Department of Fine and Performing Arts
DFPA News
Bowie State University partners with Laika to launch Studio Ayoka Chenzira, a stop-motion animation studio in the VCDMA program
The stop-motion animation studio, powered by LAIKA, will allow students at BSU and in the DFPA to develop, animate, and produce stop-motion and experimental animated productions, short films, and unique digital storytelling experiences, The space is also a green screen studio and is outfitted for digital, stop-motion animation equipment, cameras, and more and students will be allowed the opportunities to also combine stop-motion with other genres of animation and filmmaking including 2D, 3D animation, pixilation, motion graphics, sci-fi, and even immersive and virtual productions are planned in the future.
Myles Frost wins a Tony Award for MJ: The Musical
Myles Frost (Senior, Fine Arts: Music Technology) received the Tony award at the 75th Annual Tony Awards that aired on CBS. He won best lead actor in a musical for playing Michael Jackson and becomes the youngest solo winner in that category and is currently featured on Broadway in MJ: The Musical
Target features VCDMA fashion design by alumnus Sharone Townsend
Sharone Townsend, (VCDMA, Fashion Design, '22) design was selected as part of "Black Beyond Measure" campaign by Target
Ryan Johnson and Sole Defined
Ryan Kenneth Johnson (Theatre Arts, Dance and Movement Studies, '19) was just featured in a New York Times article "They're Used to Tapping. Now They Are Talking." Ryan has also appeared in on and off-Broadway productions, including Cirque du Soleil, and serves as the Artistic Director of DC based dance company Sole Defined.
DFPA alumni worked with Megamind Media and BET+HER
Several DFPA alumni while students under the VCDMA and Theatre Arts majors successfully worked as production interns under various departments for short films that aired on BET+HER . These powerful films are part of a series titled THE COUCH and are part of the network's campaign to focus on mental health awareness month. They are all directed and produced by women and the executive producer is BSU alumna, Tressa Azarel Smallwood, through her studio Megamind Media. These films were directed by Kim Fields, Victoria Rowell, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Sheryl Lee Ralph and others. Watch The Couch.
VCDMA Student(s)
- Chase Taliaferro (Senior, VCDMA, Animation & Motion Graphics)
Alumni
- Ariyanna Agnew (VCDMA, Advertising Design, '20)
- Didas Akognon (VCDMA, Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media, '20)
- Stacey Amon (VCDMA, Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media, '22)
- Kaylin Luces (VCDMA, Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media, '22)
- Ahmed McClendon (VCDMA, Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media, '20)
- Madison Simmons (VCDMA, Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media, '22)
- Whitney Jefferson (Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, '20)
- Shalom Omo-Osagie (Theatre Arts, Acting & Directing, '20)
HBCU in LA student film
Mia Joseph (VCDMA, Animation & Motion Graphics, '19) represented Bowie State well as an animation production intern with Sony Picture Animation team this summer. Additionally, as part of the HBCU in LA Internship Program, Mia served as the Co-Director of our inaugural HBCU in LA Student Film Project. She along with 30 HBCU Scholars visited Los Angeles this summer. The students received mentorship from industry leaders and professionals during the making of the film. Panavision and the Cinematographer’s Union provided top of the line equipment and crew for the project. HBCU in LA are proud to be the first program to showcase aspiring HBCU student writers, directors, actors and below-the-line talent to the industry! Below is a behind-the-scenes video of the inaugural HBCU Student Film Project. Never before has an HBCU student produced film been showcased to the industry.
Check out the making of HBCU in LA student film