RESISTING REJECTION: A Journey to Broadway at NSU Theatre Company

Brandon A. McCall, a native of Birmingham, Alabama and a proud graduate of P.D. Jackson-Olin High School, is an actor and vocalist. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Alabama State University. Brandon is also a distinguished gentleman of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Brandon started acting at the age of twelve. It was actually his mother's way of exposing him to something new and of course keeping him out of any pre-teen mischief during the school's summer break. Brandon began to perform with a youth theatre troupe, JCCEO YES Ambassadors, whose shows focused on youth related topics and situations. From the age of twelve to the age of eighteen, Brandon continued to perform with his theatre troupe where acting grew from just being a distraction from pre-teen mischief to now becoming a passion. It wasn't until Brandon's senior year in high school where acting became even bigger. During his senior year, Brandon's ninth grade history teacher stopped him in the hall and asked, "Mr. McCall, what are you studying in college again?" Brandon replied, "I'm majoring in Biology. I want to be a pediatrician." His teacher, with some relief, responded, "Oh good, because I didn't think that acting thing was going to work out for you." Brandon smiled, said thank you and took off to change his major to Theatre. That was the day that acting graduated from passion and became a career choice. ​Brandon made his professional debut at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California during his actor intensive. Following, he joined the Actors' Equity Association union and brought his talents back to his hometown performing with Red Mountain Theatre. Credits include Sister Act as Sweaty Eddie, Dreamgirls as C.C. White, Disney's The Little Mermaid as Sebastian, Smokey Joe's Café as Adrian Bailey and in Schoolhouse Rock with Birmingham Children's Theatre just to name a few.​ Brandon is currently performing in Disney's The Lion King on Broadway as Simba. He hopes to one day share his talents on TV and Film. Brandon gives all credit to God, above all else, for all of the wonderful blessings and opportunities that have been afforded to him. He is married to his college sweetheart, Denika Whitt-McCall. They have two beautiful daughters, Bréa and Briley. Brandon is blessed to have their love and support. Brandon is especially grateful for his wonderful mom, Josephine, and his lovely sister, Lindi—their love, wisdom, and encouragement throughout his entire life have been unparallel. He credits them with nurturing his dreams from the start! Brandon is particularly grateful for his family, friends, and supporters!

He is an award-winning actor who has appeared in television and film, as well as off-Broadway and regional theatre. Anthony proudly serves as the founding director of two of America’s most nationally recognized collegiate theatre programs, the NSU Drama & Theatre Program and the NSU Theatre Company. Since his arrival to NSU, drama and theatre has gained historic national recognition and acclaim and record-breaking audience attendance. Recent honors received were the 2020 Sustained Excellence in Teaching in Acting from URTA; being named One of 25 Game Changers in American Theatre by Black Masks; national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Distinguished Production & Performance Ensemble and Distinguished Performance by an Actor in a Play for the production The Brother’s Size. The production beat out more than 1,300 productions that were entered in the festival and involved more than 200,000 students nationwide. The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival has also honored him with multiple Meritorious Achievement Awards for Excellence in Directing for his productions of Topdog/Underdog, The Brothers Size, Black Nativity, Broke-ology, A Soldier’s Play, and The Color Purple. He holds an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University and a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University. www.nsu.edu/drama --- www.anthonystockard.com