Miller-Marley School of Dance & Voice - Wycliff West Shopping Center - 10448 Mastin - Overland Park, KS 66212 Phone: 913-492-0004 Fax: 913-894-2575 E-mail: millermarleydance@millermarley.com Website: www.millermarley.com

October / November 2009

Thursday, October 15 - Tuesday, December 15

Costume Fees Due

Tuesday, November 24 - Sunday, November 29 Thanksgiving Break - No Classes will be held

Tuesday, December 1 Winter Quarter Classes begin

Tuition is Due in Full

Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6 Miller-Marley Holiday Celebration Performance

Clara’s Dream Blue Valley North High School

2:00 pm & 7:00 shows each day

Sunday, December 20 - Sunday, January 3 Winter Break - No classes will be held

Monday, January 4 Winter Quarter Classes resume

Watch Week #1 Monday, October 26 - Saturday, October 31

Chrissy Kerkvliet, Brian McGinness, Annie Paglusch, Tara Wells

Watch Week #2 Sunday, November 1 - Saturday, November 7

Matthew Donnell, Shirley Marley, Ann McCroskey, Beth Johnston

Watch Week #3 Monday, November 9 - Saturday, November 14

Laura Branson, Hilary Brown, Jill Hochman, Casey Rivarola

Saturday, May 29 at 6:00 pm Sunday, May 30 at 4:00 pm

Yardley Hall - Johnson County Community College

Pictured above Maia Carrico and Chloe Tyrrell

Featuring students in Preschool through Level Two - 3rd thru 5th Grade

No. I’m the star! I’m the

star!

Our dear friend and teacher, Sharon Ingebritson, passed away last year on October 30. Your generous donations to the Sharon Ingebritson Miller-Marley Scholarship Fund have enabled many students to receive a dance education at our school. In honor of Sharon, Julie Ireland and her daughter, Aubrey, have been compiling a memory scrapbook for the Ingebritson family. They would be very grateful for any photos, quotes or drawings that you could contribute and these may be dropped off at the studio.

“Each dance teacher brings to the classroom an individual legacy passed along as a gift to her students. Miss Sharon’s special gifts shaped the fundamental years of dance education for hundreds of students and later, those students’ children. She began this process with her own style of patience, discipline and encouragement. From the first recital costume and the introduction to an expressive art form, the life-long joy of dance begins.” — Brian McGinness

Please make all donations payable to Sharon Ingebritson Miller-Marley Scholarship Fund

Miller-Marley Newsletter Page 2 October / November 2009

MILLER-MARLEY 2009

Olivia Austin Nicole McCroskey Molly Bartlett Lauren McGrew Brittan Bates Sarah McMullen Lauren Biggs Sarah Mikelait Noelle Bradley Mallory Newcomb Elizabeth Brooks Mallory Newhouse Madeline Browne Peri Ogg Kayla Clair Mikaela O’Neill Kyra Clair Sydney Poteet Ashley Coffin Rebecca Reilly Cholie Costello Brittany Rouse Nelson Costello Macie Rouse Elizabeth Cox Kate Rumsey Gillian Cutter Lexi Schrobilgen Krisa Farrington Haley Schwermann Anne Fernandez Jessica Siplon Lizzy Fleet Kalli Slater Joseph Flickner Krista Spindler Gabbie Fried Katherine Viviano Rachel Full Kennady Wallace Abby Harrison Emily Walton Rachel Hoffmann Morgan Weiler Emily Holland Jenna Wetzel Carlie Hollmann Natalie Wood Alexis Jalbert Hannah Yeoman Patricia Lu Abbie Young Brandon Luthi

