Check out some news and notes from dozens of our alumni. Got news to share? Complete our Alumni Update Form, and let us know where you’ve danced and what you’ve been up to!
Alumni Spotlight
Kathryn Ann Key
Kathryn Ann Key graduated with her bachelor’s in dance in fall 2012. She has since appeared in several tours, on cruise ships, and on network television.
Where are you based now?
Right now I am based out of a 2016 Ford Focus rental car while on tour! However, I call New York City my home base.
What have you been up to since you graduated and how did UA prepare you for it?
After graduation, I moved straight up to New York City to start the Professional Semester Program at Broadway Dance Center. After finishing the program I booked a few tours including The Smurfs Live, Alvin and the Chipmunks The Musical, and a few different Disney Live! productions. I have also been apart of a hip hop group (Rhythm City) and danced for several music videos of local artists out of NYC.
I loved how Alabama brought in other choreographers and different industry people. This helped in getting first hand knowledge of the current jobs out there. Having that inside knowledge along with the support from Cornelius [Carter] and John [Virciglio] meant the world. Throughout my career I’ve reached back to my Alabama roots to seek out help, advice, and a string pulled every now and then.
What has been your favorite professional gig?
My favorite professional job was the one I just finished dancing on Holland America’s Cruise Line with RWS Entertainment. It was my favorite because the cast I was working with was one of the most professional uplifting groups I had ever been apart of. The traveling was nothing short of amazing and I booked another job through the guest entertainers on the ship.
What was that audition process like?
The audition process was four years in the making. I auditioned for RWS Ent. in the spring of 2013. Franklyn was the casting director in charge and I made it through the four-cut process of the audition. We spoke after the audition and I had high hopes; however, the very next week I received a contract for Disney Live! so therefore I could not take the contract RWS Ent. offered me the following week. Fast forward three years, I saw another audition for RWS Ent. coming up and my agent at the time sent me in. Franklyn saw me and yelled “Where have you been??!” I had missed the past few open calls because of previous jobs or no availability. But I knew this was a company I wanted to work for and so I never gave up on my dream.
What advice would you give current students?
You never know who remembers you or what impressions you may have made on them. You begin your audition the moment you walk out the door. Someone who is riding the train with you might be the choreographer. The person getting coffee in front of you might be casting the next big Broadway hit. Or the lady who tried to catch the elevator and you let it close might be the casting director upstairs. It’s important to remember manners, graciousness, and professionalism. I have found that this matters more than your technique in most cases. Hundreds of girls can turn, leap, and tilt but are they accompanied with an ability to be humble and thankful? Producers and directors like to work with talented dancers, of course, but if you have an amazing and professional personality as well, then that’s when you continue to book gig after gig.
Anything else you’d like to share? A favorite UA memory or anecdote?
I am a proud alumni of the University’s theatre and dance program. I have been blessed and booked during and after my time at Alabama. I am currently on tour right now with TV celebrity magician and illusionist Joseph Réohm as his choreographer and assistant. We tour throughout the east coast and even had a show in Alabama! I love teaching, talking through my experiences, and answering any questions students may have about life in New York City, on tour (national or international), or on a ship. If you want to know what life may be like after college please follow me on Instagram (@kathrynannkey) to see my upcoming work!
Alumni Updates
Browse this list to see where University of Alabama dance students have performed!
Conventions, Film & TV
Pam Chancey
The Pulse (Owner)
Joy Spears
So You Think You Can Dance (Top Finalist); Hollywood Dance Jamz Competition/Convention (Teacher/Adjudicator); TV, film, industrials, artist tours, awards shows (see resume at www.joydenverspears.com)
Janelle Issis
So You Think You Can Dance (Top Finalist); Hollywood Dance Jamz Competition/Convention (Teacher/Adjudicator)
Emily Loftiss
Radio City Rockettes, Fox Good Day LA, MTV’s Made, Huffington Post, Southern Living
Cruise Lines
Alicia McGinty
We Will Rock You National Tour
Anna Solomon
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Josh Henderson
Disney Cruise Lines
Shaun Leary
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Ameen Price-Burnett
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Morgan Bryant
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Caitlyn McGee
Disney Cruise Lines
Maci Arms
Celebrity Cruise Lines
Tara Lynn Steele
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Tory Torello
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Carrie Strothers
Carnival Cruise Lines
Dance Companies
Jamorious Stewart
STREB Dancy Company NYC
Jamorris Rivers
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, NYC; Director, Aravo Dance Company, Birmingham, AL
Bria Tyner
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company, Denver, CO
Kelsey Ebersold
Atlanta Ballet
Mallory Herring
Ballet Contemporaneo de la Camara
Will Scott
Ballet Spartanburg
Bailey Harper
Lemon Spongecake Ballet, Denver, CO
Taryn Lavery
Arcos Dance Company, Austin, TX
Morgan Embry
DRIP, Orlando, FL
Disney/Universal Studios
Megan Muncher
Disney
Matthew Davis
Disney; Universal Studios
Kristen Hicks
Disney; Disney Cruise Lines
Sarah Lurdaisen
Disney; Disney Cruise Lines
Kathryn Key
Disney; Disney Live; Alvin and the Chipmunks
Melissa Gallagher
Disney; Disney Cruise Lines; Disney Live
Sheree Woods
Beauty and the Beast; Charlie’s Angels TV Series
Magazines
Alyssa Marks
Dance Teacher Magazine
Allison Michalke Gupton
Dance Informa
Pro Teams
Alexandria Giannini
Atlanta Falcons
Mallory Meissner
Atlanta Falcons
Colleen Franks
Atlanta Falcons
Heather Foster Kinder
Tennessee Titans
Jessica Haynie
Atlanta Falcons
Cameron Armstrong
Atlanta Falcons
Christine Theresa
Baltimore Ravens
Tara Sellers
LA Kiss
Studio Owners
Heidi Knight
Jamie Young Miller
Touring Shows
JJ Buttler
Saturday Night Fever
Allison Barnes
Beyonce