HALL-O-ME 2021 - Marshall Ellis Dance School
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Thank you for being here tonight
HALL-O-ME 2021
Presented by ME Dance
Featuring
Dance Theatre of Orlando
Marshall Ellis Dance School
Created by Marshall Ellis
Choreography by Marshall Ellis
ME Ballet Company - Lauren Richardson
OTOWN Taps - Daniel Hunalp
Video / Music / Lighting by Marshall Ellis
Costumes by Alex Ellis
Company Manager | Alex Ellis
Public Relations | Téa Piro
Executive Assistant | Taylor Hnatek
TeamME Director | Alexis Kumpf
Studio Company Assistant | Megan Savard
ME Ballet Company Director | Lauren Richardson
OTOWN Taps Company Director | Daniel HunalpMEET THE ARTISTS OF DANCE THEATRE OF ORLANDO
Alex Ellis
Alexandra Schudde-Ellis is a true Florida girl - born in the panhandle
but raised in Orlando. Starting at the age of 15, for five consecutive
summers, Alexandra traveled to Tampa to be involved with Broadway
Theatre Project as an apprentice and assistant to the program
director. While there, she was able to study under the direction of
some of Broadway’s greatest performers, including Ann Reinking,
Debra McWaters, Ben Vereen, Dave Clemmons, and many more.
After graduating from high school, Alexandra began to dance as a
company dancer for Northwest Florida Ballet under the direction of
Todd Eric Allen and Dorothy Daniels Lister. After two seasons with
NWFB, she moved back to Orlando, where she began performing for
Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. In 2010, Alexandra
performed at the Winter Park Playhouse in Let’s Face the Music — A
Tribute to Fred Astaire, in which she played Fred’s five leading ladies
(Ginger Rogers, Adele Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Eleanor Powell, and Marjorie Reynolds). At the same time,
Alexandra was featured as a motion capture dancer for Hannah Montana: The Movie (video game).
Alexandra has been performing at Disney since 2007. She has performed in Finding Nemo the Musical,
Beauty and the Beast, Dream Along with Mickey (Dance Captain), A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, and
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (Dance Captain). She has also performed as a backup dancer for Sophia
Carson, Jordan Fisher, and Amanda Highland in Disney’s holiday specials for ABC. At Universal Studios,
during Halloween Horror Nights in 2008 and 2009, she performed in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween
Adventure and Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute. She has also spent time at Universal’s Islands of
Adventure, performing in both Grinchmas and as an opening cast member in the Triwizard Spirit Rally at The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter as a student from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Along with
performing, Alexandra serves on the Board of Directors for ME Dance, Inc. and teaches at the Marshall Ellis
Dance School.
Taylor Hnatek
Taylor Hnatek, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, grew up dancing at
Carolina Dance Center where she trained in ballet, jazz,
contemporary, and tap. She continued her dance education at Elon
University, graduating in 2018 with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and
Choreography and a B.S. in Dance Science with a minor in Exercise
Science. While in college, she choreographed works for the Elon
Dance Program’s Choreography Salon and performed in numerous
shows with the Elon Dance Program, such as the Fall and Spring
Dance Concerts, Dancing in the Landscape, and the Black History
Month Concert. Taylor was an Elon College Fellow, and, through this
program, she completed a two-year research project about disability
in the dance world. She was the President and Community Outreach
Chair of Delta Chi Xi, the Honorary Dance Fraternity, a member of the
Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi Honors Societies, and the Secretaryof Synaesthetic Dance, a collaborative multimedia dance collective. In 2016, she attended the American
Dance Festival’s Six Week School, and she was the Choreography and Production Assistant at the 2017 and
2018 Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama. Taylor currently resides in Orlando,
Florida, where she was formerly a Character Performer at Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando. She
teaches jazz and modern at the Marshall Ellis Dance School and is excited to be performing in her second
season with Dance Theatre of Orlando.
Alexis Kumpf
Alexis Kumpf is from Central Florida and has been dancing since the
age of three, training in styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary,
tap, and musical theater. Throughout her time as a dance student,
she had numerous opportunities to train at places such as Orlando
Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. To
continue her training, Alexis earned a B.A. in Jazz Dance from Point
Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During her time there,
she had many different performance and choreographic
experiences. After graduating, she started her professional dance
career by moving back to Central Florida, where she gained a new
skill: bellydancing, in a main stage show, Treasures of the Mirage, at
Busch Gardens. After one year of performing in seasonal shows at
Busch Gardens, Alexis moved to Orlando. Since moving, she has
continued her professional career at Universal Studios, SeaWorld,
and Walt Disney World. She has had the opportunity to open multiple parades and has learned timeless
shows such as the Main Street Trolley Show and Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade at the Magic
Kingdom. Alexis is currently performing in the SuperStar Parade at Universal Studios. This is her first year as
the Director of TeamME Unite, the competitive troupe at the Marshall Ellis Dance School. Alexis is thankful
for four wonderful seasons as a company member of Dance Theatre of Orlando!
