A BODY OF DANCING
LAS CRUCES, N.M.— He is a modern day Shakespeare in his own right. With notable works including Killing Buddha, Algernon D’Ammassa is living out his passion as a lifelong, tenacious performer of the arts.
Growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, Algernon was first involved in the theater after participating in a play in grade school. Though he does not remember feeling particularly inspired with his role, it was the start of what would flourish into a lifelong career.
Prior to moving to New Mexico, he completed a decorated theatrical education at New York’s Eugene Lang College, and Rhode Island College, both with a Master of Fine Arts in theater and acting respectively.
He moved to Los Angeles and became the founder and director of Theater Dojo, a teaching project that offered workshops in acting with the added inclusion of meditation, and martial arts. Eventually, Algernon moved to New Mexico where he resurrected the dormant project in 2014 in Deming before moving to Las Cruces.
By 2015, Killing Buddha, an original play written by D’Ammassa, became the Fringe Pick at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival and was later recognized in 2016 for outstanding storytelling at the San Diego International Fringe Festival.
D’Ammassa’s Theater Dojo specializes in portable performances that has delivered tours across the country. Their newest work, Songs of Un-Creation (which he co-authored premiered), at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival in July, and is preparing for an upcoming tour across the Southwest.
Adding to his already impressive performance resume is a series of short films, which Algernon has contributed both supporting and leading roles. His most recent film, Princess (2014) he plays the father a young girl who grows up to be a soldier.
Today Algernon is an adjunct professor at New Mexico State University teaching classes through the campus performing arts center and creative media institute. Today fans can keep up with the Algernon his upcoming projects on his blog, “Notes From a Burning House”.
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