Podcast appearances and mentions of rachelle rak

On this episode I talked with Lizzy about her journey as a performer — from falling in love with musical theatre as a kid watching The Wizard of Oz and Smash, to her first big role as Gabriella in High School Musical, to finding her artistic voice at Texas State University with the guidance of incredible mentors. We talked about her first professional experience in Rent in New Orleans, the challenges and growth that came from it, and her exciting Broadway debut in Boop the Musical! Lizzy shares what it was like going through the Boop audition process, including an intense dance call with Rachelle Rak, how she learned the whole show in just a week, and what it means to her to be in the ensemble and understudy both Betty and Trisha. She also talks about the joy of working with legends like Jerry Mitchell, the importance of bringing her own voice to her work, the power of storytelling, and so much more! 

And she's BACK!  We are so excited for the return of the one and only, Rachelle Rak.  In this episode we talk about her new venture in theater, dance conventions, her fabulous song and all things Sass!  Thank you for making time for us Rachelle and we couldn't be happier for you!Jam Fam, we hope you enjoy our follow up episode with Broadway veteran, Rachelle Rak!This episode is proudly sponsored by The Leap Program.  For more information go to:https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/liberal-arts/leapThank you for listening Jam Fam! Make sure you follow us across social media and don't forget to like and subscribe anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts!Facebook: JAM Joe and Michelle's Dance PodcastInstagram: jam_dance_podcastTwitter: @jamdancepodcastEmail: jamdancepodcast@gmail.com

“In a 30 second span, two of the most iconic Dance Moms moments happen back to back,” Christi exclaims as "She's a Maniac" has those and more iconic moments to spare. To mark the occasion (and to celebrate one of her few episodes where she doesn't suffer) the Bitches welcome Paige Hyland to the Barre! Abby brings in Broadway dancer Rachelle Rak to choreograph the Golddigga group number. It's a not too subtle jab at Melissa, who was just secretly married, but it sure is fun to have to explain what a Gold Digger is to the kids! Perhaps more pressing is whether Abby will be able to square away her desire for control with Rak's non-Maddie centric choreography.Quotes“For us telling our points of view like on this behind the scenes thing, the kids version is totally different. Cause you guys were in the dance room and we didn't know what was going on a lot of the time but you guys didn't really know what was going on upstairs.” (12:09-12:24 | Kelly)“We all have come to learn that the Pyramid means nothing. Not based on any kind of fact or any kind of real information. Just kind of based on your last name, maybe.” (23:50-24:01 | Christi and Kelly)“It's a cellophane wrap party…and we're wrapping each other…in literal cellophane. I figure I should go put one of them on. Kelly! Maybe I'll wear one of those this weekend on my face. I don't think they work. Well they got to do something! Well it's probably old and expired, it's 12 years old at this point. Don't you think the plant extracts might have dried up?! Maybe.” (56:43-57:10 | Christi and Kelly)“I am shocked that no producer picked that up and said, we're going to incorporate this [Giant Doll Man] into a dance. Girls, this is Bob Fosse, he's sitting on the edge of the stage, now dance for Fosse. Flirt with him, dig his gold.” (1:07:22-1:07:37 | Christi)LinksSubscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50aSBAYXH_9yU2YkKyXZ0w Subscribe to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/backtothebarreThank you to Ashley Jana for allowing us to use Electricity!! Follow her on IG HERE: https://instagram.com/ashleyjanamusic?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Download Electricity HERE: https://music.apple.com/us/album/electricity/1497482509?i=1497482510Follow Christi on IG: www.instagram.com/christilukasiakFollow Kelly on IG: www.instagram.com/kellylhylandFollow Jill on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jillvertesFollow Paige on IG: https://www.instagram.com/paigehyland1Follow Paige on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paigehyland_3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The one and only Rachelle Rak AKA “Sass” joins Leave It On The Dance Floor to talk all things Dance Moms & Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition! She also takes us through her incredible career on & off Broadway, everything we can expect from her upcoming show “Boop” and working with legends like Mr. Bob Fosse - No one better to guest choreograph for the ALDC's first Fosse inspired routine performed on Dance Moms! Are you ready to hear the tea behind “Gold Digga?!”  Join us each week as we rewatch and recap your favorite moments/episodes of Dance Moms, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition and Abby's Studio Rescue spilling behind the scenes secrets, exclusive never-before-seen content and more! BOOP THE MUSICAL!  www.boopthemusical.com Learn more about Chef Bruno Serato's Caterina's Club & help feed a family of 4 with a donation of just $5! www.caterinasclub.org Abby Lee Apparel: *Use Code: ALDCELITE* for 15% OFF your first order today! www.abbyleedancecompany.com FOLLOW RACHELLE: INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/rachellerak www.rachellerak.com CONNECT WITH ABBY LEE: WEEKLY ZOOM CLASSES, APPAREL & MORE: https://linktr.ee/Therealabbylee PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/THEREALABBYLEE CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/therealabbylee INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealabbylee FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAbbyLeeMiller/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/abby_lee_miller TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@aldctherealabbylee?source=h5_m This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first episode in the Mind, Body and Soul series features Anna Meighan!Anna is a licensed professional counselor in the state of PA and a recreational and competitive tap dance teacher at Donna's school of dance in Murrysville PA. She grew up dancing competitively at Rosalene Kenneth Professional School of dance, under direction of Rosalene Kenneth, Donna Denmark (deemark), Rachelle Rak, and Samantha Macklin. Anna is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, and lyrical.Anna received her BA in psychology from Washington and Jefferson College and her MS in counseling psychology from Chatham University. Her professional direction has led her to work with children and adolescents in therapeutic care. She is currently employed by a non profit agency to provide mental health services within school districts, easing the access of care for children K-12 with concerns related to anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-harm, suicidal thinking, identity exploration, LGBTQIA+, family conflict/dynamics, stress management, and mood liability. Anna is a trauma informed provider and brings this mindset with her into the dance studio, using a strengths-based, person-first mindset and language with the students in her dance classes.Thank you for listening to our first episode in the Mind, Body and Soul series!*The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

