Persis Ann Forster
Persis Ann Forster
Persis Ann Forster is the Executive Director of Dance Theatre of Arlington. She is a graduate of UT Arlington with a BA in Radio/Television, and has been teaching and choreographing for over thirty years at Miss Persis Studio of Performing Arts. She has also been a faculty member at Tarrant County College as an Adjunct Professor in the Drama Department and as faculty and supervisor for College For Kids. A professional singer/dancer, Ms. Forster has performed principal roles at Casa Manana in Ft. Worth , Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City, North Shore Music Theatre outside of Boston, Theatre Arlington and Gown Town Theatre in Arlington . She also served as director/choreographer of the Crazy Horse Saloon Show at Six Flags Over Texas for four years. She teaches for Jazz on Tap on Tour throughout the country each summer and is currently serving as First Vice President on the board of Texas Assn. Teachers of Dancing.
Persis Forster
Persis Forster
Persis Forster established Miss Persis Studio of Dance in Arlington, Texas, in 1954. A graduate of UT Austin with a BFA in Radio/Television, she has a varied background in dance and theatre which includes performaing, directing, choreography and teaching in all levels of dance and musical theatre. As a professional actress, Ms. Forster has appeared in leading principal roles at Casa Manana, Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City, Carousel Dinner Theatre in Ohio, Garland Summer Musicals, Irving Lyric Theatre, Gown Town Theatre and Theatre Arlington. Past honors include the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Citation for Service Award, the Friend of Youth Award, the Women’s Legacy Award for the Arts in Tarrant County, Arlington Business Women’s Distinguished Circle of Success award, and the Distinguished Alumnum Award from UT Arlington. Ms. Forster is past president of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and the UT Arlington Alumni Association and has been a faculty member for many national dance associations. She taught in the UTA Drama Department for over eighteen years and founded the non profit Dance Theatre of Arlington in 1980.
Jackie Troup Miller
Jackie Troup Miller
Jackie Troup Miller started her career in Ponca City, Oklahoma. When she was 13 Bill Robinson encouraged her to pursue a career in California. She worked with film studios and nationally known “big bands” in Hollywood. She studied with many well known dance artists and had concentrated study with Louis DaPron. Performed professionally on the East and West Coast. Ms. Miller taught for DMA, DEA, TATD, Hoctor Dance Caravan, Midwest Dance Association, ODMA, Ruminer’s Dance Camps, Jazz on Tap, and Third Coast Project along with other venues. She has choreographed Musicals, Industrial Shows, Revues and teaches Master Classes on all levels of expertise. Her love for teaching dance has always been a priority.
Amanda Davidson
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Lori Woods Smith
Lori Woods Smith is the head of the Dance Department at Lamar High School in Arlington Texas. When she is not busy sharing her passion of dance with her students, she serves as Vice President for Dance Theatre of Arlington and is currently chairing the 30th Anniversary Celebration. Lori is a former DTA Company member who now choreographs pieces for the Company. During the spring and summer months she tours the country as a judge for Cathy Roe’s Ultimate Dance Competition and serves as a choreographer for The Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts. On stage, she has performed for theme parks, industrial and corporate shows and regional summer stock… some of her favorite roles include Bebe in A Chorus Line, Velma in Chicago, Lorraine in 42nd Street, Charity in Sweet Charity and Janet in Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mrs. Smith has a BFA in Theatre from Texas Wesleyan University.
I AM! Teachers:
Jean Crawford
Todd Hart
Susan Mills-Polster
I AM! Accompanists: Diane Grindstaff, Gera Winchester
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