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Oct
09
A GUY AND HIS DOLL

Michelle and Jerome Vivona – Owners and Artistic Directors of the American Theater Dance Workshop, celebrating its 34th year!


Michelle and I became the Artistic Directors of the American Theater Dance Workshop four years ago this past August. Prior to that, we spent our careers working in Ballet Companies, on Broadway, TV and Film and Michelle spent 6 seasons as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Our goal was to bring our unique understanding of what it takes to become successful in the business and the arts to Long Island. We met in Paris doing West Side Story and fell in love – we were engaged almost immediately and spent the next two and a half years working together, on tour and on Broadway. 25 years later – we still share a dynamic work ethic and passion for the arts. Michelle and I were very fortunate to learn from, work with, and share the stage with some of the greatest names in the history of Broadway: Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Gwen Verdon, Hal Prince, Bebe Neuwirth, Debbie Allen, Patti LuPone, Andy Blankenbuehler, Sutton Foster, Matthew Broderick, Brian Stokes Mitchell and so many more. Together we performed in over a dozen Broadway Musicals including Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Guys and Dolls, How to Succeed…., Kiss Me, Kate, Curtains, Seussical, the Musical, Dream – the Johnny Mercer Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sweet Charity, Gypsy, 42nd Street, On Your Toes and Anything Goes as well as touring the US and abroad. We have both worked as Directors and Choreographers, dance and fight captains, swings, producers, and advisors. We’ve also taught in College Programs and in classrooms across the country. Because of our experiences and our relationships we directly inherited this art form and learned it must be shared from generation to generation – the stories, the history, must be passed down or they’re lost. Our passion and our attention to detail is what gave us our careers and it’s what makes our studio so unique. Technique cannot be faked. It is what gives you the freedom to dance any form of dance with confidence and style. We are committed to sharing our experiences and connections to the Ballet and Broadway communities to make your child’s experience second to none. Ballet to Broadway – building careers one step at a time. Please join us! #TrainTeamVivona


We will use this blog to share our history, stories, ideas and best practices to support the development of the next generation of artists as they find their way and their voice – we will continue to try and give back to the art form that has given us so much over the years. we hope you’ll check in from time to time and that you’ll find something of value that you can put to good use in your life and career. So, here we go…