Alumni Spotlight: Tituss Burgess (AB ’01)

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Titus BurgessAthens native and UGA alumnus Tituss Burgess (AB ’01) has found his way to the Netflix stage.

As a student at Athens’ Cedar Shoals High School, Burgess aggresively pursued his passion for theater. After graduating from UGA with a Bachelor of Arts in music, Burgess headed to New York City where Broadway welcomed him with open arms. He made his Broadway debut in the musical Good Vibrations as Eddie in 2005, and appeared in Jersey Boys in 2005 as Hal Miller. He originated the role of “Sebastian the Crab” in the musical The Little Mermaid in 2007 and went on to play Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the revival of Guys and Dolls in 2009.

Burgess soon found his niche in television acting, as well. Since 2009, he has guest starred in several TV series, including The Battery’s Down, A Gifted Man, Blue Bloods, 30 Rock and Royal Pains. 

While these minor roles made a major impact on Burgess’ career, Netflix has the potential to now launch him into super stardom. Over the last several years, Netflix has caught the attention of millennials and serial TV watchers with its popular web-released TV series, such as Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. Netflix’s success is sure to continue with Burgess’ newest project, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, starring The Office’s Ellie Kemper.

The series is the work of comedienne and writer Tina Fey. Tituss Burgess will play Titus, Kimmy’s roommate, a talented singer who works as a robot in Times Square.

Scene from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is coming to Netflix next month. Watch the trailer now.

The UGA Alumni Association looks forward to seeing this talented alumnus on television screens this spring.