HHS Dance Students Welcome Melissa Mahon for a Masterclass in Fosse

Dance students at Harrison High School engaged in a unique musical theater jazz workshop, specifically in the Bob Fosse style, with Broadway veteran Melissa Mahon.

In partnership with Stage Door Workshops, Ms. Mahon brought not just her extensive technique but true Broadway professionalism to Harrison in teaching the students two stylistically different numbers from “All That Jazz” and “Me and My Baby”.

“Our students were already familiar with characteristics of the Fosse style such as isolated body parts, jazz hands, use of props, and inverted limbs,” said HHS Dance teacher Deborah Toteda. “Melissa added to this knowledge by speaking about the importance of improvisation in Chicago and the way Fosse liked to tell individual stories about each of his characters not only through technical “dance” movement but also using everyday gesture.”

Ms. Mahon, whose Broadway credits include Chicago, The Producers, 42nd Street, Cats, and The Sound of Music, spoke about her own experience – having auditioned for Chicago several times before being cast. In addition to playing almost every role in the show, she is often brought in to “cover” or train new dancers entering the production.

“The style of jazz in Chicago is not just about the specific, isolated movements Bob Fosse was known for, but it’s also about storytelling and the individual work dancers must design and perform during specific breaks in the music to share their character’s story with the audience,” said Toteda. “Developing character and understanding how to create movement through improvisation for that character, requires technical experience but also risk taking both on the part of the individual dancer and the ensemble. Melissa stressed the importance of delivering a clear message to the audience. Our students were happy to take on that challenge!”

After the ninety-minute workshop, Ms. Mahon worked with the students on their winter concert choreography, giving direction in specific dance techniques, use of space, and stage presence. That evening, several students traveled to New York City to see Chicago on Broadway, where they were greeted by the show’s current musical director Leslie Stifelman who not only introduced the HHS students to several cast members but also spoke about the college experience for a musical theater performer.

“This experience was so wonderful for our students, many of whom are researching Fosse Jazz as part of the World Dance Investigation IB Assessment,” said Toteda. “It was amazing to see how much the students grew from the morning to the afternoon.”