DANCE THEATRE
DIRECTOR: rosenblk@miamioh.edu
PRESIDENT: papsonac@miamioh.edu
MEET THE COMPANY
2023-2024
Company Apprentices
Paige Hiles
Lily Gillespe
Allie Armontrout
Keira Kirkpatrick
Amanda Strmac
Anabelle Hess
Erin Duguay
Lily Van Nostran
2023-2024
Executive Board
Annabella Papson - President
Audrey Nunley - Vice President
Sydney Bair - Treasurer
Liv Warner - Secretary
Kylie Gunnig - Publicity Chair
Caroline Wolff - Associate Publicity Chair
Mia Stockle - Company Liaison
Allie Armontrout is a freshman Engineering Technology major from Fairfield, OH. Dancing since she was three years old, she has grown up training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and hip-hop at many competitive studios, but her primary education was at Butler Tech School of the Arts in Hamilton, OH. Last summer and fall, she worked as a dancer at Kings Island in Mason, OH, and hopes to continue to dance as her career in the future. She has a strong passion for performing and hopes to share this passion and grow alongside others who are just as passionate about dance. Allie is so excited and thankful that she is now a part of Dance Theatre, in this chapter of her life, and is looking forward to new and exciting experiences while gaining a greater knowledge of dance!
Sydney Bair is a sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA, majoring in Biochemistry and Pre-Medical Studies. Dancing for 15 years, she has trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and gymnastics at Thomas Dance Studio in Pittsburgh. She has loved going to various competitions and conventions as well as studying with guest choreographers from a variety of backgrounds. Sydney was unsure if she would continue to dance in college but when she found Dance Theatre, she knew right away she wanted to keep performing. She is beyond grateful to have a chance to keep doing what she loves, and even more excited to make lots of memories and friendships with the company. Sydney is currently serving as treasurer on Dance Theatre's Executive Board.
Kelsey Cook is a sophomore Individualized Studies major with an Arts Management co-major. From Powell, OH, she trained at Cutting Edge Dance studying ballet, musical theater, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and tap, and competed in various styles. Her passion for dance is large and she loves to pass that excitement on to younger generations through teaching and assisting classes. Kelsey is so excited to continue her love for dance throughout the next four years with Dance Theatre!
Betsy Coy is a second-year student from Springboro, OH, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Business Analytics. A dancer at Miami Valley Dance Academy for 12 years, competing for 9, she trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, pointe, hip-hop, and tap. Betsy is looking forward to these next few years of growth and exploration with Miami’s Dance Theatre.
Chloe Dickson, a sophomore from Gahanna, OH, is majoring in Strategic
Communications with a co-major in Fashion Merchandising. She began dancing at 3 and has loved it ever since. Dancing competitively for 13 years at her home studio, Pinnell Dance Centre, she has trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, and musical theatre. Chloe is so excited to start this new chapter of her life at Miami University and continue doing what she loves with the Dancer Theatre company!
Erin Duguay, a freshman from Aurora, OH, is a Kinesiology major with a Pre-Med co-major. Dancing for sixteen years, and competitively for 10, she is trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballroom. She was a member of Center Stage Dance Studios pre-professional company located in Northfield, OH. Over the years, she has participated in multiple conventions, competitions, and dance intensives across the country. Erin is very grateful and excited to continue dancing in college and cannot wait to create friendships and memories over the next few years with DanceTheatre!
Lily Gillespie, a first-year Zoology major from Carroll, OH, has trained in dance styles such as contemporary, jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, hip hop, and musical theatre. Beginning her dance journey at age 3 at The Movement Center School of Dance in Canal Winchester, OH, she has danced for over 15 years and competed for over 8. Lily has always loved being on stage and sharing her love for dance with others and cannot wait to grow alongside the other members of the Miami University Dance Theatre Company!
Jillian Green is a second-year Primary Education major from Westerville, OH. Dancing since the age of four, she has studied ballet, contemporary, pointe, jazz, modern, and hip hop. She started dancing competitively at 14 with Generations Performing Arts Center in Westerville, OH. Her favorite styles are ballet and contemporary and she has won various scholarships and awards for performing in these styles. Along with teaching elementary students, Jillian also plans to teach dance to youth dancers after college. She is beyond excited and cannot wait to grow in knowledge and love for dance the next four years with Dance Theatre.
Kylie Gunning is from Lebanon, OH, majoring in Social Work. She started dancing when she was four years old, has trained in contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and ballet, and has attended numerous dance competitions and conventions over the years. Kylie has performed in showcases and productions in the Cincinnati area. Kylie currently serves on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Publicity Chair. She loves the stage and is so grateful to be a part of Dance Theatre!
Anabelle Hess is a first-year student from Newark, OH, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Dance. Dancing for 15 years, she has trained in jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet, musical theatre, modern, and lyrical at Avante Dance and Gymnastics in Heath, OH. Competing for 10 years, she has attended various intensives and competitions across the country. Anabelle is so thankful to have the opportunity to pursue growth within dance alongside my new Dance Theatre family.
