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MAY 2013
This issue marks 2013 as the 5th Anniversary of the BAVPA Beacon alumni newsletter. Thank you readers, supporters and contributors for
making this endeavor a success! If you would like to submit up to date bios or pictures, or if you have never submitted information, please
forward your material to Ron Mangum at [email protected] or Russ Link at [email protected]. This letter is a great way to keep
everyone informed about what’s happening in our lives; please help us to keep it going.
April 26, 2013, was a special day in BAVPA’s history; we celebrated our 35th Anniversary with a truly excellent party at the new school. More
than 200 alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends attended the event. Many thanks to the indomitable SHEILA JONES for her
incredible leadership and fortitude. In another lifetime Sheila might have been a General in the Marines. Of course, many others participated,
including her husband DON and her children NICOLE (1996) and DON, JR. (1993), who provided the superb food. YVONNE JAMES-BROWN
and her husband, Greg; RACHEL LYONS, Art Instructor; Michele Agosto, Supervisor of Art Education, Buffalo; CHRIS GEORGE, Arts
Coordinator; and MICHELLE SCHROEDER, PDAE Grant Coordinator were the superb staff who helped make the evening a night to
remember. Of course, our Principal, JODY COVINGTON (1988), was the gracious and beautiful hostess with the mostes’ on the ball. Thank
you, everyone! Next year 300! It’s up to us!
Here are photos from the event, courtesy of CLAUDIA MARSCHALL. Thank you!
BAVPA Principal and alumni JODY COVINGTON (1988) presented a
declaration from the Buffalo Fire Department and dedicated a memorial
stand honoring BAVPA alumni Buffalo Fireman JONATHAN CROOM
(1992) to his mother, ANGIE HEUSINGER.
Here’s a WGRZ-TV2 news story about firemen JONATHAN CROOM (1992) and Joseph McCarthy and their settlement battle. Journalist
CLAUDINE EWING (1988) reports: www.wgrz.com/news/article/206791/37/Council-OKs-Settlements-for-Families-Fallen-Firefighters .
Here’s the latest news and updates from BAVPA Alumni:
Congratulations go out to ALEXIS SPIGHT (2011). Her debut CD, L.O.L. (“Living Out Loud “) placed #3 on Billboard’s Gospel Album
musical chart. Here’s an Essence magazine article and video about her: http://ichoosegospel.com/2013/04/02/essence-com-showcases-alexisspight-in-new-and-next-series/ . She will be on tour with Marvin Sapp and will perform at the Palace Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, May 3. For
tickets, go to http://www.songkick.com/artists/476700-marvin-sapp .
CONNOR J. GRAHAM (2010) is a playwright and a magician. His play will be performed, free
admission, at the American Repertory Theatre of WNY’s Young Playwrights Festival, June 1617 and July 23-24,2PM-5PM, at Buffalo Canalside: http://www.artofwny.org/ .
TRAVIS HEDLAND (2008) will appear in the NBC-TV drama Hannibal airing Thursday
nights at 10PM,http://www.nbc.com/hannibal/ . He will also appear in the motion picture
remake of the Stephen King’s horror classic, Carrie, opening October 18:
www.carrie-movie.com/.
GRACE STUMBERG (2007) will perform at the Hamburg Music Festival’s Coyote Café, 36 Main Street
May 4 at 5:30PM. For more information, go to http://www.hamburgmusicfestival.com/ . Her new CD
Affect is now available on iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/affect/id563287165 :
BRANDON WILLIAMSON (2003) is the host/coordinator of Pure Ink Poetry Slam. The event is
held every Wednesday from 9:30-11:30PM, running through June 12, at Merge,439 Delaware
Avenue, Buffalo. Tickets are $5.00. For more information, go to www.pureinkpoetry.com.
James
JAMES BRANDON LEWIS (2002) performed at Poetry Magazine's 100th Anniversary celebration at the 92nd Street YMCA, Buttenweiser Hall,
NYC, April 8.
Singer CHRISTY SMOTHERS (1999), DAVID “TEASPOON” HULETT (1993) and ZURI APPLEBY
performed at Perfetto’s, in Buffalo, April 10 and April 24.
