You may know Zummy Mohammed from his standout American Stage roles such as “Tunny” in Green Day’s American Idiot, but he’s putting on his teaching cap to teach a dance and choreography masterclass that will help you ace any audition.
The masterclass will take place on September 25-26 at the American Stage Theatre. Find more information and sign up online at americanstage.org/shows/green-days-american-idiot
Here’s eight questions to help you get to know this knockout dancer a little better.
AS: Where are you from?
ZM: Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but currently based in New York City.
AS: What is your training as a theatre artist?
ZM: BFA Musical Theatre from Temple University.
AS: Why are you a teaching artist?
ZM: I am a teaching artist because I want to give my students the safe space I never had in my training. My goal as a teaching artist is to facilitate a learning environment in which students are able to learn and explore the craft, vulnerably, without feeling judged. I want to instill practices that the students can take in and out of the classroom that will allow them a better understanding of their craft, as well as themselves. I aim to teach students the necessary functions and knowledge of performance they can take out into the real world and apply in their training, auditions and performances.
AS: Coolest thing that has ever happened to you while teaching?
ZM: Seeing a student’s lightbulb go off when they have a breakthrough or a moment where they fully grasp the concept or exercise.
AS: What would you be doing if you weren’t a theatre artist?
ZM: I would be a zoologist.
AS: Why does arts education matter?
ZM: It allows students to use their creativity and parts of their brain that the world isn't so open to using. The world is not as black and white as it seems and that’s where the arts come in.
AS: What do you hope the students get out of this acting class?
ZM: New techniques they can apply to their training, comfortability in being vulnerable and confidence in their skill set and who they are as an artist.
AS: What’s a FUN fact about yourself?
ZM: I have 2 kitties that are my world. Wheezy and Kafta.