New Year, New Me. Just kidding. I'm not changing a goddamn thing. And neither are we. That's why we are thrilled to release our final episode of Season 1 of ‘Patten Disregard': The Roast of Broadway - LIVE! Recorded in front of a live audience and band, this episode features musical performances by Marc Shaiman, Rachelle Rak, Angie Schworer, and Ashley Blanchet. We also hear from our resident therapist, Lisa Gajda.

Listeners, we hope you are ready for the Rak Attack!Nicknamed “Sas”, Rachelle Rak began her dance training at the age of 2 under the direction of her mother, Rosalene, at the Rosalene Kenneth Professional Dance Studio in Pittsburgh. She is labeled a Triple Threat on Broadway for her immeasurable talent in dance, singing, and acting. Rachelle was presented with an award by Dance Educators of America for her contribution to the world of dance. She has had a huge impact on the Broadway Community.   Broadway Credits: Fosse, Catch Me If You Can, The Look of Love, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma!, and Cats1st National Tours: Flashdance, Starlight Express, Smokey Joe's CaféRegional Theater: A Chorus Line, Chicago, Sweet Charity, The Jack Cole Project, JosephOff Broadway: Sessions The Musical, An Evening at the CarlyleFilm/Television: Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, Dance Moms, Every Little Step: A Making of a Chorus Line, Another World, All My ChildrenChoreography Credits Include:Norwegian Cruise Lines , Off Broadway: "An Evening at the Carlyle” and "Sessions”-Additional Choreography, Lifetime: “Dance Moms”,  Fringe Festive “Vote the Musical” Benefits: “Broadway Bares”, Concerts: Staging for Cheyenne Jackson-Carnegie Hall. Her One woman show “I'm In” Le Poisson Rouge, Nightclub shows “The Love Fest”, “Splash Around The World”, “VaVoom,”and web series on Broadway.com” I Love Rak n Roll”.She has performed in countless concerts and productions at New York City's Town Hall, and has been a crowd favorite time and again in many “Encores” performances at City Center. Her talent doesn't cease at the stage. She can be found on screen in commercials for Ebay, she played a reoccurring role on the soap opera series “Another World” and was featured in the documentary "Every Little Step" (The Making of “A Chorus Line”).  She was a guest on Dance Moms and is a featured judge on "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" on Lifetime.Television Performances include: Jay Leno, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The Better You, Regis and Kathie Lee, and Late Night with David Letterman., Dance Moms, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition. She was the spokesperson for Pittsburgh Brewing Co's IC Light, and had the honor of singing the National Anthem at a New York Mets Playoff game and at an Orlando Magic Basketball Game.She co-wrote her CD RAK/SAS with Martyn Axe. Her songs are available on iTunes. She is revered as one of Broadway's most talented performers. Follow her on Twitter at @rachelleraksas.You will love everything about this episode!  The fun, the stories, the energy!  Let us know what you thinkFollow us on Instagram: @jam_dance_podcastFollow us on Facebook: JAM Joe and Michelle's Dance Podcast 