TILKE HILL (1996) is starring in a lead role of the historically based vampire horror film, Elizabeth
Bathory. The film is now in post-production and needs investors; this is a great opportunity! To help,
go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1977110311/elizabeth-bathory-a-psychological-horror-film.
RAICES, is a play- reading series of four plays written by Latin playwrights at Road Less Traveled Productions. The final reading
of the season was Coser y Cantar, starring SARIELYS MATOS (2000). The second half of the evening was an “exploration in words”
of the roles of Latinas in the United States, starring SMIRNA MERCEDES-PEREZ (1992) Sarielys and others. VICTORIA PEREZ
(1996) directs. Victoria is performing in The Clean House, running through May 12. Here’s an Artvoice magazine review of the
production, http://artvoice.com/issues/v12n16/theaterweek: http://roadlesstraveledproductions.org/programs/1950-2/ .
LIZ YOUNG (1995) owns a 10-year old Interactive Design and Production Studio
with business offices in Hoboken, New Jersey, Buffalo, New York, Santa Cruz,
California and Baltimore, Maryland. They design and build websites, software,
games, mobile apps, social media apps, etc. for brands such as Coca-Cola,
Nike, ESPN, Kraft Foods, and Google. She is also one of the co-founders of a
startup company called CoachMePlus. The product is a software app that
coaches and athletic teams use to maximize their strength and conditioning
workouts, currently being used by 3 NHL teams (including the Sabres), 1 NFL
team, and NCAA Division 1 teams.
Jen and Liz Young on their wedding day, September 10, 2010.
BJ LYONS (1994) and RON MANGUM (1988) portrayed the roles of Mayor Alan Trevor and District Attorney Nigel Turner in the independent
film drama, Explode. KAMERON D. WOOD (2011) also stars; here's the official film web site, http://explodefilm.com/EXPLODESOUNDS.html.
Ron will perform in the stage reading family drama, In Memory Of……… at Buffalo East, 1410 Main Street, Buffalo. Play dates and show
times,TBA.
KRISTEN CRAGE (1988) is a djembe and dun dun accompanist, specifically for West Africa Ivory Coast rhythms, for West African
Dance classes at Alvin Ailey’s dance school in NYC, www.alvinailey.org/ and a member of Kotchegna Ivory Coast Dance/Drum Company:
www.kotchegna.com.
Jon standing on steps with Mayor of Buffalo’s son, Byron Brown, Jr.
and Roger Killian
Cast of No God Could Ever Forgive Me
JON CESAR (1989) is portraying Earl Roman in the motion picture drama, The Romans, now in production. The film is looking for extras in
May (see below). He also performed in the Christian drama, No God Could Ever Forgive Me, April 20-21 at Global Kingdom Ministries in
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and was host of the Stop the Violence Coalition Incorporated 5th Annual Awards Banquet. The event was held
April 27 at Creekside Manor in Cheektowaga, New York, and the keynote speaker was University of Buffalo’s Senior Academic AdvisorEducational Opportunity Program (EOP) Mrs. Denise Y. Hare
Join the cast and crew of the feature film The Romans, a modern day version of the Julius Caesar set in the inner city of Buffalo, New York,
produced by Black Rose Films now shooting in Buffalo. Written and Directed by Korey Green, The Forgotten City of Knuckle City Films, and
Executive Producer Larry Quinn, presents The Romans. Here’s a Business First article about Mr. Quinn’s involvement with the film:
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2013/03/18/ex-sabres-exec-producing-movie-in.html?page=all .
Send a photo and resume to [email protected], Call times and the locations for each scene will be provided once
you have registered at the above e-mail address. (There is no compensation but screen credit will be provided.)
****ALL LOCATIONS ARE IN THE BUFFALO, NY AREA****
May 6, 2013 at Banquet Hall-11AM-5PM
Model looking African American and Caucasian women, ages 21-35
African American and Caucasian men and women, ages 30-65
May 7 and 8 from 10AM-2PM
Construction workers and laborers, ages 21-50
May 11, 2013 at 9AM
Location: Buffalo, New York City Hall
African American men and women, all ages.
May 11, 2013 at 5PM
Bingo Hall Scene-African American men and women, ages 50-plus.
