Eagles Cheerleader To Lead Dance Classes As Moorestown Theater Company Expands Slate

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader Julia McHale choreographed two shows at the Moorestown Theater Company’s (MTC) summer camp, and was looking to do more. McHale, a Rowan University student and Moorestown resident, expressed an interest in teaching exercise classes, and now it’s happening.

MTC Dance Director and Choreographer Jody Haggerty teaches several classes on Saturdays, and was looking to expand. She was hoping to reach parents who might have other obligations during her Saturday morning classes, and now their opportunities are expanding. Yes, MTC is expanding its activities this fall, and registration is now open.

McHale will teach the “Parents and Me,” “Dance Aerobics,” “Adult Ballet” and “Adult Hip Hop” classes. The classes run 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Haggerty will teach “Adult Tap” at 9 p.m. on Wednesday nights, in addition to classes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

MTC Managing Director & Vocal Director Carol Ann Murray will give private voice lessons by appointment, and Artistic Director Mark Morgan will give individual audition coaching sessions to help students be better prepared for their upcoming school auditions.

There will also be “Readers Theater” and “Into Character” classes to aid actors with the literary portions of performances, as well as to improve their reading levels and comprehension.

All these new classes are in addition to MTC’s usual group classes in acting, dance and voice. For a full description of each class, teacher biographies, schedules and to register, visit moorestowntheatercompany.org.

“We’ve wanted to do all these things for years, and now we have the space and our choreographers have more availability and we’re able to do them,” Morgan said. “We’re still doing all our normal things, too. Saturday is still our busiest day.”

The normal activities include productions of “Elf, Jr.,” “West Side Story, School Edition” and “Showstoppers.”

“Showstoppers” is the MTC’s holiday show that will be performed by MTC’s new “Elite Stage,” which will include actors ages 10-21. The elite ensemble will also have the chance to take trips and to perform at the Extrava-Gala fundraising dinner dance on Saturday, Oct. 21, at The Mansion in Voorhees.

Auditions will take place at First Baptist Church, 19 West Main Street in Moorestown on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Rehearsal begins Sept. 23, and will take place on Wednesdays, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The show is tentatively set for a performance at a location to be announced on Saturday, Dec. 16. For more information and to register for this program, click here.

“Elf, Jr.” is the fall show for actors ages 6 to 17, set for Dec. 1-3 and 8-10 at William Allen Middle School. Actors can audition at First Baptist Church from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, or 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23. Rehearsals will be Mondays and Tuesdays, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“As we need lots of ‘Elves’ in this very fun holiday musical, this show is ideal for new, young performers,” Morgan said.

For more information and to register, click here.

“West Side Story, School Edition” is MTC’s Teen Stage show for ages 13 to 17, set for Nov. 8-11 at William Allen Middle School. Actors can audition at First Baptist Church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24. Rehearsals will be Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

MTC recently performed “West Side Story, School Edition,” and while there will be some returning actors, there will also be some who don’t come back and thus make room for new actors. MTC is looking for new teens to become part of this legendary musical. For more information and to register, click here.

Attached images were provided by the Moorestown Theater Company