We are in the presence of musical theatre royalty this week! We are joined by the legendary Baayork Lee. You Might Know Her From A Chorus Line; Promises, Promises; Jesus Christ Superstar; The King & I; Flower Drum Song; and Every Little Step. We are just mouth agape at Baayork’s stories from the theatre, from finding the line between herself and the character of Connie Wong that her life inspired to her simpatico mentorship with Michael Bennett to growing up as a Broadway kid to the neck-ography in Promises, Promises. We were just head over heels for Baayork. Check out the show notes to see this icon in action. You won’t regret it!  Follow us on social media: @damianbellino || @rodemanne  Rash of recent celebrity deaths: Phil Spector, Dustin Diamond, Cicely Tyson, Cloris Leachman, Christopher Plummer (and on Tuesday, after we had recorded: Mary Wilson)  Christopher Plummer tried to do his own singing in The Sound of Music. Hated the movie, loved Julie Andrews.  Natalie Wood didn’t think she was going to be dubbed for West Side Story movie (here she is singing in her real voice as Maria) Diahann Caroll died before we could talk to her Bob Avian co-choreographer of original production, director of Broadway revival  Baayork Lee’s IBDB (most famous as Connie Wong) BAAYORK CLIPS to watch:  “The Clog Dance” from Joyful Noise (Tommy Tune and Baayork who is on far left) “Poor Little Person” from Henry Sweet Henry with Alice Playten “Turkey Lurkey Time” from Promises, Promises some of toughest choreo of all time Groomed by Michael Bennett as dance captain and assistant choreographer  “Confidence” was a cut song from A Chorus Line for Richie (Black man) and Connie (Asian woman). The tapes that made A Chorus Line Every Little Step, 2009 documentary (first time Equity allowed cameras in the audition room) Bennett fought for Paul’s coming out storyline Baayork worked with Bennett on See Saw and Henry, Sweet Henry which were both flops Role of Sheila was between former guest, Deidre Goodwin and Rachelle Rak  Full Deidre Goodwin episode of YMKHF  Ryan Murphy turning A Chorus Line into 10 ep series for Netflix  A Chorus Line movie with Michael Douglas notorious flop Danced for other legends like Michael Kidd and Peter Gennarro Michael Bennett was protege of Jerome Robbins Was in original Broadway production of The King and I with Yul Brenner and Gertrude Lawrence Then cast in Flower Drum Song when she was 12. Once had to go on for Anita Ellis to do “Fan Tan Fannie” (vid is from film)  White contract vs pink contract  Dorothy Sarnoff took her to dinner at Sardi’s between shows Mr President (1962: Irving Berlin), Here’s Love (1963: Meredith Willson, directed by Norman Jewison), Golden Boy (1964: Charles Strouse, with Sammy Davis Jr) “Don’t Forget 127th Street” from Golden Boy w/ Sammy Davis Jr (asst choreographer: Jamie Rogers) Honored with a Tony for creating NAAP Not involved with the Anna Mae Wong movie on IMDB (care of Malan Breton) Backed up Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, which was shot in Israel with Jewison Was directing A Chorus Line with Antonio Banderas in Malaga Spain when COVID hit Triple threat in American theatre: Tony Yazbeck, Robbie Fairchild, Sutton Foster, Robyn Hurder Cassie boot camp for A Chorus Line Who would Baayork call if she dropped her phone in the subway: Donna McKechnie, Kelly Bishop, Priscilla Lopez Worked with our fave, Pat Suzuki in Flower Drum Song Need Sardi’s to stay open (Actor’s Menu) Baayork was in Promises, Promises - Mary Louise Wilson was a replacement cast member in that same production -- she was in the 2001 revival of The Women with next week’s guest.  Heather Matarazzo told us that she took over the role of Jane once Bob Durst’s niece was fired from the 2001 revival of The Women (listen to the full Heather interview here)  Al Pacino playing Phil Spector in the HBO movie: Phil Spector  

Broadway's Backbone EP. 90 Guest:Rachelle Rak Broadway’s Backbone is a podcast dedicated to the men and woman of the ensemble: The chorus of dancers, singers, and actors that are the foundation of every Broadway musical. These often-unsung gypsies are the hardest working people on the boards and are Broadways backbone. #Broadwaysbackbone #Brad2ley #Broadwayworld #Broadwaypodcasts

