Position: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Dance
Location: Shingleton Hall, Room 30
Phone: (540) 665-5459
Email: mrobare@su.edu
Employed Since: 2014
Educational History:
B.A., West Virginia University
Professional Highlights:
Mary Robare is a dance teacher, 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.
Since moving to Virginia, Robare has been a Dance Instructor and Performing Ensemble Director for youth at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy (SCAA). She choreographs Handley High School’s ninety-member show choir for their Apple Blossom Festival program; has choreographed dozens of middle and high school productions; and she is a popular guest teacher and choreographer around the region.
Currently teaching Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre Styles at Shenandoah University, her choreography has been seen in the conservatory’s following productions: 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 as well as these Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre productions: Sweet Charity, Chicago, Gigi, Oliver!, Damn Yankees, 110 in the Shade and A Chorus Line.
One of several musicals she choreographed at Mercersburg Academy was Urinetown, which won Totem Pole Playhouse’s 2015 Outstanding Musical Production Number award. She is a recipient of an Outstanding Educator Citation from the Governor’s School of Virginia and an Artie Award from the Shenandoah Arts Council.
Personal Quote:I am continuously inspired and refreshed by the level of talent, discipline and enthusiasm displayed by the students at Shenandoah University!
Recommended Link(s):
www.maryrobare.com