Erin Murphy
Erin Murphy (company member for nine years) was born in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania and started taking dance lessons at the age of three
under the instruction of Abby Lee Miller. She has studied multiple
dance styles, including, jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, modern, acrobatics,
and gymnastics. Immediately after graduating high school, her
professional dance career began at Walt Disney World as a Kid of the
Kingdom, where she was a swing for Disneymania! and Every Day's a
Holiday. She was fortunate enough to tour the world while dancing
for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and continued on travelling with
Holland America Lines as a dance captain. After many years at sea,
Erin decided to get her "land legs" back. She returned to Disney and
performed in Festival of the Lion King at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
She is currently a dancer and dance captain at Universal Studios in
their Superstar Parade. While performing, she is continuing her
education in Pilates training and is working her way toward earning her certification. She feels very honored
and fortunate to be a part of Dance Theatre of Orlando.Téa Piro
Téa grew up dancing at Academy of Arts in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theatre, and
contemporary, was a member of the Studio Company, and attended
various summer programs throughout the country. Upon graduating
from high school, she studied journalism and dance at the University
of South Florida and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public
relations from the University of Florida. Téa has danced at Walt Disney
World as part of Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and
Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade. She is thrilled and honored to be
performing with Dance Theatre of Orlando and teaching at the
Marshall Ellis Dance School at Dr. Phillips.
Lauren Richardson
Lauren Richardson received her early training at the Draper Center for
Dance Education in Rochester, New York. She graduated from the
North Carolina School of the Arts in 2009. Lauren went on to dance
professionally with Atlanta Ballet, BalletMet Columbus, Montgomery
Ballet and The Georgia Ballet, dancing Principal, Soloist and Corps de
Ballet roles in ballets such as Giselle, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote,
The Sleeping Beauty, and Phantom of the Opera. In 2015, Lauren
moved to Orlando to perform at the Walt Disney World Resort,
dancing in shows and parades at Magic Kingdom and as a Principal
AEA Dancer/Aerialist (Maji) in Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s
Animal Kingdom. She joined Dance Theatre of Orlando in August
2015, where she has been honored to create original roles in shows
such as Change, Rise, and as Claire in The Nuthouse, among several
others. Lauren currently performs as a Beauxbaton Academy dancer
in the Triwizard Spirit Rally at Universal Orlando Resort and has served as the Director of the Elite Training
Program and Artistic Director of ME Ballet Company at Marshall Ellis Dance School since 2016. She is very
happy to continue dancing with Dance Theatre of Orlando this season!
Victoria Roldan
Victoria was born in England and started dancing at four years old in
tap and ballet. As she got older, her passion for dance grew, and she
went on to study at Northern Ballet School for three years. Just
before graduation, she was offered a contract with Carnival Cruise
Lines. Victoria danced with Carnival for five years, where she met her
husband. They decided to start a life together on land in Orlando,
where Victoria first began dancing for Dance Theatre of Orlando in
2019.Megan Savard
Megan Savard, originally from Massachusetts, has been working
directly with Marshall Ellis since 2014. Megan was accepted into
Dance Theatre of Orlando in 2019 as a company dancer. Previously,
she was the premier company dancer for ME2 Dance Company and
has performed in over twenty professional productions for both
Dance Theatre of Orlando and ME2 Dance Company. Megan is an
aspiring choreographer who teaches evening classes at the Marshall
Ellis Dance School and choreographs for the TeamME Unite
competitive team. She is currently a 2021-2022 season NFL
Jacksonville Jaguar Cheerleader/Dancer. While pursuing her
professional dance career, Megan studies at the University of Central
Florida as a double major in Film and Digital Media Game Design.