ROBERT PATERSON (1988) will have the World Premiere of a new work (TBA) for Albany
Symphony's Dog of Desire, a film by Jay Craven, May 31 at the Experimental Media and
Performing Arts Center, Albany, New York, May 31 at 8PM. For more information, go to
http://www.robpaterson.com/.
LISA VITRANO (1988) will perform as Gertrude in Shakespeare in Delaware Parks’ Hamlet, opening
June 20 and running through July 14. She will also appear in the WNY premiere of Clybourne Park
at Road LessTraveled Productions this fall at thenew 710 Main Street Theatre :
http://roadlesstraveledproductions.org/2013/04/2162/.
An
JESSE L. MARTIN (1987) is portraying the role of Marvin Gaye in director Julien Temple’s biopic, Sexual Healing,
now in production. Former Law & Order co-star S. Epatha Merkerson is re-teaming with Jesse and portrays
Marvin Gaye's mother.Here's an article and interview from The Grio magazine; co-star Merkenson talks about the
film http://thegrio.com/?attach_external_tab&147803520&4&0&0&0&0&IEXPLORE . Indie film company Focus
Features International has picked up worldwide sales on director Julien Temple’s Marvin Gaye project.
http://www.eurweb.com/2013/04/focus-nabs-marvin-gaye-biopic-with-jesse-l-martin/ . Jesse will also portray
Reverend James in the film Silent Rhythm, now in preproduction with Tony and Emmy award winner Debbie
Allen ,of Fame fame. He also appeared as a special guest star on NBC- TV Broadway based series, Smash. He
plays theatre company artistic director Scott Welker, who is a potential love interest to Debra Messing's Julia.
Smash airs Saturdays at 9PM:www.nbc.com/smash/. He’s also starring in the Jerry Bruckheimer’s NBC-TV pilot
drama, The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, in which he will play Greg Cooke, a perpetual frat boy
and former hedge fund manager whose faltering finances force him into partnering with an unsavory business
associate. The series is slated for a fall premiere. His Law & Order 12th season is now on DVD:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Law-Order-12th-Year/12929 .
ANI DIFRANCO (1986) and several contemporary songwriters will have their songs featured in the World premiere musical, Talk to Me Now at
MuscialFare, opening July 10-August 17. For tickets and show times, go to http://www.musicalfare.com/page/season/title/2012-2013/ . For the
latest Ani news go to http://www.righteousbabe.com/.
JOHN MOODY (1986) portrays Cornbread in the TV One's Unsung Earth Wind & Fire mockumentary
parody, Unknown: The Ground Air & Electricity Story,
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KWvODZIIUok .
JOSEPH MAHFOUD (1985) of Johns-Street-Mahfoud performed at The Icehouse in Niagara Falls, New York April 20 with Derek Miller:
http://www.josephmichaelmahfoud.com/.
CAITLIN COLEMAN (1984) will perform in The Normal Heart at BUA, opening May 17. For tickets
and show times, go to http://www.buffalobua.org/enter1.html
VINCENT FOSSITT (1984) DAVID MALIA (1986) and NAHEEM SHABAZZ are members of the
Rock, Soul, Dub, Reggae, R&B, Ska and Funk band, The Rockaz. They will perform at the
Marcy Casino, Delaware Park May 5 at 5PM as part of the Give 4 Greatness fund drive.
Admission is $10.00; tickets can be purchased online at www.cincodemarcy.eventbrite.com.
They will also perform at the Buffalo & Erie County Library’s After Hours, Happy Hour fundraiser,
May 8, from 5:30PM-8PM. Tickets are $12.00 for library card holder and $15.00 for non-holders.
For tickets, go to the B&EC Library link.
TIM BOOKHAGEN (1982) will perform in Arsenic and Old Lace at the Niagara Regional Theatre,
playing May 3-19. For tickets and show times, go to http://www.niagaratheatre.com/
LUCKY PETERSON attended BAVPA from 1978-1979. He will perform at the Rio Das Otros Jazz and Blues Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,
May 29: http://www.riodasostras.com.br/ .
