Mary Robare

Position:

Adjunct Associate Professor, Dance

Pronouns:

She/Her

Location:

Shingleton Hall, Room 30

Email: mrobare@su.edu

Employed Since:

1990

Educational History:

B.A., West Virginia University

Professional Highlights:

Mary Robare is a dance teacher, director, choreographer and former Broadway performer. A graduate of the famed LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City, she performed on Broadway in “Little Me,” “On Your Toes,” “Wind in the Willows” and “Singin’ in the Rain;” in national tours of “A Chorus Line,” “On Your Toes” and “Nunsense” (reprising the role she originated in the first full-length production); in the MGM movie, “Those Lips, Those Eyes;” as a soloist with the Garden State Ballet, and in numerous industrial shows and television commercials. She worked as Randolyn Zinn’s assistant choreographer on Broadway and at the New York City Opera, and served as a dancer, dance captain and assistant to the legendary Agnes de Mille during pre-production of her ballet, “The Informer,” which was premiered by American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Currently teaching ballet and musical theatre dance styles at Shenandoah University, she most recently directed and staged an adaptation of Michael Bennett’s original Broadway production, “A Chorus Line.” Other Shenandoah Conservatory choreography credits include “1776,” “Urinetown,” “Most Happy Fella,’” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “A Chorus Line” (co-directed with Jonathan Flom), “She Loves Me,” “On the Town,” “Good News,” “Pippin,” “The Mikado,” “Take it Easy,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “Playground,” “Children of Eden” and “HMS Pinafore,” and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre productions “Sweet Charity,” “Chicago,” “Gigi,” “Oliver!,” “Damn Yankees,” “110 in the Shade” and “A Chorus Line.”

Since moving to Virginia, Robare has been a dance instructor and performing ensemble director for youth at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy (SCAA). For several years, she also choreographed Handley High School’s show choir program for their renowned Apple Blossom Festival program, and she has choreographed dozens of middle and high school productions.

The recipient of an Outstanding Educator Citation from the Governor’s School of Virginia, she is a popular guest teacher and choreographer. In 2021, Robare directed and staged excerpts from the high school edition of “A Chorus Line” for the Academy at Metropolitan School of the Arts’ summer intensive and she returned this summer to teach excerpts from “Legally Blonde.” She also enjoyed working at the New England Music Camp, teaching and choreographing for their recently launched Musical Theatre College Prep Intensive.

Personal Quote:
I am continuously inspired and refreshed by the talent, discipline and enthusiasm displayed by the students at Shenandoah University!