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SELECT REVIEWS

 

    These are the pure hallelujah moments………..Jefff Shade creates rousing 

    routines in Cagney’s idiosyncratic dance style.

        Bill Hirschman, VARIETY

 

    Director Bill Castellino and choreographer Jef Shade keep CAGNEY moving……

    entertaining the audience with musical numbers that move, amuse, or 

    dazzle them……….the audience goes crazy for the show.

        Christine Dolen, MIAMI HERALD

 

    Choreographer Jeff Shade packs a lot of big dance numbers onto the Florida

    Stage’s intimate performance space.  The standout numbers are McGovern’s

    “Warner at Work”, and its second act twin, “Cagney at Work”, in which the

    ensemble portray screenwriters churning out new scripts.  The actors are seated

    on stage, and tap dance the click clack of typewriter keys while describing the

    movie plots.  Both numbers are a marvel of precision, and act as a perfect

    illustration of the 1930s and 1940s Hollywood studio system.  A medley of

    George M.  Cohan songs from Yankee Doodle Dandy is a showstopper, as is a 

    complicated tap number between Creighton and Joel Newsome, who plays Bob

    Hope.  It’s impossible not to smile when these two are tap dancing.

        Mary Damian, MIAMI ARTZINE

 

    ……………….deft choreography and direction by Jeff Shade…………..

        Ed Blank, PITTSBURGH PRESS

 

    Over the past three weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to witness seven distinct

    contributions to the NEW YORK MUSICAL FESTIVAL - and the best time I had

    out of all of them was at PLATFORMS.  Commissioned by the festival’s                 organizers, five choreographers (Linda Goodrich, Jeff Shade, Ron DeJesus, Matt

    Williams and Nick Kenkel) collaborated with twelve dancers to create a riveting

    dance pastiche that reflects the creative chaos of living in New York City.

        NEWYORKTHEATEAR.COM

 

    ………Shade hasn’t given himself a series of bravura set pieces, but integrated

    every step and every pause and every movement into a flowing whole……..

        Larry Stark, THE THEATER MIRROR

 

    An A for Astonishing.

        Christopher Rawson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

    Everyone on the Byham stage knows why he or she is there, and appear happy

    to be there……Directed and with inventive choreography by Jeff Shade.

        David Sallinger, Daily News of McKeesport

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ELECT QUOTES

 

    The students love Jeff’s commitment and passion for what he does.  He is

    always enthusiastic and caring about each student.  Jeff is a dynamic

    individual who has a distinguished reputation in the dance community both

    nationally and internationally.  He is inspiring, caring, and a brilliant teacher.

        Elizabeth Bergman, former Director of Dance, Harvard University

 

    His classes are athletic and technically demanding, yet Mr. Shade’s experience

    as a dance therapist makes his approach to training dancers one designed to

    build self-esteem - - rather than belittle students.  I believe Mr. Shade’s

    approach to dance education is one that allows students to grow as technicians

    and performers.

        Kim Hale, Movement Talent Agency

 

    We know that he will offer superior, innovative training and commitment

    wherever he goes.  He is an impressive teacher, and innovative director and 

    choreographer, and a wonderful colleague.

        Neil Donahoe, Director of the Theater Division - - Boston Conservatory

 

    Jeff has spearheaded our Musical Theater dance classes here at Montclair

    State University and has built a strong following of students who are eager to

    work under his guidance.  He is a very demanding teacher of musical theater

    dance, and I am amazed at the results of his work.  Our students have made

    incredible progress over the years and are easily getting cast on Broadway, 

    national tours, major regional theaters, and cruise lines because of their high

    level of audition technique and ability to pick up combinations quickly.  His 

    students respect him for how he conducts class.  They admire him for what he

    has accomplished in his career.  In turn, he offers students quality and

    practicality.  Jeff, as well as his teaching, is methodical and organized.  While he

    is demanding, he is aware of and nurtures the individual student who may have

    problems or lacks the background for the advanced class work.  Students know

    where they stand from session to session as to what is expected and what was

    achieved.

        Clay James, Director of the Theater Division, Montclair State University

 

    Brilliant classes!

        Tome’ Cousin

        Associate Professor, Dance, School of Drama

        Carnegie Mellon University

 

RELATED DANCE WORK

 

    HOUSE OF THE ROSES - founder and former director.  A Bronx and Harlem

    dance-based outreach network, serving  hundreds of young people struggling

    with violence, poverty, homelessness, and potential incarceration.  Trained and

    supervised teachers in self-esteem and self-confidence approaches to working

    with dance and young people.

 

    MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY SUMMER CAMP - director of self-esteem and

    self-confidence dance program for marginalized children in the Bronx.  Trained

    and supervised volunteers.

 

    SAFE SPACE FOR HOMELESS YOUTH - dance therapist and outreach worker.

    Designed and supervised creative arts activities for homeless youth.

 

    NORTH GENERAL HOSPITAL - dance therapist with people diagnosed with

    severe mental illness.

 

    GREENWICH VILLAGE YOUTH COUNCIL - outreach supervisor to formerly

    homeless youth.  Supervised and participated in direct outreach services

    to those living on the streets.

 

 

//Marymount Manhattan College

Montclair State University

Point Park University

Harvard University

Todoroff Acting Conservatory

Boston Conserrvatory

Broadway Classroom

Syracuse University

Stephens College

University of the Arts

Joffrey Summer Dance Intensive

Broadway Theater Project

STEPS on Broadway

Broadway Dance Center

North Carolina Dance Theater Washington Ballet
Syracuse University
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Academy

Pittsburgh Musical Theater

Boston Ballet
Benedum Center of Pittsburgh

Dance Educaftors of America
Dance Masters of America
Dance Olympus

Numerous dance studios nationwide!
 

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