Since his graduation from PCTVS in 2018, Malcolm Young has been very busy. The Clifton native, who was a member of the PCTI School of Performing Arts, has danced his way into some amazing opportunities. In 2021, he graduated from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. He also worked as the Chief Philanthropy Officer Intern at American Ballet Theatre, was a Dancer for Dance Lab NYC Female Choreographers of Color in Ballet, Rehearsal Director for Padierna Dance Project, and a member of the NYU Second Avenue Dance Company. But perhaps his biggest accomplishment to date is being named a cast member of the Broadway smash hit Disney’s The Lion King.
On the last day of August 2021, Malcolm’s agent sent him to an invite-only audition for The Lion King National Tour on the Minskoff Theater stage where they perform the show on Broadway. The audition consisted of forty men vying for a limited number of positions and involved an intense all day seven-round process including dance combinations, partnering lifts, specialty roles, and singing. Exactly one-week later Malcolm received a call from his agent. “My agent let me know that not only was I one of just three men to receive an offer from The Lion King, but that my contract would not be for the national tour, but rather to join the Broadway company on the very Minskoff Theater stage where I had auditioned. The only word I could think of to summarize my journey this far: blessed.”
That journey began at Dance World Academy in Passaic Park when Malcolm was just eight years old. A year later he joined that studio’s competition company and began his travels across the country competing and performing in various competitions and conventions, and eventually landing a spot in Disney World’s televised Christmas Spectacular. At the age of ten however, his perception of his future would change forever. “That year my parents took me to see Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. After that incredibly spiritual experience of witnessing dancers/singers/actors bringing what was already one of my favorite films to life in such a grand and brilliant way, I decided that was what I would pursue dance as my career.” When it was time for him to enroll in high school, Malcolm had already chosen what he called the “obvious path.” “PCTI was the only acceptable option for me, having seen and heard about how exceptional the School of Performing Arts program was from my close friend and class of 2015 PCTVS graduate Damani Van Rensalier, who is currently on tour with the incomparable Broadway show Hamilton.”
At PCTVS, Malcolm was able to hone his gift studying modern dance, West African, hip hop, dance history, and dance business. “Most of my fondest memories of PCTI were the times I spent on the stage and in the studios, doing what I love with my friends and peers. I’ll forever be grateful for all of my PCTI instructors, every dancer in the dance shop past and present, and every other faculty member who supported and encouraged me daily. No one gets to where they are by themselves. I pray that I get to extend the same grace that they have shown me.”
PCTVS would like to congratulate Malcolm on this momentous achievement! We can’t wait to follow all your current and future successes!
