Below are the recipients of the SDCF Professional Development Program 2024-2025 Season: Cycle 3 – Round 2 Recipients
Elise Kinnon – Observership with Warren Carlyle on Pirates! The Penzance Musical on Broadway
Photo by Gabriel Kearns
With an Australian-American background spanning choreography, performance, and direction, Elise Kinnon has always sought to push the boundaries of movement-driven storytelling through a deep understanding in blending both technical precision with emotional resonance. With extensive experience in both performance and creative leadership, she has brought her talents to renowned theaters both nationally and internationally and has established herself as a sought-after choreographer and director.
Some select Director and Choreography credits include – Resident Director and Choreographer for Theatre Aspen 2019 Season, Director/Choreographer- The Wizard of Oz (Theatre Aspen), Choreographer- An American in Paris (Arts Centre of Coastal Carolina), Choreographer- Hello Dolly! (West Virginia Public Theatre), Associate Director/Co- Choreographer- Mamma Mia! (Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Theatre Aspen, and Westchester Broadway Theatre), Associate Director/Co-Choreographer- Les Misérables (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Co-Choreographer- Grease, Saturday Night Fever (Maine State Music Theatre) and Associate Director/Co-Choreographer- Cabaret, Peter And The Starcatcher, Ragtime, Hairpsray (Theatre Aspen).
In addition to her work as a Creative, Elise has had an extensive career as a performer both onstage and in film, working alongside Dame Julie Andrews (Goodspeed – The Great American Mousical), Gary Marshall (Goodspeed – Happy Days – A New Musical), Paul King/ Christopher Gattelli (WONKA), Julie Taymor (Across The Universe), Mark Bramble (42nd Street Asian Tour), Kelli Barclay (42nd Street, White Christmas– Randy Skinner, Original Broadway Choreography), Victoria Clark (Theatre Aspen) and her mentor and dear friend, Mark Martino (countless productions).
Elise’s passion for the art form continues to drive her pursuit of innovative, emotionally compelling choreography. She is inspired by and honored to have been chosen by Tony Award-winning choreographer Warren Carlyle for the Choreographic Observership on Pirates! The Penzance Musical! Elise is thrilled to further refine her artistic approach under his mentorship and leadership. Many thanks to SDCF for this amazing program and opportunity!
Up next – Elise will be Associate Director/Co- Choreographer for Tootsie at Maine State Music Theatre this Summer.
Www.elisekinnon.com, @elisekinnon- Instagram, @elisekinnon- Facebook
Rebecca Rovezzi – Fellowship with Aileen Wen McGroddy on Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (With Live and Active Cultures!) by Julia Izumi at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Photo by Julianna McGuirl Photography
Rebecca Rovezzi (she/her) is a freelance director specializing in the development and creation of joyfully fearless new plays and musicals. Bex is the Artistic Associate at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, prior to which she developed new work as a member of the artistic staff at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Rebecca is an alumni of Portland Stage’s Directing and Dramaturgy Apprenticeship and the 2017 SITI Company Summer Intensive. A few favorite directing credits include Kate Hamill’s Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Mary Zimmerman’s The Secret in the Wings, Molly Burdick’s Light Green Moss, Holly Hughes’ Clit Notes, and Sam Steiner’s Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons. BS: Skidmore College. rebeccarovezzi.com
Bios and quotes on this page are reflective exclusively of the individual artists.