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Alicia Albright

Alumni News
The Chicago production of "Wicked" brought together 2 former SRVDA students, Alicia Albright and Katie McNamee. The surprise reunion took place when Katie, as Associate Manager, arrived at the theater and found that Alicia was the Dance Captain of the show! The two individuals have both experienced remarkable careers, on opposite sides of the curtain. Alicia's credits include the European tour of "Jesus Christ, Superstar," the lead in "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers," and Dance Captain in the national company of "All Shook Up." She is currently on tour with the national company of "Wicked." Katie, in the meantime, has had a noteworthy career managing Broadway shows. She helped launch "Color Purple," "Billy Elliot," "9-5," and others; she was Associate Manager on "Legally Blonde" from conception to closing, managed "Wicked" in Chicago" for three months, and is now back in New York as Associate Manager on "Mama Mia." The Academy is extremely proud of Alicia and Katie for their outstanding careers in Broadway Theatre!

More Alumni News:
Troy Macklin recently completed his tenure with the Rebecca Davis Dance Company in Philadelphia. His varied roles with the company included Rehearsal Director, teacher, and performer. He was the lead dancer in the premier work, "Greed, The Tale Of Exon," which debuted January 30 at the Prince Music Theatre. Troy portrayed CEO Jeffrey Skilling, and was lauded by the Broad Street Review for his portrayal of the character, his dance abilities, and his "spectacular acrobatic leaps." (Troy graduated from the Juilliard School last June).

Renee Larsen has put her dance and gymnastic talents to good use since graduating from UC Irvine, performing with the Eveoke Dance Theatre in San Diego for 4 years and then becoming a stunt artist at Universal Studios Hollywood. She is now a member of the cutting edge Dance Company, Diavolo, and has toured both nationally and internationally with the company for the past 3 years. The company just completed the first leg of their winter tour in New York, Maine, and Indiana, and will have upcoming performances throughout the Mid West and in New Orleans. To learn more about the company, visit Diavolo's web site at www.diavolo.org

Nutcracker's 25th Year
Congratulations are in order to the SRVDA dancers, gymnasts, choreographers, costumers, and volunteers who contributed to another spectacular presentation of "Impressions of the Nutcracker." In its 25th year, the show continues to evolve and improve, thanks to the extreme efforts of artistic directors Ed and Gayle Farley. The SRVDA production is a famous holiday classic in the Tri-valley area. Each of the over 100 cast members danced with outstanding technique, grace, athleticism, and professionalism, entertaining audiences at our new venue, the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center.

Kristi & Jennifer

Jennifer Burgardt Honored
In the recent dance performance, "Begin To," presented by Saki Suto and The Scratch 4 Bloomin, a special tribute was paid, in dance and words, to SRVDA owner/director, Jennifer Burgardt. Former SRVDA student Kristi Vizza choreographed a piece to "This Woman's Work," with dancers Angelina Guzman, Catherine Kamrath, and Kristi; the work was a moving and emotional piece, performed brilliantly by the trio, created not only to celebrate the birth of Jennifer's daughter, Isabel, but to thank her for touching so many lives during her teaching career. As Kristi said in her introduction, "Jennifer is someone who puts her faith in people, no matter how many odds are against them, and continues to believe in them despite trials and tribulations. She is dedicated to the art of dance and to teaching others how to discover their own place in the art form that she loves."

Catherine, Kristi, Angelina