A bit of Broadway that is set for a king - a Lion King - is coming as a featured attraction for Alabama State University's Feb. 3, Founders' Day Convocation; as the University is featuring as its keynote speaker, ASU alumna and acclaimed actor, Bonita J. Hamilton, who stars as Shenzi in Broadway's "The Lion King."
A native of Montgomery, Hamilton is a 1997 graduate of ASU and has appeared in a myriad of Broadway and theatrical plays and productions.
While an undergraduate student at the University, she was a member of the ASU Dramatics Guild, the ASU Choir and was the captain of the Stingettes with ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets Band.
ASU's interim president said Hamilton is a "shining" example of all that is great with ASU.
"We are extremely proud to have a speaker of Ms. Hamilton's caliber to deliver the keynote address at the Founders' Day Convocation," said Interim-President Dr. Leon C. Wilson. "Bonita Hamilton has taken the name of Alabama State University from Montgomery to Broadway, and she is a shining example of the caliber of alumni that this great University produces. It is an honor to have her back home to share with our students and with this community from her wealth of experiences."
The University's 117th Founders' Day Convocation is scheduled for Feb. 3 (Friday), at 10 a.m. in the ASU Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
The event is free and open to the public and to all members of the Hornet Nation.
GO HORNETS!
More about Bonita J. Hamilton, ASU & Montgomery
In her most notable role as Shenzi for twelve years in the acclaimed Broadway musical "The Lion King," Bonita Hamilton displays her multifaceted talents on the world stage. Much like Hamilton’s own vibrant personality, her character Shenzi, leader of the hyenas, exudes intellect, sass and confidence.
The Montgomery native's formal preparation for stage and screen began at Alabama State University. As an undergraduate, Hamilton studied under the tutelage of her lifelong mentor, Dr. Tommie 'Tonea' Stewart (dean of ASU's College of Visual & Performing Arts, and a nationally acclaimed actor) and performed in "For Colored Girls" and "Dreamgirls." During her time at ASU, she also performed in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s "The Piano Lesson," "Guys and Dolls," "A Night in Tunisia" and participated in numerous readings at the Southern Writers’ Workshop Project.
Hamilton received an MFA in Theatre (2004) from Brandeis University. While in Boston, Hamilton was classically trained at The Guthrie Experience for Actors in Training with Andrew Wade and The Royal Shakespeare Company of London. She also appeared as Paulina in Shakespeare’s "The Winter’s Tale" and in renditions of "Ain't Misbehavin,'" "The Old Settler" and In the "Blood."
A resident of Brooklyn, NY, Hamilton is currently represented by CESD Talent Agency and RAM Management.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Monday, January 23rd 2017 at 6:51PM
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