From 'Orange is the New Black' to Poughkeepsie: Actress takes charge of youth arts program

Amanda Stephen is looking to create a career pipeline for Poughkeepsie youth in the arts with her ties to the film, television and entertainment industry.

The actress has played roles both on the screen and in theater — most notably she was a regular on the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black," playing an inmate named Alison Abdullah for 23 episodes.

But, she said she has always had a passion for empowering the next generation to get involved in the industry has always been at the forefront. Her focus now is on philanthropy and helping her community, which is what brought her to Poughkeepsie and her current role as director of The Poughkeepsie Performing Arts Academy.

"My philosophy in life is that I always strive to be part of something larger than myself, even with my personal ambitions," Stephen said. "I always was connected to a non-profit, a cause, or any philanthropic cause, because that's part of being a good human. I've done that for years, but it was always in (New York City)."

Stephen, a native of Quebec, moved to Pawling five years ago to raise her family outside of the hustle and bustle of New York City. After the pandemic hit, she began looking for more opportunities to get involved in the Hudson Valley community.

When she saw the job posting as director for the Poughkeepsie program, Stephen thought it would be the perfect place to get more involved in the area.

Finding a voice: How the Poughkeepsie Performing Arts Academy is helping city youth

Trapped in a cycle: In Poughkeepsie, spike in gang violence arouses longtime anguish, fear

In the trenches: How L'Quette Taylor, Community Matters 2, are cleaning up Poughkeepsie

The Poughkeepsie Performing Arts Academy, a program brought to the city by the Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh, is focused on creating opportunities surrounding academics, athletics and, most recently, the arts, for young people in the city and surrounding areas.

"I started looking for organizations where I could pour my knowledge and experience in, and be part of something bigger than myself," she said. "This opportunity came along and I met with Kevin White the Executive Director" of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newburgh and Poughkeepsie.

White said upon meeting with Stephen, he knew she would be perfect to push and expand the program going forward.

"She has an outstanding background with nonprofits and also she's an actor, as well, so she has extensive experience in both film and theater and with working in non-profit," he said. " It was our hope that Amanda could grow the program both in terms of enrollment and the content of the program."

Moving forward, Stephen said she is looking to offer additional classes in music and other areas of expression. She said her experience opening up a theater program at M.E.T.S. Charter School in Jersey City years ago gave her the skills and knowledge on how to work with students that may be experiencing trauma or issues at home.

"I've worked with young kids from all different backgrounds and all different economic status and every one of them wants to feel taken care of, and that's my goal," she said. "I want (the academy) to be a second home. I want them to know that they can come here and just pursue what they are excited about and focus on that."

Katelyn Cordero is the education reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal: kcordero@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @KatelynCordero.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Amanda Stephen of 'Orange is the New Black' leads Poughkeepsie group