Little Me host and Broadway Workshop director, Marc Tumminelli catches up with Broadway legend, Rachelle Rak in episode 25 of Little Me: Growing Up Broadway. Rachelle tells her story of growing up in Pittsburgh, PA and dancing every day at her mothers dance studio before leaving high school to perform in the Broadway National Tour of CATS! Rachelle tells us the backstage story of being on tour while still being a high school student and her incredible career on tour in Starlight Express and Smokey Joe's Cafe and on Broadway in Cats, Fosse, Catch Me If You Can, The Look of Love, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thou Shalt Not and Oklahoma! Rachelle tells the most wild, hilarious, and honest Broadway stories of working with Gwen Verdon, Ann Ranking, Ben Vereen, Nobert Leo Butz, Susan Stroman, her new musical, falling in Look Of Love, making the decision to be part of Thou Shalt Not, Touring in Europe, working on Dance Moms, her new fitness show on Broadway On Demand, creating Ignite Dance Live, filming Every Little Step, teaching at Broadway Workshop, performing at the TONY Awards, how she got the nickname SAS and so much more! Produced by The Broadway Podcast Network ignitedancelive.com rachellerak.com BroadwayonDemand.com BroadwayWorkshop.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I chat with my longtime (and awesomely talented) friend, Rachelle Rak, or as she's known to countless friends and fans, “Sas.” A quick run-down of her lengthy resume includes her many Broadway Credits: Fosse, Catch Me If You Can, The Look of Love, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma!, and CATS. Numerous TV appearances including Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition and Dance Moms on Lifetime TV, and you'll remember her from the Broadway documentary Every Little Step: The Making of A Chorus Line. There are two aspects to this chat: Two friends catching up on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected life, but also how the coronavirus crisis doesn't have to slow us down. There are two aspect to this chat: Two friends catching up on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected life, but also how the coronavirus crisis doesn't have to slow us down. In addition to starting her own dance conventions, Ignite Dance Live (www.ignitedancelive.com) which have now gone virtual, she's also starring in a new fitness series for Broadway On Demand called “Sas and Shred” (www.get.broadwayaccess.com) that she conceived and filmed in lockdown. She's started offering her own master classes (www.SasStorm.com) where studios around the country can book her one on one for their students. Oh, and she's written a musical that she's workshopped with 15 veteran female Broadway performers. Oh, and she's going to college at almost 50. COVID is clearly not slowing Sas down. My favorite Sas-ism: "Stop worrying about how to do it better. DO it better." Follow Rachelle Rak on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/rachelle.rak

In this episode I chat with my longtime (and awesomely talented) friend, Rachelle Rak, or as she's known to countless friends and fans, “Sas.” A quick run-down of her lengthy resume includes her many Broadway Credits: Fosse, Catch Me If You Can, The Look of Love, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma!, and CATS. Numerous TV appearances including Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition and Dance Moms on Lifetime TV, and you'll remember her from the Broadway documentary Every Little Step: The Making of A Chorus Line. There are two aspects to this chat: Two friends catching up on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected life, but also how the coronavirus crisis doesn't have to slow us down. There are two aspect to this chat: Two friends catching up on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected life, but also how the coronavirus crisis doesn't have to slow us down. In addition to starting her own dance conventions, Ignite Dance Live (www.ignitedancelive.com) which have now gone virtual, she's also starring in a new fitness series for Broadway On Demand called “Sas and Shred” (www.get.broadwayaccess.com) that she conceived and filmed in lockdown. She's started offering her own master classes (www.SasStorm.com) where studios around the country can book her one on one for their students. Oh, and she's written a musical that she's workshopped with 15 veteran female Broadway performers. Oh, and she's going to college at almost 50. COVID is clearly not slowing Sas down. My favorite Sas-ism: "Stop worrying about how to do it better. DO it better." Follow Rachelle Rak on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/rachelle.rak

