Join us for Over The Top Academy of Dance's Production of
DREAMWORKS MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE JR.!
"Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.
Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends — Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo — have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape — with the help of some prodigious penguins — to explore the world."
-Music Theatre International
THE CAST
From June 26 - July 28, our cast is rehearsing to bring you into the WILD! Our group of young artists have been working hard learning the show, the characters, the choreography, the music, and so much more!
This is Over The Top's largest cast we have ever had in our summer theater camp! Come on out to see all 30 young artists share their love of the arts with the community
The Production Team
the production staff
Phoebe Dawson
(she/her)
Director
Phoebe Dawson is brand new to the OTT Dance Family. She has been director for OTT's Summer Theater Camp for both DISNEY'S LION KING JR. and DISNEY'S MOANA JR. She is not only a director but is also a stage manager, choreographer, and performer in West Michigan. Phoebe has been working in educational theater for the past 5 years in the Grand Rapids community. Phoebe is a huge believer in the power of visual and performing arts education and is passionate about making the arts accesible and available to not only young artists but to everyone.
Erica Starks
(she/her)
Assistant Director
Erica is a rising senior in high school. She has been a part of 7 shows in the past two years: Almost Maine, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, The Matchmaker, The Crucible, Hair (Circle Theater), Little Women, and recently Once on This Island (Civic Theater). Erica hopes to have a career in acting because of Viola Davis’ wise words, "We are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life. Erica is back for her 2nd year with the summer theater camp, but this time as an Assistant Director!
Jennifer Smith
(she/her)
Choreographer
In 2004, at 21, Jennifer Bought Over The Top Academy of Dance, her childhood dance studio from the owners who helped her develop personally and professionally. Since then, Jennifer has shown the Alger Heights community what the life skills of dance can do. One of the keys for Jennifer in building her business is her abilities as a leader and mentor/ She has an uncanny ability to identify the best talents in her students and coaches them to become champions. Jennifer's love of Tap and musicality, combined with her genuine commitment to bringing the best out her dancers allowed her to create stories. Stories her dancers could feel and would live in each piece because each dance created from a place of understanding the history and presenting it with authenticity. Because Tap dance has given her so much, Jennifer is looking to pay this goodness forward by creating opportunities for young dancers to be inspired, for teachers to find mentors and veterans of the Tap world can continue to grow and enjoy dancing.
Hannah Cooke
(she/her)
Stage Manager
Hannah is currently a sophmore at Grand Valley State University studying Theatre and Advertising and Public Relations. Hannah has been involved with many productions at GVSU and has done a few community theatre productions as well in the Grand Rapids area. She also worked with last years summer camp at OTT Moana Jr as a volunteer and Stage Manager, and is so excited to come back for this show!
Vicente Frampton
(he/him)
Music Director
Vicente Frampton is thrilled to be joining the OTT dance family as Music Director for DREAMWORKS MADAGASCAR A MUSICAL ADVENTURE JR. He is passionate about helping students become the very best version of themselves through music and the arts. As an educator, Vicente has nearly 10 years of teaching band and choir and has taught students in 5th-12th grade in Grandville, Byron Center, and Ada. As a lifelong learner, he holds a master’s degree in music from Liberty University and is currently working on his doctoral thesis. In addition, Vicente is also involved in local ministry as worship leader and music director at Cornerstone Church in Grand Rapids. Vicente loves this quote by Victor Hugo, “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
Olivia Kornoelje
(she/her)
Production Assistant
Olivia Kornoelje’s journey with dance started when she was just three years old, at this very studio (formerly Jon T Dance Arts Center). She remembers when Miss Jen first bought the studio and the joy of watching it transform into the Over The Top Academy of Dance that you see now. She has studied all the styles and competed for five years with the studios CRU team & co-taught some classes while completing high school. She then had her own classes and taught preschool, tap, jazz, and hip hop for five years. Outside of the studio, she studied at Grand Rapids Community College and received an Associate of the Arts degree. She also worked in retail management for five years and has been in banking industry for three years. This December, she’ll be graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors in Communications. Coming back to the studio in her new role as a Director of a Mindful Movers program is a full-circle moment and an exciting venture! Throughout the years, she has always stayed connected to the studio, the kids, and the community. You may have seen her stage manage at the recitals or taken a class from her at the Hotties in Heels GR monthly classes at the studio. This new chapter for her is looking to be the best yet and she can’t wait for all the amazing opportunities & fun things we’ll been able to offer here. If you see her in person, say hi! Let’s connect!
Ajamu Bernard
(he/him)
Production Manager
Ajamu Bernard is a Community FItness Activist, a TRX master trainer and author of the Kettlebell Samurai Method. He leads education courses and hosts workshops that use storytelling and movement to share his wisdom. As a strength coach and pilates instructor he integrates bodyweight skills, Kettlebell Samurai Method and Classical Pilates to give a comprehensive mobility and strength improvement experience. Ajamu loves to run, play soccer and compete in Kettlebell Juggling Shows.
DreamWorks Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.