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 was the west coast drum coach for Blue Man Group. 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.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes 1995 Broken Silence Ashaela 2002Pulse: A Stomp OdysseyDocumentary 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"200018 Wheels of JusticeOliviaEpisode: "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 MediumNurse #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 film2017VeepFemale ButlerEpisode: "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 2014 Facing Our Truth: The Trayvon Martin Plays 2014 Raditatical
References
External links TV web Bunkermedia About the artists