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Onward and Upward

AUDIO PODCASTS: Celebrating new beginnings at Commencement 2010

Tony Award-winning director John Rando and award-winning writer/producer/director Felicia D. Henderson were honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards at the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television’s 2010 Commencement Ceremony on June 11.

Producer, executive and entrepreneur Peter Guber delivered the Commencement Address, with the School’s dean, Teri Schwartz, presiding over the festivities.

Dean Schwartz welcomes the Commencement audience

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Dean Schwartz shares her new vision for the TFT alumni network

John Rando, MFA '88, is a powerful force for change in American theater, known for bringing new sounds and new attitudes to Broadway. He won a Tony in 2002 for directing “Urinetown, the Musical” and an Outer Critic's Circle Award for “The Toxic Avenger Musical.”

Dean Schwartz presents the Alumni Achievement Award to John Rando

Honoree John Rando’s acceptance speech

Felicia D. Henderson, MFA '04, is the award-winning creator of the landmark Showtime hit "Soul Food: The Series," the longest-running drama featuring African-Americans in the history of television. Henderson's writing and producing credits in television also include "Fringe," "Gossip Girl," "Everyone Hates Chris." She often notes that she is most proud of the two TFT scholarships she has established: the Felicia D. Henderson Screenwriting Scholarship and the Four Sisters Scholarship.

Dean Schwartz presents the Alumni Achievement Award to Felicia Henderson

Honoree Felicia Henderson’s acceptance speech aaaaaaaa