Ameenah Kaplan (born June 17, 1974) is an American actress, musician, and choreographer.
Early life and education
Kaplan was born on June 17, 1974, in Denver, Colorado. She was raised in Atlanta, where she graduated from Avondale High School for the Performing Arts. She also attended Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and trained in their experimental theater wing. She is a graduate of the Academy of Art University film school.
Career
She has been a drummer since age 12 and was a member of the original American cast of STOMP. She is the west coast drum coach for Blue Man Group.[1] She has played drums and/or percussion with Ty Taylor of Vintage Trouble, Adam Lambert, Alisan Porter, Macy Gray, Rihanna, Taylor Hicks, Lisa Haley and the Zydecats, Drake, Leslie Odom Jr., Scarlett Cherry, and the Twinz. She has performed on Oprah, Conan O’Brien, The Academy Awards, the AMAs, the Grammys, and the Tonight Show.
She is the resident director of The Lion King on Broadway.[2]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Broken Silence | Ashaela | |
| 2002 | Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey | — | Documentary short |
| 2011 | Apocalypse According to Doris | Serena | |
| 2018 | Avengers: Infinity War | Gamora's Mother | |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame | Gamora Reader |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | — | Episode: "Art Show" |
| 2000 | 18 Wheels of Justice | Olivia | Episode: "Sleeping Dragons" |
| 2002 | Strong Medicine | Patsy | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Cold Case | Letitia Castillo | Episode: "Disco Inferno" |
| 2005 | Veronica Mars | Loretta Cancun | Episode: "M.A.D." |
| 2007 | Hannah Montana | Mom | Episode: "Smells Like Teen Sellout" |
| 2007 | Partners | Neighbor | Television film |
| 2009 | Medium | Nurse #4 | Episode: "Pain Killer" |
| 2009 | Heroes | Female Airport Police | Episode: "Shadowboxing" |
| 2011 | Harry's Law | Forewoman | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2011 | Mr. Sunshine | Angie | Episode: "Hostile Workplace" |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | SID Tech | Episode: "Big Rock Mesa" |
| 2011, 2013 | Grey's Anatomy | Makena | 2 episodes |
| 2011–2013 | The Office | Val | 14 episodes |
| 2015 | Falling Flat | Zoe | Television film |
| 2017 | Veep | Female Butler | Episode: "Blurb" |
Choreography
| Year | Show |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Prove It On Me |
| 2009 | Oedipus The King, Mama! |
| 2009 | Frosty the Snow Manilow |
| 2009 | Altar Boyz |
| 2010 | The Ballad of Emmett Till |
| 2010 | The Women of Brewster Place |
| 2010 | CHiPs the Musical |
| 2010 | A Wither's Tale |
| 2011 | Camino Real |
| 2011 | BASH'd! A Gay Rap Opera |
| 2012 | In the Red and Brown Water[3] |
| 2014 | Facing Our Truth: The Trayvon Martin Plays |
| 2014 | Raditatical[4] |
References
- ↑ "Ameenah Kaplan: Carving Out A Niche | Tom Tom Magazine". 28 October 2013. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ↑ "Smash-hit musical 'The Lion King' roars into Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ↑ Grigware, Don. "BWW Reviews: IN THE RED AND BROWN WATER Provides Culturally Intriguing Entertainment". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ↑ "Ameenah Kaplan :: LA Drama Critics Circle". 18 December 2014. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
External links