Paige Hiles, a freshman from Gurnee, IL majoring in Kinesiology, has been dancing for 16 years, 8 of them in competitive dance. Trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, modern, tap, hip hop, and jazz at DancEd Dance Centre in Northbrook, IL, she attended summer dance intensives at both Milwaukee Ballet and Hubbard Street (Chicago). Paige is so thankful to be a part of Dance Theatre and to be able to grow and make memories these next few years.
Franklin Jacobs, who goes by the name Dani, is from Columbus, OH, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Music degree, with minors in Entrepreneurship and Arts Entrepreneurship. Dani has been dancing since the age of 7 and has always enjoyed performing on stage. In their free time, Dani enjoys video editing and spending time with friends.
Olivia (Liv) Kakabeeke, a freshman from Kalamazoo, MI, who is majoring in Finance, has been dancing since the age of 3, and has competed around the country for fifteen years. Liv trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and tap at West Michigan Dance Center where she taught many classes and developed a passion for inspiring others. Liv is beyond excited to grow alongside the Dance Theatre company!
Keira Kirkpatrick, a freshman Business Analytics major, is from Cleveland, OH, and began her dance studies when she was 3-years-old. She trained in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, musical theater, and lyrical and competed on Elite Dance Academy’s company team for 10 years in Brunswick, OH. Keira is so grateful to be part of this company and excited to begin this new chapter with the Dance Theatre!
Rose Kurutz, a junior from Des Plaines, IL, started dancing at the age of 3 with the Des Plaines School of Dance and joined the competitive company, Artistry in Motion, at 7. She has trained in jazz, ballet, musical theater, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop and performed in many places including Disney World and New Orleans. She joined her high school’s Orchesis group and served as co-president during her 4th year. Working at a dance and arts summer camp, Rose also helped choreograph and produce shows for younger children. Outside of dance, she does theater, sings, and
plays the saxophone. Rose is incredibly excited for the coming years in Dance Theatre and the opportunities it will bring!
Jillian La Voy, a freshman Political Science major from Raleigh, NC, studied contemporary, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, ballet, and musical theater at Carolina Dance Center. She was a member of their pre-professional companies for 11 years and competed with them for 9. Jillian is so excited to have this opportunity to share her love for dance and be back on stage and she is looking forward to learning and growing as a dancer and a person over the next few years with Dance Theatre.
Audrey Nunley is a junior Architecture major from West Chester, OH. Dancing since she was 3 years old, she trained competitively with West Chester Academy and had the opportunity to perform on a Carnival Cruise ship alongside her fellow teammates. Trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, and tap, Audrey has taken classes in NYC with company members in Broadway shows and a workshop with a current Rockette. She is currently serving as Vice President on Dance Theatre's Executive Board. Audrey can’t wait to make many new memories with the Dance Theatre Company!
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Annabella Papson, a junior from Ashville, OH, is an Arts Management major and Dance minor. Dancing for sixteen years, and competitively for 13, she trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, and musical theatre at Pinnell Dance Centre. She has participated in multiple conventions, competitions, and intensives over the years as well as in shows to help raise money for a Children's Hospital and local food pantries. Bella has previously served as Dance Theatre's Company Liasion and is now, President. She is very thankful and excited to continue dancing in college and cannot wait to create friendships and memories over the next few years with Dance Theatre!
Ilara Pritchard is a senior with a major in Architecture and a minor in Dance. Dancing since she was five years old and competing since she was 7 at Buffa's dance studio in her hometown of Burke, VA, she has studied ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. In 2017 she attended a dance intensive at the Detroit Opera House led by members of a Detroit area company. Then in 2019, she got the opportunity to dance at the Kennedy Center's new Arts Center before it was opened, led by Hope Boykin, a company member of the Alvin Ailey company. She is so glad that she gets to continue her joy of dancing at Miami with Dance Theatre.
Sophia Stavropoulos, a second-year Secondary Science Education major from Chicago, IL., is trained in hip hop, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary mainly through Steppin' Out at Deforest Dance Academy. She also competed for 2 years with the York Community High School Competitive Dance Team in Elmhurst, IL. Outside of school and dance, she enjoys singing and watching hockey among other things. Sophia is so excited to continue her dancing career and share her passion with all the dancers in Miami Dance Theatre!
Amanda Strmac, from Cleveland, OH, is a Marketing major at Miami and danced at Elite Dance Academy in Brunswick, OH for 15 years. She was trained in many styles of dance but her favorite is contemporary. Because dancing brings Amanda so much joy and fills her heart with love, she can’t wait to dance with all the Dance Theatre company members and make lifelong friendships along the way!
Mia Stockle, a junior from Cleveland, OH majoring in Primary Education with a minor in Special Education. She’s danced for 13 years, the last 12 at Center Stage Dance Studio in Northfield, OH, where she trained in contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet, and modern. She began competing at 9 and her love for dance has continued to grow ever since. Mia wasn’t sure if she would continue dancing after high school but was thrilled to have auditioned for Dance Theatre. She’s super excited to continue training and doing what she loves most and eagerly anticipates the friendships she hopes to make in the years to come! Mia is currently the Company Liaison for Dance Theatre's Executive Board.
