School of Dance & Voice September, 2015

Miller Marley Alum, Jeff Sears spent the summer performing as

Prince Eric in Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s million-dollar

production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Hometown Broadway Star Returns Home to Miller Marley An Interview with a Miller Marley alumn and Broadway star, Renee (Klapmeyer) Mandacina.

Describe your experience while studying at Miller Marley? Renee: Miller Marley was such a wonderful experience for me, one I hold near and dear to my heart! Miller Marley was my home away from home. I spent most of my nights and weekends dancing at the studio or out in the community performing with the Entertainers! When I was sad, or just going through the growing pains of being an adolescent, I knew I could go to the studio, put on my dance shoes and dance! Shirley, Brian, and Ann were so encouraging, believed in me but also pushed me outside of my comfort zone! Miller Marley helped me to begin to develop my strong work ethic that was highly praised by directors I worked with in New York.

What lessons did you learn through studying at Miller Marley that helped you in the Broadway world? Renee: Hard work and determination. Talent will only get you so far. Having the determination, drive and self discipline will take you to the next level. Never give up! There will always be setbacks, you may not get that dance solo you wanted, but there is no success without failure.

Tell me about your Broadway Life! Renee: I graduated college from The Hartt School in CT in 1999 and moved to NYC. I spent about a year doing Regional Theater and a show in Atlantic City. My first Broadway show was 42nd Street. We opened in May of 2001. I was in the ensemble. At the time we were the biggest show on Broadway. We had around 50 people in the show. I was selected by the director of the show to have my picture posted in the NY times, on phone booths and on the side of NYC buses. I remember walking down the street in Times Square and seeing a bus roll by with my picture on the side of it, saying “Come and meet Renee Klapmeyer one of the stars of the chorus”. It was absolutely thrilling. I performed at the Tony’s, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Rosie O’Donell show to name a few. I went on to perform in The Producers regional tour. I was in the ensemble and understudied the role of Ulla. When I was selected to take over the role of Ulla on tour for three months it was the dream of a lifetime. I toured with The Producers for about a year and decided it was time to give my notice and head back to NYC. I gave my notice and three hours later the producers of The Producers offered me the Broadway show. I was back “home” in NYC. I went on as Ulla over 100 times on Broadway. It truly was the best theater experience to date. I was also asked to be in The Producers movie as well as sing on the movie soundtrack with Nathan Lane, Mathew Broderick and Uma Thurman. After being in The Producers for a couple of years, I decided it was time to spread my wings. I went on to play the lead role in a show called Evil Dead. During this time I was asked to sing alongside Kristin Chenoweth in a show called Stairway to Paradise. I left Evil Dead to do this show. My last Broadway show was Young Frankenstein. Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman asked me to be in the show without even auditioning.

What brought you back to Kansas City and made you decide to enroll your daughter in Miller Marley dance classes? Renee: After leaving Young Frankenstein, I took a few months off to decide what my next career move would be. Nursing was always something I had thought about doing, so I started doing some research about the profession of nursing. It was so funny because the minute I started thinking about nursing I kept meeting nurses everywhere I went. They all said how much they loved their job! I decided to move back home to go to nursing school because it would be cheaper than nursing school in NYC, with the thought of returning to New York after graduation. I still needed a few credits, so I signed up at JCCC. When the 19 and 20 year olds started asking me out on dates I decided I would sign up for EHarmony, and try to find someone my own age. Well, I met my husband on eharmony! He was one of the first guys to reach out to me. We emailed through eharmony all summer and had our first date at Garozzo's in August. He brought me a single red rose (which totally sealed the deal) and the rest is history! Miller Marley helped shape the person I am today and the performer I was for many years. I want my daughter(s) to have a similar experience and I cannot imagine sending them anywhere else but Miller Marley!!

What is your advice for Miller Marley students that are interested in pursuing a career in dance/musical theatre? Renee: 1. Go to college and graduate!!! When I left Kansas at 18, I knew for a fact I would be on Broadway! Well, cut to 20 years later and it has all changed and I am thankful that I had a degree, even if it was a BFA in music theater, I didn't have to start from scratch to get another degree! You never know where life will lead you! 2. Also, you have probably heard it before, but don't burn bridges! It is crazy, but the actual working Broadway community is quite small! Once you are in that "community" it is all word of mouth and how much people like working and creating with you! I would not have gotten to do all the shows I was able to do without the strong connections I made between other working actors, directors, producers etc. 3. Don't stop taking classes. Dance, voice and acting! It is the greatest way you can continue to grow as a person and performer!

MILLER MARLEY

Miller Marley Competition Teams will attend their first

competition of the season on November 4th - 6th at NYCDA!

Photography by Vivian Nazzaro

Rehearsals have began for

Miller Marley’s Performing

Troupes: TiniTainers, MiniTainers,

Show Biz Performers and the

Entertainers are gearing up for

their fall season of shows.