Yes, your job as a dancer is to perform, but to get there, the first step is to attend an audition. Your audition is what constitutes whether or not you get work. Essentially part of your job is that audition. On this episode, with our guests Liz Picini and Elle-May Patterson, we talk about what happens during an audition. How early do you get to an audition? How do I prepare for an audition? What's going to make me  stand out? How do I deal with the pressure of an audition and still show them I'm an awesome dancer? We touch on all these questions in this episode of Auditions: Part 2 of Beyond the Mirror.  More About Our Speakers... Lizz Picini moved to New York City just one week after graduating from Towson University with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. After completing the Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester she began actively training and working at Broadway Dance Center while assisting various choreographers. She now has the privilege of teaching at Broadway Dance Center. She is represented by Clear Talent Group in New York City and is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. Lizz is thrilled to be playing the Girl-in- the-Green- Dress/Dance Captain/Associate Choreographer at The Wick Theatre’s upcoming production of Singin’ in the Rain. Additionally, some of Lizz’s favorite past roles include Tess in Crazy For You, Gertie Cummings/Dance Captain inOklahoma! and Dawn/Dance Captain in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, all at Merry-Go- Round Playhouse. Lizz also served as the Associate Choreographer, while playing the role of Ruth, in Ogunquit Playhouse’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Other performing credits include Disney’s world premiere musical When You Wish at Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Beauty and the Beast and Sister Actalso at Tuacahn Amphitheatre, On The Town at Merry-Go- Round Playhouse, and West Side Story at Ogunquit Playhouse. On the creative side, Lizz served as Associate Choreographer to Richard J. Hinds at Merry-Go- Round Playhouse’s 2017 season opener, Guys and Dolls, as well as Assistant Choreographer to Molly Smith (Dir.) and Parker Esse (Chor.) at Glimmerglass Opera House’s season opener, Oklahoma! Elle-May was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. She then went on to complete a BA (Hons) degree for Musical Theatre at Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore. For the last two years, Elle May has been living and working in New York City. Recent credits include Cabaret, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Elton John’s ‘Life Ball’ in Vienna, Austria, The MTV Video Music Awards, and a dancer with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. She was recently the Assistant Choreographer to the renowned duo ‘The Squared Division’ for the first season of Asia’s Got Talent, and filmed Rachelle Rak’s new pilot series ‘The Collaborators’ in New York. Additionally, she played "Kylie" in the AFI Award winning film "The Black Balloon" and has appeared in several television commercials.

Rachelle Rak, of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, joins Candi & Randy to talk about how she became the newest judge on the Lifetime hit TV series. Rachelle discusses what she looks for in a dance performance, taking risks and more. So, "bite the apple" and "cha-cha-pus" to the Candi & Randy Show for some serious "sas" with Broadway's Rachelle Rak.

Rachelle Rak, of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, joins Candi & Randy to talk about how she booked the gig as the newest judge on the Lifetime hit TV series. Rachelle discusses what she looks for in a dance performance, taking risks and more. Plus, she chats on her latest theater project in NYC: the off-Broadway project The Big Show which made it's debut last month. So, "bite the apple" and "cha-cha-pus" to the Candi & Randy Show for some serious "sas" with Broadway's Rachelle Rak.

AFTERBUZZ TV – Dance Moms edition, is a weekly “after show” for fans of Lifetime's Dance Moms. In this show, host Jason Carter breaks down the episodes in which the girls struggle with Kelly is upset when Abby pulls Brooke from this week's competition; Abby invites Broadway star Rachelle Rak to choreograph a group number. There to help Jason are co-hosts Starr Session and Tony Moore. Also joining the convo is special guest Ricky Jackson. It's Dance Moms's “She's a Maniac” podcast! Follow us on http://www.Twitter.com/AfterBuzzTV "Like" Us on http://www.Facebook.com/AfterBuzzTV For more of your post-game wrap up shows for your favorite TV shows, visit http://www.AfterBuzzTV.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AFTERBUZZ TV – Dance Moms edition, is a weekly “after show” for fans of Lifetime’s Dance Moms. In this show, host Jason Carter breaks down the episodes in which the girls struggle with Kelly is upset when Abby pulls Brooke from this week's competition; Abby invites Broadway star Rachelle Rak to choreograph a group number. There to help Jason are co-hosts Starr Session and Tony Moore. Also joining the convo is special guest Ricky Jackson. It’s Dance Moms’s “She's a Maniac” podcast! Follow us on http://www.Twitter.com/AfterBuzzTV "Like" Us on http://www.Facebook.com/AfterBuzzTV For more of your post-game wrap up shows for your favorite TV shows, visit http://www.AfterBuzzTV.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Rachelle Rak has been labeled as a Triple Threat on Broadway for her immeasurable talent in dance, singing, and acting. Currently appearing in the role of "Sheila" in A Chorus Line at Paper Mill Playhouse, Rachelle joins Candi & Randy to talk about her theatrical journey - not only with A Chorus Line, famously documented in the film "Every Little Step," but her thoughts on a successful career on Broadway. Nicknamed "Sas," a few of her impressive NYC credits include leading roles in: Catch Me If You Can, Cats, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Fosse, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma!, The Look of Love, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sessions, and An Evening at the Carlyle. She has performed in countless concerts and productions at New York City’s Town Hall, and has been a crowd favorite time and again in many Encores Productions and Broadway Bares. For more information on Rachelle, go to www.rachellerak.com