Allyson Skuderin, an Emerging Technology in Business and Design major from Cleveland, OH, is a sophomore. Prior to Miami, she danced for 16 years at Cleveland Ballet Conservatory and on the Magnificat High School Dance Team, training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and lyrical. Allyson is so excited for this new chapter in her life in Miami’s Dance Theatre Company and cannot wait to see how she can grow alongside the other members!
Liv Warner, is a sophomore studying Strategic Communication and Arts Management. Is from Marysville, OH where she trained for 15 years at In Step Dance Center. She was also a part of Marysville’s award-winning show choir. This is Liv’s second year dancing with the company and her first year on the Executive Board serving as Secretary. She is extremely grateful to learn, grow, and make memories with Dance Theatre!
Noelle Wittwer, a senior from Crystal Lake, IL majoring in Zoology. Dancing for 14 years, she has trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, and character but ballet has always been her favorite style. Trained at the Judith Svalander School of Ballet for six years, she was also an assistant instructor for the younger dancers and enjoyed performing in the Nutcracker performances every year. At Miami, she is involved in the modeling committee with MUF&D and the Zoology & Biology Club. Noelle also has previously served on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Secretary and Vice President. She is thrilled to be part of Dance Theatre and is very much looking forward to continuing to pursue her passion and grow as a dancer.
Caroline Wolff, is a second-year student from Cleveland, OH majoring in EmergingTechnology in Business and Design. Dancing for sixteen years, she began competing at six and is trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, musical theatre, ballroom, and African dance at Wilhelm Dance and Magnificat High School. She is excited to start her second season with Dance Theatre. Cary also serves on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Associate Publicity Chair.
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Livia Zuesi, a junior Accounting major and Arts Entrepreneurship minor from Columbus, OH, began dancing when she was four years old and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and lyrical. Prior to joining the Company, Livia was a student at Generations Performing Arts Center, participating in their competition program and annual performances. She has previously served on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Treasurer. Livia is so grateful for the opportunity to keep dancing throughout college and is looking forward to many more memories to come.
PHOTO CREDITS: JEFF SABO
PAST PRESIDENTS
Genáe Yeldell (2021-2022)
Since graduating from Miami University in May of 2022, I have been asked an iteration of the following question, countless times: “What would you describe as being your greatest accomplishment during undergrad?” Naturally, my time with Dance Theatre is the first experience that comes to mind. More specifically, my tenure as DT’s President. Oftentimes, the interested party will follow up with their assumption as to why I declare this to be my greatest accomplishment. “Is it because the organization provided you with the space to express yourself freely... the space to take a break from the academic rigor and other challenges in your life?”And yes, while these, too, are characteristics of Dance Theatre that will forever solidify my adoration of the organization, they could not be further from what makes me most proud of my
time as President.
On the contrary, serving as President for this organization felt like such a daunting responsibility, at times. I believe the best analogy I can draw is this: When selected to uphold any type of leadership role within Dance Theatre (Executive Board, choreographer, committee head, etc.), you quickly embody the sense that you have accepted a new around-the-clock job. In my case of Presidency, I was simultaneously completing my student-teaching internship in
Cincinnati during the fall semester; completing my final load of courses during the spring semester, which included a TA experience for one of LKR’s beginning modern sections; setting two distinct, yet both memorable, pieces on the Company. All the while, dealing with the typical affairs one may encounter as an undergraduate student. Naturally, all of these commitments at once can become – overwhelming.
There were many days where I would question myself: “Are you actively showing up enough for the Company?... Are you meeting the expectations and precedence set by those before you?... Are you failing this organization right now?” But then, there would always be subtle reminders that I was right where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I needed to do. Whether this reminder came in the form of a random “thank you” text from a company member, or more direct forms, such as receiving ASG approval following many late nights preparing Red Brick Rewards submissions, all of the little things mattered. They helped to ground me and my anxiety. In hindsight, I recognize that there would have been no better preparation for my current career path, than serving as DT’s President.
Anyone who works in education can attest, that there are some days in which you are on top of cloud nine; then, there are the days that you just want to crawl underneath a rock. Yet, if you place your best foot forward each day, you can always find small specks of light that remind you – this is where you are meant to be. This is it for you.
Finding the power behind this keystone of life is what my Presidency taught me. This is why I will always argue serving as Dance Theatre’s President is my greatest accomplishment made on Miami’s campus. I cannot imagine making it through those 4 years without DT. I cannot imagine successfully transitioning into my career path without serving as President. Beyond my abilities as a dancer and/or the accolades one can include on paper, Dance Theatre provided me, the human being, with so much more. So much so, I could never find the right words to express my thankfulness. However, when words fail, it becomes all the more meaningful that I was given the opportunity to pour into the organization that has given me so much, and honor the art form that has quite literally shaped who I am today.
AFUA ADDO
[2020-2021]
ELIZABETH HALE
[2019-2020]
REFLECTIONS
CONTACT US
107A Phillips Hall
420 S Oak Street
Oxford, OH 45056
Email: rosenblk@miamioh.edu
Telephone: 513-529-2730
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