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by Michael Portantiere

Dancers Are People, Too!

  • For many of us who can barely walk and chew gum at the same time, professional dancers seem to be rare, very talented birds indeed -- and they are. But they're still human beings who have pretty much the same life concerns as the rest of us, and even deeper concerns than the rest of us in terms of career longevity. Thus was born Career Transition for Dancers, the only nonprofit organization in the U.S. solely dedicated to helping thousands of dancers take their first steps in discovering new, rewarding careers when performing is no longer an option for them. On Wednesday, May 8 at Sardi's, CTFD and The Shubert Organization hosted a between-shows get together for the Broadway dance community. Here are some photos from that event.

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    Ellington-Gordon.jpg

    Dancer-choreographer-educator Mercedes Ellington and Ann Marie Ann Marie deAngelo, who will direct CTFD's Broadway and Beyond gala at City Center on October 8 (Photo: Michael Portantiere)


    Carter-Federle.jpg

    Two more hosts: Caitlin Carter (Chicago, Victor/Victora, Swing, etc.) and dancer-writer Tim Federle (Photo: Michael Portantiere)


    SabrinaHarper-Chet-Walker.jpg

    From Pippin, dancer Sabrina Harper and choreographer Chet Walker (Photo: Michael Portantiere


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    Dancer/choreographers Alex Sanchez and Josh Rhodes (Photo: Michael Portantiere)


    Cuccioli.jpg

    Singer, actor, and sometime dancer Robert Cuccioli (Photo: Michael Portantiere)


    FrancescaHarper.jpg

    Francesca Harper (Fosse, The Color Purple, etc.) was one of several speakers at the well-attended event (Photo: Mick Andreano)


    JessicaMcRoberts.jpg

    Jessica McRoberts of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (Photo: Mick Andreano)


    Garcia.jpg

    Gabriela Garcia of Chicago (Photo: Mick Andreano)


    Published on Saturday, May 11, 2013


    Michael Portantiere has more than 30 years' experience as an editor and writer for TheaterMania.com, InTHEATER magazine, and BACK STAGE. He has interviewed theater notables for NPR.org, PLAYBILL, STAGEBILL, and OPERA NEWS, and has written notes for several cast albums. Michael is co-author of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: BEHIND THE MYLAR CURTAIN, published in 2008 by Hal Leonard/Applause. Additionally, he is a professional photographer whose pictures have been published by THE NEW YORK TIMES, the DAILY NEWS, and several major websites. (Visit www.followspotphoto.com for more information.) He can be reached at [email protected]


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