Miller-Marley Students to Perform at Disney World Put on your Mickey Mouse ears and listen up. It’s off to Disney World Orlando for a group of select Miller-Marley dancers who will perform two shows at Downtown Disney over the Thanksgiv-ing holiday on Saturday, November 28. Under the direction of Ann McCroskey, the 53-member troupe will present an upbeat Broadway style revue titled, Dance the Mouse House. Rehearsals began this summer for the high energy show with production numbers that include: Footloose, Kansas City, Uptown Girl, I’m Yours, Cen-terfield, Burning Love, River Deep and Hand Jive. Everyone is invited to attend the Disney Sneak Preview that will be held at Blue Valley North High School on Sunday, November 15. There will be two shows at 3 and 7 pm. The program will begin with performances by the Entertainers, MiniTainers, TiniTainers and Show Biz Kids. Follow-ing intermission, the Disney kids will delight audiences with nonstop entertainment. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available in the studio office beginning October 19. Patrons can also look forward to a huge Bake Sale. Miller-Marley T-Shirts are currently on sale as a fundraiser for the troupe. The shirts, available in a variety of colors, are on display at the studio and can be ordered in the office through November 12. Proceeds from Dance the Mouse House will benefit the Disney troupe to offset costume and production expenses. Many thanks to Ann and Richard McCroskey and the entire Disney crew for a fantastic job.

And speaking of Disney World... When Miller-Marley alum, Joel Morrison, started taking dancing lessons at age three with Ms. Sharon, he spent a lot of spare time in front of the TV watching his favorite cartoon characters. Now, the 22-year-old is playing them at Disney World Orlando. In November of 2007, Joel auditioned with Disney for an entertainment position through the Disney Col-lege Program. Upon completion of the program, he moved to Orlando and is now a part time resident of the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Last spring he began performing at Hollywood Studios where he was a dancing cowboy in Woody’s Roundup and over the summer he played the Beast. Currently, Joel is a member of the dance ensemble in Block Party, a show featuring the characters from Pixar’s animated movies.

Joel Morrison as Toy Story’s Woody.

Grease Pleasant Ridge Middle School Oct. 15-16 Lauren Mylin (lead role - Sandy), Eliana Stein (Patty Simcox), Lauren Henke (Frenchy) Cheerleaders: Addison Daniel, Maddie Parrish, Courtney Schmitt, Kennady Wallace

The Producers Jewish Community Center Oct. 24-Nov. 8 Amy Arnott (Usherette), Dana Arnott (Ensemble), Nathan Helming (Scott) Choreographed by Ann McCroskey

Guys and Dolls Leawood Middle School Nov. 5-6 Dani Belzer, Lauren Stollman, Anna Arends, Claire Eggleston, Patricia Lu, Lucy Masters, Haley Schwermann, Madeline Wadley

Little House on the Prairie The Coterie Theatre Nov. 3-Dec. 29 Katie Hall (Mary Ingalls)

A Christmas Story The Musical Kansas City Repertory Theatre Nov. 20-Dec. 27 Katherine McNamara (Esther Jane), Dakota Hoar (Schwartz)

Student Notes: Dakota Hoar and Katherine McNamara will play the roles of Schwartz and Esther Jane in the world premiere of A Christmas Story the Musical at Kan-sas City Repertory Theatre. They were the only children from Kansas City who were cast in the production. The show, a remake of the classic holiday film, will make it’s debut at KC Rep on Nov 20. Katie Hall will play the role of Mary Ingalls in the Coterie Theatre production of Little House on the Prairie. The show opens on Nov. 3. Congratulations, kids!

(L to R) Lauren Mylin and Eliana Stein in Grease at Pleasant Ridge Middle School.

Miller-Marley Newsletter Page 3 October / November 2009

In August, Sarah became the first Tween Pop artist to have two songs in first place for four weeks straight. On the incredible support she received from her Tween Pop radio fans, which sent in a whopping 1,642 votes in one week, Sarah responded, “I feel so honored. I want my music to appeal to people of all ages, espe-cially teenagers. When they hear my songs I want them to say, ‘Hey, this is what I’m going through.’ Her new songs, “How Do I Break Free” and “Twisted,” reflect the 14-year-old’s discovery that life is rarely easy or understandable. Sarah considers music to be a very important part of her life and the inspiration for her lyrics usually comes when something “dramatic” has hap-pened to her. “I wrote ‘How Do I Break Free’ to challenge kids to break free from the mold and the chains that hold you down in life and all the people who say you can’t or you’re not good enough. ‘Twisted’ is all about rela-tionships and how it’s so frustrating that you can never understand some people’s little encoded messages.” There is no misunderstanding the mutual admiration and strong bond that exist between Sarah and her mentor and creative director, Jona-than George. Sarah said, “I have no idea where I would be without Jona-than. He has done so much for me vocally, performance wise and in promoting my music.” Jonathan George said, “Sarah McMullen is a little girl from Kansas and she is like Dorothy. She came