Elijah Vazquez
Elijah Vazquez of Hammond, Indiana graduated with a B.F.A. in
Theatre Performance from Niagara University, along with a dance
minor, philosophy minor, and a focus in Advance Playwriting. Some of
Elijah’s roles and credits include: As You Like It (Orlando), The Drowsy
Chaperone (Gangster #2), Chicago (Ensemble/Dance Captain),
Legally Blonde (Kyle, Grandmaster Chad), Little Shop of Horrors
(Ensemble/Co-Choreographer), Holiday Inn (Ensemble), Flashdance
(CC), Mamma Mia (Ensemble), Matilda (Scary Big Kid/Rudolpho), Cats
(Mr. Mistoffelees), Hello Dolly! (Ensemble), Godspell (Herb), and the
National Tour of The Buddy Holly Story (Ritchie Valens). He has been
a Scareactor for Halloween Horror Nights and a dancer for Universal
Studios’ Holiday Parade, and is currently a company dancer for Dance
Theatre of Orlando.
DANCE THEATRE OF ORLANDO APPRENTICES
Dakota Koffinas Rachel SegoviaMEET THE ARTISTS OF MARSHALL ELLIS DANCE SCHOOL STUDIO COMPANY
Lilly Argueta | Rory Foranoce | Carina Gonzalez | Jiana Gonzalez | Kalei Hao | Avery
Haugh | Mackenzie Hill | Dakota Koffinas | Lia Mercado | Samantha Niedzwiecki | Ansley
Nusen | Kinsley Nusen | Rachael Reece | Frances Recio | Faubieolla Satur | Rachel
Segovia | Paula Silva | Katarina Suarez | Bailey Toney | Gabby Vuini
MEET THE ARTISTS OF ME BALLET COMPANY
Lilly Argueta | Kalei Hao | Avery Haugh
| Mackenzie Hill | Lydia Hinners | Sophie Hunsicker | Dakota Koffinas | Rachael Reece |
Frances Recio | Katarina Suarez
MEET THE ARTISTS OF OTOWN TAPS
Rory Foranoce | Kinsley Nusen
THE STORY OF ME
Since its inception in 2011, ME Dance has been a driving force in the burgeoning Central
Florida arts community, creating an environment where professional dancers and students alike
can cultivate their talent and artistry, and where innovative approaches to dance inspire growth
in arts and entertainment. Marshall Ellis Dance School and ME Theatre opened its doors in
2014 to provide students with an environment where they can learn and grow to their fullest
potential as dancers.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHARITY
AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION PLEASE VISIT
http://MEdance.orgFOUNDER
Marshall Ellis
Marshall Ellis is a driving force in the burgeoning Central
Florida arts community, creating an environment where
professional dancers and students alike can cultivate their
talent and artistry, and where innovative approaches to dance
inspire growth in the arts and entertainment.
The founder and owner of Marshall Ellis Dance School and
artistic director of Dance Theatre of Orlando, Ellis has
trained, traveled, and danced around the world, performing
solo and principal roles throughout Europe, Asia and the
United States. He is a former principal dancer for Orlando
Ballet, dancing under the direction of the renowned
Fernando Bujones and serving as Company Representative.
After his years at Orlando Ballet, Ellis became the principal dancer for Cirque du Soleil – La
Nouba, where he performed the company’s premier ballet role. He also became an Equity
dancer and principal dance captain at Walt Disney World, performing in Beauty and the Beast
Live on Stage and Festival of the Lion King.
Ellis’s credits include performing with NSYNC in the NFL Pro Bowl Halftime Show and dancing
with Neil Patrick Harris in the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.
A native of Alabama, Ellis began dancing at age 6, winning regional and national titles in
competitions. At 15, he enrolled in the Alabama School of Fine Arts and began studying ballet
under the direction of Therese Laeger. Upon graduation, he received the Prix D’Excellence de
Danse, ASFA’s premier award.
From there, Ellis joined Ballet Austin, and subsequently was invited to dance under full
scholarship at Images of Dance, London Studio Centre’s classical ballet company. During his
time in London, he received the coveted Dave Rymer Trust Prize.
Throughout his career, Ellis has worked as a teacher and choreographer at organizations
including Alabama School of Fine Arts, Orlando Ballet School, STEPS Program for at-risk
children, Walt Disney World Resort, and Dance Masters of America. His choreographed works
for students and companies have been performed and awarded in Youth American Grand Prix,
and his professional work has been performed by ASFA, Arova Dance Company, Cirque du
Soleil, Orlando Ballet, ME Dance, and Dance Theatre of Orlando. He has served as a guest
teacher at organizations throughout the United States and currently works as a guest
choreographer at Rollins College.
When Ellis formed his professional company in 2011, his vision was to introduce innovative
ideas that would enrich the arts community and provide an outlet to feature artistic talent. To
that end, he has mounted numerous original productions, and he became the founder and
producer of the popular iDance Orlando Festival and Orlando Tap Festival, both annual events
offering instruction and performance opportunities for dancers. He owns and operates ME
Theatre, a performing arts venue that gives local and international artists a platform to createand showcase artistic talents.
