On May 18, the NAACP Award-Winning Amazing Grace Conservatory launches its 28th Anniversary Season with “FAME ’25,” an electrifying revival of the timeless musical.
Directed by AGC alumnus Alfred Jackson, this high-energy production features 60 of Los Angeles’ most promising young artists, ages 10-18, who will illuminate Nate Holden Performing Arts Center for two spectacular performances.
Chronicling the dreams and struggles of students at New York’s High School of Performing Arts, the original 1980 film “FAME” quickly became a cultural phenomenon, spawning a hit television series in the 1980s and a global stage musical that debuted in 1988. Now, AGC reclaims the classic with fresh energy and a bold, new vision.
“AGC produced ‘FAME’ back in 2000, and here we are, 25 years later, revisiting it through a new lens,” said Wendy Raquel Robinson, co-founder and artistic director of Amazing Grace Conservatory.
“Alfred Jackson, one of our alumni starred in that original production, it had a huge impact on his life and career, so much so, that he brought the idea to me with a vision to direct, and the full circle moment of it all made so much sense, so I said, ‘if not now, then when and if not us, then who? Let’s do it!’”
Blending mixed media with live storytelling, the reimagined production opens with a cinematic prologue video montage.
“You’ll see the prospective students auditioning to get into PA an then we cut to an epilogue at the end of the show 15 years later in their lives. You get to see where they’ve gone and how they’ve lived out their dreams,” Robinson explained.
“We go backwards to go forwards, to stay present. We’re going to take the audience on a ride.”
Founded nearly 30 years ago by Robinson and the late Tracy Lamar Coley, Amazing Grace Conservatory began with just 75 students and now serves over 500 annually.
“Your seeds shall exceed you,” Robinson reflected. AGC alumni have done just that: writing speeches for President Biden, leading the acting department at Howard University, and creating groundbreaking work in Hollywood.
“They’ve taken their voices and made extraordinary choices,” she said.
“FAME ‘25” is a full-scale theatrical experience. With live musicians, audience interaction through a custom app, and a passionate cast, the show promises a thrilling atmosphere.
“There’s nothing like live theater,” Robinson said. “Get off the couch and come feel that human connection.”
Yet despite its scale, “FAME ‘25” runs for just one day, due to the rising costs of theatrical production.
“It is so expensive to produce quality theater,” Robinson admitted. “We don’t do children’s theater; we do professional theater with children. And that comes at a cost. But we remain dedicated to keeping our ticket prices affordable for the families and communities we serve.”
The day includes three unique performances: “FAME–US,” a junior production at 1 p.m., featuring AGC’s youngest artists, ages 8-10, in a condensed, age-appropriate version, followed by two mainstage shows at 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
After “FAME ’25,” AGC will kick off its six-week Monday-Friday summer program on June 30-August 9, culminating in a showcase highlighting their acting, singing, dancing and a student-created film project. The fall season begins the first Saturday after Labor Day, with new productions and workshops already in motion.
But for now, Robinson is focused on the power of this moment. “You don’t want to miss FAME 25,” she said. “Come see these kids shine. The energy is real, the talent is undeniable, and it’s a night that will stay with you long after the curtain closes”
Tickets for “FAME ‘25” are available at amazinggraceconservatory.org.
