Performing Arts

For the ninth year in a row, Elon is ranked among the nation's 376 top colleges and universities by The Princeton Review. The 2012 college guide, released Aug. 1, also ranks Elon’s study abroad program as #4 in the nation, and Elon’s theater program as #15.

Associate professor Lynne Kurdziel Formato taught master classes in theatre dance for the Dance Masters of America National Teachers Training School held July 25-29 at the University at Buffalo. Teachers from across the United States and Canada come together each year to participate in this unique program

Lynne Kurdziel Formato, associate professor of performing arts, choreographed a professional production of "FAME" for Artpark in Lewiston, N.Y. Directed by Randy Kramer, the show featured 11 current students or alumni of Elon's music theatre program, including Raphael Andrews, Maddie Franke, Clark Kinkade, Em Laudeman, Jared Loftin, Guy Mannick, Ben Redding, Sean Ronayne, Leela Rothenberg, Lucy Ann Werner and Tanner Wilson.

Michael-Kennen Miller '08, a graduate of Elon's music theatre program and a former competitive swimmer, diver and state-champion gymnast, was profiled a July 15 Washington Examiner article.

Associate Professor Lynne Kurdziel-Formato spent June 30 through July 5 teaching classes in theatre dance for Dance Masters of America at their National Convention, held in Orlando, Fla.

Associate Professor Lynne Kurdziel-Formato recently returned from Denmark where she directed and choreographed a production of Kander, Ebb and Fosse's CHICAGO for Det Danske Musical Academi in Fredericia, Denmark. She will return during the 2012 Winter Term to direct a professional production of Pasek & Paul's EDGES for the FredericiaTeater.

Matt Shingledecker '08 has been cast as Roger Davis in the Off-Broadway revival of "Rent," which opens Aug. 11 at New World Stages in New York City.

Lauren Kearns, associate professor of dance and head of the dance program at Elon, worked with Emmy-nominated director Douglas Rosenberg and noted dance theorist Ann Dills in selecting American Dance Festival's 16th Annual International Screendance Festival. The three worked together in April viewing over 90 screendance entries submitted from all over the world. You can see the twenty-three screendances they chose this week at Duke University. For dates, times and Duke Campus locations, please visit http://www.americandancefestival.org/projects/screendance.html