THE FOLLOWING ALUMNI’S GRADUATION YEARS ARE UNKNOWN
(If anyone knows the graduation dates of these alumni or if they attended BAVPA, please let us know)
PHIL DAVIS is the Founder and CEO of Alemaedae Theater. His company will have the World premiere of Stomp the Yard Step & Dance
Competition, May 2 at the Market Arcade's Dipson Theatre in Buffalo at 7PM. His next production will be Touched By an Angel, May 17-27. For
tickets, information and show times, go to http://www.webjam.com/atp2008 .
JOHN-HENRY GRANT is running for the Buffalo School Board Central District’s
seat; election date, May 7. Here's a WIVB-TV4 story about the BPS candidates'
press forum. http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/buffalo/forum-held-for-school-board-candidates .
MIKE HANSEN is the drummer for the punk rock band Pentimento; they will perform at The Chance Theatre, 6 Crannell Street, Poughkeepsie,
New York, May 28. Tickets are available, www.thechancetheater.com/event/237801-pentimento-light-years-poughkeepsie/.
FACULTY, STAFF & FRIENDS
KELLY M. BEUTH is an actor-director who teaches Theatre at BAVPA. She will portray Oedipus in the Brazen
Faced Varlets comedic adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex: A Fabulous Travesty in One Act!, opening May 2
and running through May 18 at Rust Belt Books, 202 Allen Street, Buffalo.
GEORGE L. DAVIS II is the choirmaster of BAVPA Resonance Vocal Ensemble Chorus and is a member of the Orchard Park Chorale.
BAVPA, City Honors and Williamsville East students performed in Voices Across the Americas at Bethel AME Church in Buffalo and Orchard
Park Presbyterian Church in Orchard Park, April 18 and 19: http://resonanceve.net/.
SAUL ELKIN is the founder of Shakespeare in Delaware Park and the Jewish Repertory Theatre. The
JRT will present The God of Isaac, opening May 9 and running through June 2. He is currently starring
In August: Osage County at the Kavinoky Theatre, running through May 19. For ticket and show times,
go to http://www.kavinokytheatre.com/ tickets.html. Also, SDP 2013 season has been announced.
For information, go to http://shakespeareindelawarepark.org/: www.jewishrepertorytheatre.com/.
LORNA C. HILL is a full-time Theatre teacher at BAVPA, directs BAVPA musicals
and is the founder of the Ujima Theatre Company . Ujima was the host of Sister
Circle, Our Stories in Our Words, April 13. Ujima’s next production will be Breath, Boom,
opening May 4 and runs through May 26: http://ujimatheatre.org/.
SANDRA LEE HITCHCOCK (FOLEY) was a parent volunteer in many of the BAVPA productions during the 1980's in the Costume Department.
She is the creator of the new BAVPA Beacon newsletter header. Sandra designs graphics and websites; for more information, go to
www.warandra-productions.com/Website_Hosting_and_Design.html .
JON LEHRER is a dancer, choreographer and founder of LehrerDance. The company will have its 2013 LehrerDance Summer Intensive
Courses at UB Center for the Arts, May 20-May 26. To register, go to http://www.lehrerdance.org/ .
DENNIS MAHER is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Architecture at UB's School of
Architecture and Planning. His art exhibit, House of Collective Repair, runs through
May 12, at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, where he is a 2012-2013 artist-in-residence.
His exhibit will include a screening of a Fargo House documentary produced by BAVPA
students.
FRANK SCINTA is the Music director of the BAVPA Chorus. The chorus will perform at the Blessed Trinity Roman
Catholic Church’s Trinity Concert Series, June 2 at 3PM. For more information, go to
http://blessedtrinitybuffalo.org/category/upcoming-events/.
Music teacher and Double Bassist PAUL M. SIEKIERSKI will perform a solo in the Niagara Concert Band's 3rd annual Concerto Competition
May 4 at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 875 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo at 7:30PM.
AMY TARAVELLA is a dancer/choreographer. She is the host of AltTheatre's Free Friday Salon Series,
featuring dance artists in residence. For upcoming performances, go to http://www.alttheatre.com/ .
Dancer, choreographer and educator MAKEDA THOMAS’ dance company will celebrate its 10th anniversary June 14 and 15 at New York Live
Arts. For more information, go to http://makedathomas.org/.
