Master Dance Class With Dodie Pettit

On Sunday October 25 at 1 p.m. the Annie Russell Dance Studio will host a Master Dance Class given by the talented Dodie Pettit, a Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Artist. This class is open to everyone as long as they come prepared to dance. Those with a background in dance are especially encouraged to bring their jazz or ballet shoes and take advantage of the opportunity of learning from this award-winning dancer, singer, songwriter and Broadway actress.

 Pettit has appeared in over 4,000 shows, including Broadway productions of CATS and The Phantom of the Opera (as an original member of the cast). In 2004, the American Repertory Ballet and its Princeton Ballet School awarded her a lifetime achievement award for “commitment to the arts and excellence in the field of dance”. She has been part of The Princeton Regional Ballet Co. and became a founding member of the American Repertory Ballet in 1977 when it was still known as the Princeton Ballet’s professional company. Her next project is choreographing the upcoming production of Cabaret. Through this Master Class, anyone interested in dance will have the opportunity to work with her.

“It’s a chance to work with someone who is very accomplished in their field,” says Jennifer Cavenaugh, chair of the Department of Theater and Dance. In selecting a Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Artist two primary factors were kept in mind: 1) The artist needed to be someone who was accomplished and actively working in their field  2) He or she had to want to work with the students.  In addition to meeting both of these qualifications, Ms. Pettit is married to Kevin Gray a visiting assistant professor in the department.

For those who are more inclined to the technical aspects of production, another Master Class is slated for the spring with theater and television scene designer Ed Haynes. But for now, clear your calendar and prepare to dance.

-Jennifer Ritter (Class of 2013)