Jane Kohl, Director

Teacher: Preschool,
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pointe, Acting, Adult Dance
  • Certified to teach by Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America
  • 25 Year Member of National Dance Masters of America
  • Member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter #33
  • Past President, Dance Masters of America, Mid-South Chapter #41
  • Member of Alabama Dance Council
  • BA in Speech and Theatre, Louisiana State University
  • The Whole Backstage Community Theatre, Executive Board Member www.wholebackstage.com
  • Director and Choreographer of major community theatre productions
  • Choreographer, Highlands Playhouse, North Carolina - Summer 2000
  • "Nutcracker on Broadway" - 1999
  • Director/Choreographer, The Whole Backstage "Will Rogers Follies" - Summer 2003,2007,2008
  • Director/Choreographer, The Whole Backstage
    "42nd Street" - Summer 2006
  • "The Nutcracker", Christmas Play 2004 - The Whole Backstage

Melissa Kohl Blackburn, Associate Director

Teacher: Advanced Ballet, Tap
Jazz, Lyrical, Preschool, Dance Company Director
  • Certified to teach by Dance Masters of America
  • Member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter #33
  • Oklahoma City University, Dance
  • OCU American Spirit Dance Company
  • OCU Pep Dancers
  • BA in Dance Performance, University of Alabama
  • Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre
  • DANCE ALABAMA!
  • Broadway Dance Center
  • Dancer, Celebrity Cruise Lines
  • Dance Teacher, Tuscaloosa Extended Day
  • Dance Teacher, Boaz Extended Day
  • "Nutcracker on Broadway" - 1999
  • "The Will Rogers Follies" (Ziegfeld's Favorite) The Whole Backstage Community Theatre, Guntersville-2003, 2007 and 2008 & "42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer) 2006
  • Choreographer, Albertville Danceline 2007,2008

 

Lea Kohl  Blackburn
Guest Teacher

  • BFA in Performing Arts with a Dance Emphasis, Western Kentucky University -  "Chicago" (Roxie Hart)
  • Granbury Opera House, Texas                        Summer Stock Theatre - 2001 "The Will Rogers Follies" (Ziegfeld's Favorite)
  • Papermill Theatre, New Hampshire         Summer Stock Theatre - 2000 & 2002 "West Side Story" (Consuela), "A Chorus Line" (Judy)
  • Brooklyn Lyceum Theatre, NYC - 2003  "All Is for Love", Assistant Choreographer/Dancer,  Breeding Ground Productions
  • Mill Mountain Theatre, Virginia - 2003       "42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer)
  • National Broadway Touring Company       "42nd Street" 2003-2004(Ensemble and Lead Understudy)
  • June Taylor dancer, 2004 Annual Career Dance Gala, City Center, NYC
  • Regional Theatre-"All Shook Up" (Natalie), Flatrock Theatre, July 2008
  • "White Christmas" Cast member, 2008 Detroit Company
  • Westchester Broadway Theatre-"42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer) January, February 2010, NYC
  • Pioneer Theatre Company-"42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer) May, 2010-Salt Lake City
  • Broadway Rose Theatre-"A Chorus Line" (Val), August 2010
  • Movie: "Hunger"
  • Certified to teach by Dance Masters of America
  • The Whole Backstage Community Theatre, Guntersville
  • www.leakohl.com

                                                                    Amy Young

                                                                                   Amy Young

                                                           Guest Teacher: Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, Jazz, Pointe

                          * KAPA Teacher Training Program * "Miss Nexstar" 2006 & Platinum Solo Awards

                              * The Whole Backstage:  "The Will Rogers Follies" 2003, "42nd Street" 2006

                                  *  Dance Major at the University of Alabama

                                                              ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~

         TRACY DOWNS, Vocal Training

* Choral Director, Guntersville First United Methodist Church

* Vocal Director, "42nd Street" & "Will Rogers Follies",
The Whole Backstage Community Theatre

* Singer and Performer

FINIE HIGGINS, Acting Classes, Musical Theatre
Guest Teacher

                              * Degree in Theatre, University of Alabama-Birmingham

                   *Former Theatre/Drama Teacher at John Carroll HS in Birmingham, 
                                     Christ King School in Daphne, Alabama,
                                        and Birmingham Southern College                         

  JANE HARVEY and TRACEY RESLER, Guest Teachers
Dance, Musical Theatre

* Graduates of KAPA Teacher Training Program

* Former Dance Captains and Elite Members of KAPA'S DANCE EXTENSIONS COMPANY