UPCOMING BAVPA EVENTS & HIGH SCHOOL REUNION NEWS
BAVPA Middle School play and Art Show Reception
Romana Quimby
Black Box Theatre
May 3, 9:40AM matinee and 7PM, May 4 at 2PM
Tickets: $3.00 for Students and Senior Citizens $6.00 - Adults
The Buffalo Sabres have announced a new campaign aimed at preventing bullying by educating and spreading awareness of its
harmful effects to children and young adults in Western New York and BAVPA is a participant. Here's a Niagara Frontier Publication
article about the cause and upcoming events, www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2013/03/26/110315/sabres-launch-anti-bullyingcampaign.
Call (716) 816-4220 or go to http://www.buffaloschools.org/Visual_PerformingArts.cfm for information regarding any of the above events. If
you would like to unsubscribe the BAVPA newsletter, please contact Ron Mangum or Russell Link at the emails in the opening paragraph
above.
The mission of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts Foundation (BAVPA Foundation) is to enhance and to enrich student
learning opportunities by providing additional financial support to the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts High School (“Arts
Academy”). Its singular goal is to facilitate the successful transition of Arts Academy students from high school to college. The BAVPA
Foundation Board of Directors meets regularly to plan and to implement programs designed to realize this goal. BAVPA Foundation is a 501©
3 not-for-profit organization incorporated in February 2010 and it solicits contributions from the public, individuals, alumni and the business
community to fund programs at the Arts Academy. These student academic opportunities and expanding performance opportunities for
artistically gifted students are designed to give students better opportunities to pursue their music and art studies in college. For further
information about the BAVPA Foundation, please e-mail questions or comments to [email protected]. The official link to the foundation is
http://bavpa.org/. The BAVPA Foundation is creating a home address mailing list for BAVPA alumni. Please email your home addresses to
KATE SULLIVAN at [email protected]. They are trying to expand their database to inform more people about their accomplishments and
upcoming events.
BAVPA ALUMNI & EDUCATORS
STEVE APPLER
1981
Visual Art Teacher, Amherst High School
KAREN TOMZAK
1981
Program Director of Dance at Western Carolina
University, Cullowhee, North Carolina
DEBORAH LIPA-CIOTTA
1982
Tapestry Charter School, K-4 Dance Teacher
CAITLIN BAUMLER-COLEMAN
1984
Tapestry Charter School, K-8, Grade ½ Teacher
OMAR CARTER
1984
Arts Teacher, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TRACEY HOLT COFIELD
1984
Principal, Tapestry Charter School, Buffalo
DONNA KERR
1984
City Honors Music, Buffalo
ARTHUR PERRY
1984
Crossing Guard and Volunteer Librarian Aid at
Clear Creek Elementary School, Kileen/Temple,
Texas
GEORGE DAVIS
1986
BAVPA Arts Vocal and Music Teacher
JAY INGERSON
1987
BAVPA Arts Theater Tech
ROMONA THOMAS-REYNOLDS
1987
Principal, Martin Luther King, School #39
JODY COVINGTON
1988
BAVPA Principal
JOSEPH MICHAEL MAHFOUD
1989
Tapestry Charter High School, Music Teacher
ORNIECE HILL
1990
Assistant Principal, South Park High School, Buffalo
SEAN CLEMENTS
1992
Bronx, New York
JESSE MANK
1994
Tapestry Charter High School, English Teacher
PATRICIA ENFIELD
1996
Elementary Education
TAMMY GAGOLA
1996
Elementary Education
NICOLE JONES
1996
BAVPA Dance
ERNEST KEEN
1996
Physical Education, Rochester
LISA SANTIAGO
1996
Vocal Music
LUCY ALTIERI
1997
Visual Arts
MICHEL DEVANS
1997
Tapestry Charter School, Buffalo
TANDY GREEN
1997
Elementary Education
MATTHEW HURLEY
1998
5th Grade Teacher, Raleigh, North Carolina
MINDY LUCAS
1998
PAUL SIEKIERSKI
1999
Music
MARIA INTORRE
2000
Elementary Charter School
DENNIS YACOBUCCI
2001
Brooklyn Special Education
CHRISTOPHER RUDROFF
2002
Music