SDCF’s Professional Development Program provides opportunities for early career directors and choreographers to observe and/or support experienced directors and choreographers during the production process. The program’s primary focus will be emerging and early-career artists, though there may be opportunities for mid-career artists during a season as well.

ALICIA NEWCOM (she/her) is incredibly thankful to SDCF, Jennifer Rias, and Lonny, Matt, and everyone at Beaches The Musical for the opportunity to be the SDCF choreography fellow on this production. She very much looks forward to learning under Jennifer Rias’s incredible leadership. Alicia is a choreographer, associate choreographer, Broadway performer, and dance educator based in NYC. Her main focus is building and facilitating theatrical spaces where everyone’s humanity is seen and respected. As an associate, Alicia has worked as associate/assistant choreographer to Charlie Sutton, Billy Griffin, Mark Myars, Al Blackstone, Phil Colgan, and Nicholas Palmquist. Recently, she was the dance assistant to Mark Myars for the NBCUniversal Upfronts at Radio City Music Hall and associate choreographer to Phil Colgan for music video “Days Gone By” by Midlake (starring Ted Lasso’s James Lance). As a performer, select credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Radio City Rockette), Wicked (Broadway and national tour), 42nd Street (national tour), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (PCLO: associate choreographer/swing/dance captain), MTV VMAs, the TODAY Show, the Tony Awards, Gateway Playhouse, The REV Theatre Company, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and Arizona Broadway Theatre. She has taught at Steps, Broadway Dance Center, and Rosie’s Theater Kids, and she enjoys studying leadership and organizing and applying those skills to advocate for more humane theatrical spaces. Alicia also hosts the podcast Assembly Guide: “Your guide to assembling and organizing as we work to make change in our theatrical industry.” @alicia_newcom www.alicianewcom.com

Julian X is thrilled to be making a Broadway debut with CATS: The Jellicle Ball. An award-winning director, performer, and multidisciplinary creator based in New York City, creating rhythm-driven theater rooted in QTBIPOC+ lineages and liberation. BFA Theatre Arts, Boston University. Developed and produced work with New York Theatre Workshop, The Theatre Offensive, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. Selected credits: Laure (NYTW/The Tank), Toni Stone (Huntington Theatre), Smoke, Where the Black Boys Are, and more. Gratitude to his mom and Maw-Maw for their sacrifice and continued love. IG: @julianwhxs

SDCF Professional Development Program Participants

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