Fireside Chat – Designing a Life in the Arts: Decisions, Detours and Discovery
Join us to hear from an accomplished alumni panel on their work in the arts - Malachi dré Beasley ‘19, Amie Ma ‘13, '15, Raymond Lee '08, and Noah Haytin '03, about their path from graduation to today with emphasis on the pivotal decisions, challenges, and learning moments along the way. Hosted by CSULB Alumni and the College of the Arts. Get inspired, ask questions and come together for an evening of networking with students and alumni. After the panel, participate in networking bingo with COTA alumni and attendees for a chance to win a CSULB gift.
Moderated by Griselda Suarez, City of Long Beach Cultural Affairs Officer
Friday, March 20, 2026
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center
Featured Speakers:
Malachi dré Beasley '19
BA Theater Arts
Actor, writer, musician, and veteran
Malachi dré Beasley is a dynamic actor, writer, and musician whose work is defined by a deep commitment to narrative precision and physical grit. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama (MFA) and CSU Long Beach (BA), he has built a robust foundation in both classical and contemporary performance. His transition from the Army National Guard, where he served for six years as a Military Police Officer and deployed to GTMO, brings a unique level of discipline and authenticity to his roles. Malachi’s recent film work includes a lead role opposite Jamie Foxx in the upcoming biopic Fight for ’84 and a supporting turn as SCPO Davis in the film A House of Dynamite.
His selected theater credits include Yale Repertory; A Raisin in the Sun (Bobo u/s), Chautauqua; Blood at the Root (Justin), David Geffen School of Drama; Julius Caesar (Brutus) and The Cherry Orchard (Yepikhodov), and California Repertory; Antigone X (Haemon). On screen, he has also starred in Yale Short Film; Roadside Assistance (Lead) and NYU Short Film; B-Box (Lead).
Malachi dré Beasley received his BA in Theater Arts where he has gone on to be a dynamic actor, writer, and musician whose work is defined by a deep commitment to narrative precision and physical grit. His transition from the Army National Guard, where he served for six years as a Military Police Officer and deployed to GTMO, brings a unique level of discipline and authenticity to his roles. Malachi’s recent film work includes a lead role opposite Jamie Foxx in the upcoming biopic Fight for ’84 and a supporting turn as SCPO Davis in the film A House of Dynamite.
Noah Haytin '03
MFA Art Illustration
Visual Artist, Art Educator
Noah Haytin is a California-based visual artist, creative consultant, photographer and art educator whose creative career spans more than three decades. Born and raised in the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area, Haytin first gained recognition in the early 1990's within the burgeoning Bay Area hip-hop scene, creating distinctive drawings, logos and graphic designs for influential record labels & pioneers of the genre.
His work bridges historical and cultural visual vocabularies, blending photography, hand-drawn imagery, and graphic design. Over the years, he has exhibited and taught art locally and internationally, having carried out a Fulbright grant in Morocco & teaching art in various educational institutions throughout the Los Angeles area.
In addition to his studio practice, Haytin is a self described “family man”; a fitness enthusiast & dedicated art educator who loves traveling, teaching across various contexts and sharing his passion for art and mentorship.
Noah received his MFA in Art Illustration in ‘03. Awarded as one of our 2024 49 under 49 winners, Noah has exhibited and taught art locally and internationally, having carried out a Fulbright grant in Morocco & teaching art in various educational institutions throughout the Los Angeles area.
Raymond Lee '08
BA Theater Arts
Actor
Raymond Lee recently wrapped on the second season of SUGAR for Apple TV+ in which he stars alongside Colin Farrell and the Apple TV+ series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed opposite Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson. Raymond most recently starred in the lead role of Dr. Ben Song in NBC’s QUANTUM LEAP reboot. He also appeared in the independent feature THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY alongside Lily Gladstone, and in the Paramount Pictures blockbuster TOP GUN: MAVERICK opposite Tom Cruise. His television career includes series regular roles in AMC’s KEVIN CAN F*** HIMSELF and Alan Ball’s HBO series HERE AND NOW. Additionally, he delivered memorable recurring performances in HBOMax's MADE FOR LOVE, FOX’s PRODIGAL SON, Amazon’s MOZART IN THE JUNGLE and ABC’s SCANDAL.
Amie Ma '13, '15
BM Instrumental Music, Credential
Music Teacher for Alhambra Unified School District
Amie Ma is an instrumental music educator in Southern California. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and Music Education and her teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She also earned a Master of Music (MM) in Clarinet Performance from Azusa Pacific University.
Before student teaching, she taught in the Anaheim City School District through the ACSD Orchestra Project. At the time, the district did not have music programs in its schools, so the project brought weekly music instruction to students throughout the community. After completing student teaching, she was hired as a long-term middle school music substitute in LBUSD. She was later selected for a full-time position at a K–8 school in the same district, where she dedicated 10 years to spreading the joy of music to her students.
Recently, she joined the Alhambra Unified School District, returning to the district where she grew up—bringing her journey full circle as she gives back to the community that first inspired her love of music.
