Broadway Dancers Teach Dance Intensive Workshop this week in Monroe

Leading dance professionals based in New York City will teach a week-long master dance beginning Monday, July 13 at Monroe Dance Academy, 138 Main Street. Registration is ongoing.

The cost is $400 for the week, 9:45 am to 3:45 pm; $30, individual class.

For more information, call 203-268-1200.  

Led by dancers currently performing on Broadway, national tours, and ballet and modern dance companies, the following classes will be offered to students, ages ten and older; intermediate and advanced levels.  “We are always excited to bring professional dancers, actors, and singers to Monroe Dance Academy because it’s important for our students to interact with people who are making a living following their dream,” said Judy Abbatiello, MDA’s founder. “This year we have an exceptionally talented group coming to share their skills, expertise and passion for the arts with our kids.”  

Shannon Durig, an actress who portrayed Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray for a record-breaking number of performances, will lead daily classes in musical theater. Additionally, Durig will teach a master class to cast members of Two Planks Theater Company’s summer youth theater production of Hairspray. (Performances are Thursday, July 23, Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 at 8 pm at Wolfe Park.)  

Eric Otto, currently working with renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp on her 50th anniversary, began dance lessons at the age of seven with the School of American Ballet.He has performed in The Phantom of the Opera. He is an original cast member of Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away where he danced the lead role of Sid. In 2003 he was invited to join the cast of Movin’ Out, where he danced the principal role of James. He has also performed with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and several other notable ballet companies.  Currently performing as an original cast member of Broadway’s award-winning musical An American in Paris, Laura Feig has danced principal roles in ballet classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Cinderella and Coppelia.

In addition, she has had several roles created for her.  Allison Sale, a New York-based performance artist, will teach jazz each day at 1:15 pm. She recently appeared at Jacob’s Pillow with Nicholas Andre Dance, and with Alexis Convento + Artists at many New York venues. Sale recently returned from touring with Seattle-based company, Zoe Juniper.  Lamar Baptiste has performed for MTV Networks Television and with recording artist, Ludacris. He was the assistant