out here (to L.A.) and just twisted the world up. She’s a dynamic personality onstage with incredible vocal range, vocal skills and a great songwriter.” So what lies ahead? Currently, Sarah is having a great time being a freshman at Blue Valley North High School where she was recently elected class Treasurer. She continues to attend classes at Miller-Marley and credits her instructors for teaching im-portant life lessons and instilling in her a love of dance. When her schedule permits, Sarah will return to L.A. to record two new songs. In the meantime, there is talk that her recordings of “Twisted” and “How Do I Break Free?” are soon to be played on Radio Disney and iTunes. The “little girl from Kansas” who once dreamed of becoming a pop star is now on her way to a promising career in the music industry. On her recent success Sarah commented, “I never thought I would hear myself being played on the radio. Recording the songs - It’s just been a dream come true and it’s amazing for me to be along for the ride.”

www.myspace.com/sarahmcmullenmusic www.reverbnation.com/sarahmcmullenmusic

Sarah in the recording studio with Anthony Mazza (L) and Jonathan George (R)

infatuated with Hannah’s portrayer, Miley Cyrus, that she began imitating her. This led Sarah to enter the Radio Disney Hannah Montana singing competition in Kansas City, where she earned the title of Regional Grand Prizewinner two years in a row. After winning the title, Sarah walked offstage and stated, “This is what I want to do.” Fast forward to February 2009. The McMullen family

decided that it was “now or never” and Sarah, accompanied

by her mother, set off for Los Angeles to investigate the music industry. While in L.A. Sarah hooked up with Jonathan George, President of JJPZ Talent Development and music producer, Anthony Mazza. Under their creative direction Sarah wrote and recorded two of her original songs, “Twisted” and “How Do I Break Free?” Subsequently, both songs were featured on the Internet radio station, Tween Pop Radio, which showcases the work of both proven and emerg-ing artists. Each week, fans cast their online votes for the pop artists that will rank in the top twenty.

It is often said, “Music defines a generation.” For 14-year-old Sarah McMullen music is not just a creative outlet but also a special force that has allowed her to connect with her coming-of-age generation. Recently, the aspiring recording artist and song-writer found herself with two record-breaking hits on the popular Internet radio station, Tween Pop Radio. And, she is being touted as “a rising star to watch.” In 2006, when Hannah Montana debuted on the Disney Channel, virtu-ally every little girl in the nation was glued to the TV. Especially, 11-year- old Sarah McMullen, who was so

Sarah McMullen strikes a pose during a photo shoot on Hollywood’s Melrose Ave.

M i l l e r M a r l e y Y o u t h B a l l e t P r e s e n t s:

Clara’s Dream

Saturday & Sunday December 5th & 6th

2 pm & 7 pm

Blue Valley North High School

Tickets - $7

This year’s presentation of Clara’s Dream raises the bar for what prom-ises to be another magnificent production. Written and choreographed by Matthew Donnell, with additional choreography and staging by Laura Bran-son, Artistic Director of the MMYB, this lovely and magical adaptation of the Nutcracker will be the perfect prelude to the holiday season. The cast in-cludes the 31 member Miller-Marley Youth Ballet Company along with 98 special guest performers. MMYB costume designer, Elaine Biggs, has once again added her Midas Touch to the new Party Scene collection that will make its debut this year. Clara’s Dream will be presented at Blue Valley North High School on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, with a 2 pm matinee and a 7 pm evening performance each day. Act One will feature our performance com-panies. The ballet will be performed in Act Two, following intermission. General seating is $7 and tickets will be on sale in the studio office beginning November 5. Reserved VIP seating will be available for a donation to the MMYB of $40 per ticket. Holiday baked goods and gifts will be on sale in the theater lobby.