Each troupe is carefully selected

as students receive invitations

into these hard-working

performing troupes.

Miller Marley Competition Team

Auditions for guest performers in

Miller Marley’s winter ballet,

Clara’s Dream, will be

Miller Marley Entertainers

Be sure to catch the

Show Biz Performers,

TiniTainers, MiniTainers, and

Entertainers in their Halloween

performance at Deanna Rose

Farmstead on

October 24th at 1pm.

Summer Happenings

MILLER MARLEY’S

Miller Marley Students, Megan Walstrom,

Caleb Nugent, and Mandy Dulny performed

this summer in Kansas City Starlight’s

production of Mary Poppins!

MM Alum, LAURA KAUFMAN shares the joy of dance!

“While in New York recovering from an injury, Laura has been

giving a weekly "refresher lesson" to this 76-year-old former

Juilliard/professional dancer. Michal struggles, and curses,

and never stops trying. Watching these two dance artists,

generations apart, working together and learning from each

other was nothing short of magical “

- Susie Kaufman (Laura’s Mom)

Shirley Marley (owner), Brian McGinness (studio director), and Nancy Durig (office manager) attended DanceLife Teacher’s

Conference in Scottsdale,

Arizona! This has become a

bi-annual trip for this team as

they continue to

improve Miller Marley

with the latest and greatest

business advice.

“It went Swimmingly!”

- Jan Lord

Miller Marley’s first musical theatre

camp, directed by Jan Lord performed

Go Fish this summer!

Miller Marley hosted its annual summer intensive in August. About 80 classes

were offered during this two-week summer intensive by professional dancers, choreographers, and performers (most of which are alumni of Miller Marley) that

come back to Miller Marley to share their talents with students.

Megan Kimball, one of the summer intensive ballet instructors, loves returning to Miller Marley because of the warm welcome from the Miller Marley family.

She adds,” It is hard to find that kind of support and camaraderie. I also admire and enjoy the students’ open mindedness and willingness to experience different

concepts.” As students are beginning their fall classes she has high hopes that they will remember the lessons they learned at the intensive and carry them into

their classes. “I hope they continue to analyze their dancing; how are they moving

and why—and therefore, work as intelligent dancers.”

10448 Mastin Overland Park, KS 66212 www.millermarley.com & www.millermarley.org 913-492-0004

Upcoming Events at

Miller Marley Fall Classes begin– Tuition Due! September 8

Clara’s Dream Guest Performers Auditions September 26

Clara’s Dream cast posted on

www.millermarley.com

October 1

Clara’s Dream:

Party Scene Rehearsals begin

Angels & Gingerbread rehearsals begin

October 5th

October 10th

Deanna Rose Farmstead Halloween Performance at 1pm– starring the TiniTainers, MiniTainers, Show Biz Performers, and Entertainers

October 24

Halloween– There will be classes and

rehearsals held this day!

October 31

NYCDA Convention & Competition November 6 –

November 8

WATCH WEEK #1: All Classes Levels 4 & Up November 9 -

November 15

WATCH WEEK #2: All Classes Levels 3 &

Under

November 16 -

November 21

Thanksgiving Break: NO CLASSES November 23 -

November 29

Amy Alderman will be teaching Kindergarten Combo & Com-

bo on Saturday mornings!

Amy began taking dance at Miller Marley in 1993 and performed with the

Miller Marley Entertainers until she graduated High School!

She has performed professionally at Walt Disney

World, Sea World, Universal Studios and has done

some work in New York!

She currently works at Aubry Bend Middle School

and choreographs for local schools in the area!

This past April Amy married Curt Alderman,

her "showmance" of six years!

Meet our Newest Instructors!

Celia Thompson will be teaching Miller Marley’s brand new

“Dance for Tiny –Two year olds” class!

Celia, too, is a proud Miller Marley alum.

Performing as an Entertainer inspired her to pursue a

Musical Theatre degree from Missouri State University.

She worked in Branson as a singer/dancer in productions such as

Lost in the 50’s, Celebrate America, and

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.

She left for NYC and earned her membership in the

Actors Equity Association and performed all over the

country in musical theatre productions.

Celia married, David Thompson, also a MM alum,

and together are active in community theaters in KC!

They now have a tiny dancer of their own,

a daughter named Tenley.

Angel Reda: performed the National Anthem at the New York Yankees game .

Ryan Worsing: Currently performing in Finding Neverland on Broadway.

Hayley Podschun: Currenly working on a brand new show, In Your Arms as the

leading role.

Kaitlyn Davidson: toured with Cinderella – performed at KC’s Starlight this summer!

Lisa Karlin– toured this summer with Pippin – also performed at KC’s

Starlight Theater this summer!