He built on his success by opening ME Dance School in 2014, with the goal of providing
students with an environment where they can cultivate their talent and artistry to its fullest
potential. There he has developed his unique Fusion program, featuring a blend of classes in
ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, aerial, and tumbling. In 2017, he introduced
the Elite Training Program, an intensive, full-time ballet program designed to train the next
generation of dancers.
In addition to dance, Ellis has a longstanding passion for media design and created his
production company, WME Design, in 2008. He has self-produced more than 40 shows and
events and served as lead designer on many more for client organizations. WME Design offers
graphic design, videography, photography, and music editing.
Ellis is married to Alex Schudde-Ellis, who is an Equity dance captain at Walt Disney World
Resort, a dancer at Universal Studios Florida, and a teacher at ME Dance School.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ME!
Become a contributor - Learn more! http://MEdance.org
By becoming a contributor, you are supporting the next generation of dancers. By joining our
membership giving program, you can choose from the following support categories: financing
a student of the Marshall Ellis Dance School through the Florida Dance Scholarships fund,
helping underwrite a production for Dance Theatre of Orlando, or becoming an ongoing
benefactor who supports the mission and goals of ME Dance, Inc.
Florida Dance Scholarships - Learn more! http://MEdance.org
When you choose to donate to ME Dance, Inc., you have the incredible opportunity to fund a
student’s dance education. Florida Dance Scholarships by ME Dance is a donation-based
scholarship fund that sponsors young artists through ME Dance, Inc. Patrons of the Florida
Dance Scholarships fund will contribute to the development of the art of dance in Central
Florida by donating to provide financial aid to students at the Marshall Ellis Dance School.
These funds will be disbursed directly to individual students’ support accounts.
Dance Theatre of Orlando
As a donor, you also have the option to sponsor productions and performances that are
financed by ME Dance, Inc. Our charity disburses funds in support of Dance Theatre of
Orlando.
Dance Theatre of Orlando is Orlando’s premier
contemporary dance company. Founded in 2011
as ME Dance, the company has generated
numerous seasons of full-length dance productionsthat are designed to captivate audiences of all ages through engaging story-telling strategies,
including the incorporation of new elements of dance and innovative technology, lighting, and
film. Founder Marshall Ellis aims to continue to elevate the performance experience by
providing a high level of dance technique and movie quality footage, while inspiring audiences
of any age.
DONORS WHO CHOOSE TO JOIN OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM WILL SUPPORT THE CENTRAL FLORIDA
ARTS COMMUNITY BY ASSISTING WITH PRODUCTION EXPENSES FOR DANCE THEATRE OF ORLANDO.
YOUR DONATION WILL FUND REHEARSALS, COSTUMES, SHOES, SET AND LIGHTING DESIGN, AND THE
CREATION OF AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR AND MANY OTHERS’ ENJOYMENT.
By participating in our membership program, you also have the chance to support the mission
and goals of ME Dance, Inc. With your donation, you are choosing to invest in the growth and
development of the Central Florida arts community so that Orlando and its surrounding areas
are able to flourish in creativity and diversity.
Our donors, whether individuals or businesses, have the option to choose from five ongoing
membership levels: Partner, Advocate, Artist Circle, Director Circle, or Producer Circle. You can
choose to donate monthly or annually. A breakdown of these levels is as follows:
Become a Donor - http://MEdance.org
BECOME A CONTRiBUTOR THiS SEASON!
CONTRiBUTOR LEVELS Partner Advocate Artist Circle Director Circle Producer Circle
$1-$50 $51-$100 $101-$400 $401-$500 $501+
BENEFiTS
iNViTE ONLY (DONOR RECEPTiON AFTER
PERFORMANCES), GATHERiNG SPACE
(COMPLiMENTARY USE OF ME THEATRE
FOR A SPECiAL EVENT)
RECOGNiTiON (NAME ON DiSPLAY iN
LOBBY)
FOOD AND BEVERAGE (FREE PiCK ME UP
AT PERFORMANCES - CERTAiN MENU
iTEMS ONLY)
PRiVATE OPEN REHEARSALS
DiSCOUNTS (MERCHANDiSE,
PERFORMANCE TiCKET ORDERS, PiCK
ME UP)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT (LiSTED ON
WEBSiTE AND iN PERFORMANCE
PROGRAMS)
PRiORiTY (PERFORMANCE TiCKET
ORDERS)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT (LiSTED ON
WEBSiTE)You can also read
