Marjuan Canady
In honor of Black History Month, we have a special three part "Alumni Friday" series with trailblazing CEO and Tony nominated Hell's Kitchen Broadway Producer Marjuan Canady. We at Fordham Theatre celebrate her resilience and excellence on Broadway and in the Boardroom!
In case you missed part 1 - Marjuan talked about how her Fordham education shaped her producing talents and contributed significantly to who she is today.
Take a look at the video below!
STAY TUNED:
Friday, February 21st, Marjuan will tell us about her experience as a CEO of a Black-owned entertainment business.
Friday, Februay 28th, Marjuan will close out our "Honoring Black Excellence" series with her focus on Broadway and her future projects! Don't miss it!
Producers: Catherine Otero, Lynn Masako Cheng, Arden Carethers
Interviewer: Lynn Masako Cheng
Director, Videographer, Editor: Catherine Otero
Follow us on Instagram!
We are thrilled to congratulate Eliza Pagelle (Class of '23), for her involvement in the world premiere of All the World’s A Stage, a new musical by Adam Gwon. The production is set to run from March 25 to May 10, 2025. Eliza’s dedication and talent continue to shine as part of this exciting project!
All the World’s A Stage is a moving new musical by Adam Gwon, the award-winning composer of Ordinary Days. Set in the 1990s, the story follows Ricky Alleman, a gay high school teacher in a small-town community who is forced to confront the reality of his carefully crafted life when an offbeat student enlists his help for a statewide theater competition. As Ricky’s efforts collide with the local church, his compartmentalized world unravels.
We are incredibly proud of Eliza and look forward to watching this inspiring production!
TICKET OFFERS
We are excited to congratulate Asa Nestlehutt (Class of '24), for directing the return of M4M, a bold reimagining of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. Grace Walworth (Class of '24), takes the stage as a cast member, while Nate Dallimore & Lee Lillis (Class of '24), bring their expertise to the production’s sound and lighting design.
Back by popular demand after a sold-out debut, M4M is a radical adaptation of Shakespeare’s most political comedy, transforming the original text into an urgent and necessary call to action. Set against the backdrop of a newly installed politician using their power to prosecute, this adaptation reexamines themes of justice, authority, and resistance in a contemporary context.
FORDHAM ALUMN Xhloe Rice (Class of '21) is a writer and performer for the new show "A Letter To Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First."
PLOT:
Boyhood is all about spit-shakes, rope swings, and playing soldiers, but only the good guys of course. Whether it’s stories around the campfire, pranks on their superior, or a prayer to their favorite president, these two scouts just want their moms to see the big strong men they’ve become.
A Letter To Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First is an absurdist two-hander that blurs the lines of 1960s American Boy Scouts and drafted US Soldiers in Vietnam using clowning, physical theatre, and storytelling.
From three-time consecutive Fringe First Award winners for their works And Then The Rodeo Burned Down (2022) and What If They Ate The Baby? (2023), Xhloe and Natasha will debut A Letter To Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First in their home city of New York.
NYTW’s 2050 Administrative Fellowship
Application deadline: April 4, 2025
The 2050 Administrative Fellowship is a paid, yearlong program designed to support early-career theatre administrators from underrepresented backgrounds. Fellows will work in one of several departments, including Artistic Workshop, Development, Education & Engagement, and Marketing, gaining hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development.
This fellowship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the work of The New York Theatre Workshop while developing skills in arts administration and expanding professional networks in the industry.
By the end of the program, fellows will have a deeper understanding of nonprofit theatre operations and the tools to pursue a career in the field.
Application Process:
To apply, visit NYTW Fellowship Page
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Creative Artists Agency: Speakers Assistant
Application deadline: Rolling
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is seeking an Assistant to support three Executives in the Speakers Department. This full-time, on-site position in New York City offers hands-on experience in event management, marketing, and client relations. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
This position provides an opportunity to work closely with industry professionals, assisting with event logistics, database management, social media content planning, video editing, and administrative support.
By the end of this role, the assistant will have gained valuable experience in event planning, talent relations, and marketing strategy within a leading entertainment agency.
Application Process:
Submit your application to CAA Careers
West Side YMCA: Theater Service Associate
Application deadline: Rolling
The West Side YMCA is seeking a Theater Service Associate for the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater. This part-time position offers experience in various aspects of theatre operations, including box office management, front-of-house operations, ushering, hospitality, and production support.
This role provides an opportunity to work closely with the Community Arts Director and production teams, developing essential skills in theater management and audience engagement.
By the end of this role, associates will have hands-on experience in live event coordination, patron services, and technical support, making it a great stepping stone for those interested in theatre administration.
Application Process:
To apply, visit West Side YMCA Careers
NBCUniversal Page Program: Summer 2025 Cohort
Application deadline: February 21, 2025
The NBCUniversal Page Program is a 12–16 month, full-time rotational program that offers early-career professionals hands-on experience across NBCU’s departments, including public relations, marketing, production, news, and streaming. Participants complete three unique rotations, gaining exposure to different areas of the media industry while building key professional skills.
This program provides an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, contribute to major projects, and develop a well-rounded foundation for a career in media. Pages will receive mentorship, career coaching, and networking opportunities with NBCU professionals.
By the end of the program, participants will be well-positioned to transition into full-time roles at NBCU, though placement is not guaranteed.
Application Process:
To apply, visit NBCUniversal Page Program
CNN Underscored: Social Media Intern
Application deadline: February 28, 2025
CNN Underscored is seeking a Social Media Intern for Summer 2025. This paid, hybrid internship offers hands-on experience in social media strategy, content creation, and audience engagement across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Interns will work closely with the Senior Digital Content Strategist, assisting in daily content posting, video production, and performance analysis. This role provides an opportunity to develop digital storytelling skills, enhance social media marketing expertise, and contribute to the growth of CNN Underscored’s digital presence.
By the end of the internship, participants will have built a strong portfolio of social media content and gained valuable industry insights.
Application Process:
To apply, visit WBD Internships