SETUP
Amanda Mammana is a 19-year-old singer songwriter from Trumball, CT. She appeared on the July 19th episode of America’s Got Talent (AGT) and sang an original song. Her performance captivated the audience and the AGT judges. Amanda was chosen to continue in the competition.
Besides being an amazing singer songwriter, Amanda stutters. Before she performed on the AGT stage, Amanda stuttered when telling the audience and the judges her name. The entire auditorium was silent as Amanda paused, blocked, and looked away as she spoke on stage. She shared, “As you can probably tell, I have a bit of a speech impediment. It was definitely something that caused me to shy away and hide but I found that I don’t stutter when I sing.”
How the audience reacts to Amanda’s talent is noteworthy. How AGT tells Amanda’s story on-screen is noteworthy. And how Amanda reacts to the reception she received is also noteworthy.
ACTIVITIES
Watch the following performance of Amanda Mammana on AGT.
We discussed the following questions after watching the video:
1. How does the audience react to Amanda’s stuttering?
2. Why do jaws drop and eyes sparkle with amazement hearing Amanda sing?
3. Is it truly “incredible” that Amanda sings so beautifully, and her lyrics are so heartfelt?
4. Discuss the emotions Amanda expresses with her body language when hearing the applause of the audience.
5. How can you relate to this statement Amanda shared? “There were times when I was a kid that I could never do anything like this. I’m not good enough.”
Listen to the following studio recording of BACK TO LIFE, the song Amanda sang on AGT.
Follow along by reading the reading the song lyrics shared below the video.
We discussed the following questions after watching the video:
1. What lyrics speak to you personally and how?
2. We read this lyric aloud and discussed it: “I still remember that kid wanting to be more. But now she knows that she’s worth more than what she’s been told.”
We also listened to another original song from Amanda Mammana, PROVE YOU WRONG.
Follow along by reading the reading the song lyrics shared below the video.
We discussed the following questions after watching the video:
1. What lyrics speak to you personally and how?
2. We read this lyric aloud and discussed it: “I still remember that kid wanting to be more. But now she knows that she’s worth more than what she’s been told.”