> "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Shamsuddin" (Family)
New Jersey's performing arts community is in deep mourning after learning of the sudden passing of a young Newark legend of dramatic arts and spoken-word poetry excellence.
The family of Shamsuddin "Sham" Abdul-Hamid, the 2010 Star-Ledger Scholarship Recipient, Arts High School Graduate, and, 2014 Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts graduate, has formally announced his passing.
"It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, Shamsuddin, 25, of Newark has passed away, " a spokesperson for the family said.
According to a statement released to RLS Metro Breaking News, the spokesperson stated that the family was informed of Shamsuddin's death from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office sometime during the day on Friday. Shamsuddin was found dead at an unspecified location in Jersey City the family said.
According to a spokesperson for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, Abdul-Hamid's death was not suspicious and referred questions to the Jersey City Police Department.
The cause and manner of Abdul-Hamid's death is pending review from the State Regional Medical Examiner's Office.
In a statement released by Newark Arts High School Principal Mr. Ricardo Pedro, Shamsuddin was a shining example of sheer performing arts talent and a well-liked and respected young man from the day he entered the school until his graduation day.
"Our Arts High School family is deeply saddened by "Sham's" passing as our school community continue to struggle to accept the reality of his various journeys of excellence that he has demonstrated has come to an end. This is a tough loss for our school, and the city of Newark" Principal Pedro said.
Shamsuddin Abdul-Hamid was born and raised in Newark where he graduated Arts High School in 2010.
According to published reports, Sham is the New Jersey Poetry Out Loud Champion and recipient of the Star-Ledger Scholarship for the Performing Arts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHbQOZg3qf4
Shamsuddin attended Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts and completed the Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe in London where he performed in Two Gentlemen of Verona Rutger's published reports said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03VZK8pi2qA
His favorite Mason Gross Theater credits include: Alonedom, Tuck-It-Away and Other Stories, Blue Room, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Cyrano de Bergerac and You Can’t Take It With You. Abdul-Hamid was awarded for his spoken-word work at various Rutgers talent competitions including Step Into the Spotlight Rutgers published reports said.
He received the Best Actor award at Rutgers Movie Fest for his work in a student film.
Over at Arts High School where Sham received extensive training as a drama/theater major, his former teacher and mentor Ms. Lenora Brazelle-Rafua remembered Sham as one of the country's up and coming performing arts stars.
Ms. Brazelle-Rafua released this statement to RLS Metro Breaking News:
"Sham and I met when he was brought to Symphony Hall to participate in a summer program that I was doing for the African Globe Theatre. The program was actually for high school students, but Sham was in elementary school.
It took a couple of days for his grandmother and my cast to convince me, but I eventually accepted him into the program. The first production we did together was "MacBeth In The Hood", an original hip-hop musical that I wrote and composed, based on Shakespeare's Scottish play.
Sham had three minor roles on the play where he performed great. We worked off and on until he enrolled at Arts High.
I have met very few people in my long career who loved to perform and who adored the theater. Most importantly, he was willing to do the work. Sham was a gifted performer.
I enjoyed the challenge of working with him and for him. Since graduating from Mason Gross, he has been working at his craft and enjoying it. Sham is missed" Brazelle-Rafua said.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for **Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Arts High School** located at 550 Martin Luther King Boulevard.