From Oklahoma to Broadway, OCU Alums Shine in Popular Performances
Gabrielle Ruiz was happy to
trade hours of training and dancing for a grade for a full-time career as a
performing artist after graduating from Oklahoma City University. But now that
she dances on and off Broadway for a living, Ruiz taps into her OCU experiences
daily.
Ruiz, who made her Broadway
debut in “In the Heights,” plays a lead role in in the Goodspeed Opera House’s
“My One and Only” alongside Broadway veteran Tony Yazbeck.
“I haven’t danced like this
since OCU,” the 2007 OCU dance performance graduate says about her role as
Edythe Herbert. While “My One and Only” is traditionally a tap show, Ruiz
learned during the first day of rehearsals the cast would be recreating the ideas
from the original Broadway production. “Now I’m dancing in ballet shoes and
partnering again,” Ruiz said. “It has been such a fun experience. I’m able to
stretch my art form and really dig deep into learning how to lead a show and
work as a unit with my leading man, principles and company.”
When 2010 Oklahoma City
University dance performance graduate Kim Faure moved to New York City, she
found instant success and landed her Broadway debut with “Anything Goes.” A
member of the ensemble since October, Faure said she her training at OCU gave
her the tools to succeed.
“I had absolutely no tap
training before going to OCU and now I’m in THE tap show on Broadway right
now,” Faure notes. “I also learned professionalism, discipline and how to have
the right attitude about auditions and rejection as well as challenges along
the way.”
Faure said her dance and
vocal training at OCU gave her the perfect skill set for “Anything Goes.”
“The cast is the best. The
creative team could not have been better to work with, the music is classic,
the dance numbers are so fun to do and the audience eats it up every show,” she
said.
Others in major productions
include dance alumnus Tyler Foy, who appears in the national tour of “Mary
Poppins;” music alumni Will Mann, who plays a principal role in “Memphis” Off Broadway;
Katie Postotnik, who is cast in the national tour of “Rock of Ages;” Ernie
Pruneda who made his Broadway debut in the ensemble of “Sister Act;” music
theater alumni Ian Gibb, who is current in the national tour of “Les
Miserables” and Shain Fike, who appears in “The Wedding Singer” national tour.
Two of Oklahoma City
University’s best-known graduates, Kelli O’Hara and Kristin Chenoweth, continue
their stardom. O’Hara performed this spring with the New York Pops in Carnegie
Hall and with the New York Philharmonic. She will co-star with Little Richard
in the 2011 national broadcast of “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS. Chenoweth,
continues to do Broadway readings, most recently with Hugh Jackman in “On the
Twentieth Century” and appears in guest spots on the hit show “Glee.”
Ruiz said her time at OCU has
helped her excel in every aspect of her career.
“I really learned the true
meaning of being a professional performer,” she said. “We are not only
performers, but professional, passionate artists who are serious about our
craft and intend on making this our career and life. I believe OCU helped me
mold that craft and state of mind which drives me every day.”
Ruiz said she remembers
watching OCU Dance Department Chairwoman Jo Rowan warmup with a full ballet
barre, even while OCU’s American Spirit Dance Company was travelling, and never
thought she would have the same discipline.
“But now, with a show like
I’m doing, a full ballet barre is essential,” she noted. “I am now inspired by
Jo every time I warm up. She’s always with me and she’s right, it’s totally
worth the warmup – every day.”
