Overview
SHUFFLES is a BROADWAY TAP AND MUSICAL THEATER SCHOOL for kids and teens. Director, Gail Pennington Crutchfield, started the school in the fall of 1992. Having just closed her sixth Broadway show and being the mother of a five and two year old, the school was born out of her desire to give her own children the best possible musical theater performing experience. SHUFFLES gives students a unique combination of solid tap and musical theater technique with a love of performing. SHUFFLES students work on Broadway, in ballet companies (NYCB), and in high school and college musical theater programs across the country.
Mission Statement
SHUFFLES is a BROADWAY TAP AND MUSICAL THEATER training program, ages 3-18, that gives students of ALL ABILITIES a unique combination of solid TECHNIQUE with a love of PERFORMING. SHUFFLES strives for the highest standard of PROFESSIONALISM balanced with large amounts of FUN! SHUFFLES students should leave every day, and every year with JOY and CONFIDENCE.
Focus
Tap dancing is a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of DANCE THEATER. Children respond to the energetic physicality of tap while developing dance and rhythm skills, performance ability, and a CONFIDENCE in their own bodies. For younger children, technique is learned in a creative child centered manner through the use of singing, games, props, and dramatic play. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, strong technique, rhythm, musicality, and the JOY OF PERFORMANCE become the focus for older kids and teens.
Performances
Parent Visiting Days are in October and December.
Holiday Panto – PETER PANTOmime! A joyful holiday musical tradition, gives students an opportunity to audition, rehearse and perform in a professional setting.
The end of the year performance at the Kaye Playhouse is an all dancing, all singing, “Broadway Production” conceived, directed and choreographed by Broadway professionals. These sold out performances are complete with beautiful costumes, original musical arrangements, and professional rehearsals in a union theater. All SHUFFLES students perform.
Company Showcase – A January performance for SHUFFLES Tap Company and Musical Theater Company to showcase repertoire.
Joy Award
The JOY AWARD is given to the student who best exemplifies JOY with peers, teachers and the disciplines of Tap and Musical Theater.
Rose Award
A single ROSE is given to dedicated students who have been at SHUFFLES for five years or more.