Currently in Finian’s Rainbow u/s Woody,Og, Buzz, Sheriff

Miller-Marley Newsletter Page 4 October / November 2009

Shannon Durig Gets Big Break on TV Show ….and gets a new zip code

Ever since last year, when Shannon Durig ended her successful three-year run as a Broadway star, the all pervasive thought, “Is there after Hairspray?” kept nagging at her. Sure, there were gigs here and there. But, nothing that could match the brilliance of having been the longest running Tracy in Hairspray history. All she needed was the proverbial “lucky break” to get her heart racing and her head back in the game. On October 14, Nancy Durig received a call from Shannon. As Nancy put it, “Shannon was so excited and talking so fast I could barely understand her.” Shannon’s “lucky break” had arrived. She had just been cast in the television series, 90210. Shannon will play the part of Lila, a girl who has “something going” with her boss (a newspaper editor) and moonlights as a member of a band. The current series, now in it’s second season, is a remake of the original show, Beverly Hills 90210, that debuted in the early 1990’s, but with an all new cast. Shannon auditioned at Warner Brothers Studios, in Los Angeles, where the show is filmed. Her character is slated to appear in four episodes that will air this season on the CW Network. This summer Shannon became an aunt and her niece’s name is Lila, the same as Shannon’s character on the show. How ironic it that? Maybe Shannon will consider turning over her first paycheck to her new little “Good Luck Charm.”

Brian Sears

Meggie Cansler

Lisa Karlin

Kaitlin Mesh

Currently in Finian’s Rainbow Meg

Currently in Ragtime Swing

Currently in Westside Story Zaza u/s Anybodys

Ryan Worsing Currently in Shrek the Musical Swing

Larissa Klinger

Hayley Podschun Hayley is currently playing the role of Lola Stover in Parade at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

Rachel Thomas recently had one of those 42nd Street moments. You know the kind. Something happens to the leading lady and the chorus girl, who is chosen to go on in her place, is an instant hit and becomes the star of the show. Rachel was hired as a “fill-in” for the role of Denise in Smoke on the Mountain, which is currently playing in Branson, MO. Before the rehearsals began, knowing full well that she might not even get the chance to go on, Rachel studied the script, learned her lines and memorized the music. She even attended all the shows leading up to the first rehearsal and took notes from the audience. After the second official rehearsal, the actress, whom Rachel was hired to replace, got

laryngitis. With only two rehearsals under her belt, Rachel went on and dazzled both the audience and the produc-tion staff - so much so that they fired the other girl and gave the part to her. Now, Rachel’s new motto is: Be Prepared. In her case, it certainly paid off. Rachel is a graduate of Oklahoma City University. Theater credits include the national tour of Dora the Explorer Live.

Photo Credits Page 1 Headline Photos Courtesy of: Sheryl McAvoy, Rich Grosko and Jay Zwibelman Recital Photo Courtesy of: Jay Zwibelman Page 2 Joel Morrison Photo Courtesy of Lori Morrison Dance the Mouse House Logo Courtesy of Richard McCroskey Page 3 Sarah McMullen: Photo top left Courtesy of Jonathan George. Photo bottom right Courtesy of Bonnie McMullen Clara’s Dream Photo Courtesy of Sheryl McAvoy Page 4 Photos Courtesy of all the individuals shown

Larissa just finished a three-month run of 42nd Street at the El Dorado Hotel in Reno, Nevada, where she was in the ensemble and an u/s for Anytime Annie and Maggie. Now she’s heading to the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where she will perform in the ensemble of Miracle on 34th Street.

Miller-Marley School of Dance & Voice 10448 Mastin - O.P. KS 66212

Phone: 913-492-0004 Fax: 913-894-2575

E-Mail: millermarleydance@millermarley.com

Website: www.millermarley.com

Rachel Thomas Has a New Motto