Lainie Sakakura - Artistic Director
As a performer, Lainie was in the original Broadway companies of:
Chita Rivera - The Dancer's Life, Fosse, Flower Drum Song (revival),
The King and I (starring Lou Diamond Phillips) and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public
(Dir. Tommy Tune). She helped bring the show Fosse to Broadway credited for Dance Reconstruction,
setting over 60 of Bob Fosse's dance pieces in the process, as well as being the Dance Captain in charge
of maintaining the integrity of the show. She has worked on several Broadway shows in many capacities,
from holding auditions for Broadway replacements and 1st National Tour of Fosse, 1st National Tour of The King and I
(NY and LA auditions), submitting actors for the lead of Saturday Night Fever or working on pre-production for the
Broadway production of Into The Woods. In New York, Lainie had the honor of being asked by ASCAP to re-create Big
Spender for composer, Cy Coleman’s memorial at the Majestic Theatre starring Ann Reinking & Chita Rivera. Other
memorable NYC moments was dancing in the most famous kick line in the world, the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes
and Associate Choreographer for 2 time Tony nominated choreographer, John Carrafa for Pajama Game at City Center.
Lainie started out as a classical concert dancer training 8 years with the San Francisco Ballet before joining Ballet
Hispanico of NY at 18 years old. As a choreographer, she has received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best
Choreography - Damn Yankees and a nomination for Hot Mikado, both at the Marriott Theatre in Chicago. For her work
on the Allen Knee play, Syncopation, the New York Times claims "sheer movement provides it's dramatic momentum...
defining metaphor". Choreographer for Jimmy Buffett's concert tour and Director and/or Choreographer for 3 of The
ATrain Plays at the Jay Sharp Theatre and Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC. Lainie has taught all over the country
including the Joffrey Ballet School, Steps NYC, Broadway Dance Center, NJ Ballet , University of the Arts and
Lines Ballet's San Francisco Dance Center. Lainie is passionate about art education for children and initiated the
Broadway Gives-Back Fund in NY helping 300 disadvantaged kids and struggling up-and-coming performers to see the
Broadway show Chita Rivera-The Dancer's Life. Lainie is a proud member of SSDC, AEA, AFTRA, AGVA .
Alex Sanchez - Artistic Director
A native Chicagoan, he trained on scholarship at Lou Conte Dance Studio, School of Chicago City Ballet and the Ruth
Page Foundation. Mr. Sanchez was a member of Ballet Chicago under the directorship of Dan Duell. He also performed
with Ruth Page Ballet, Festival Ballet, Southern Ballet Theater, Chicago Rep Dance Ensemble and Gus Giordano Jazz
Dance Ensemble. On Broadway, Mr. Sanchez was in the original companies of The Red Shoes, Carousel( Lincoln Center
Revival), Big The Musical, Follies( Roundabout Revival), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Fosse, for which he performed in the
original Steam Heat Trio and most recently, Chita Rivera The Dancers Life. Other Broadway shows include Terrence
McNally’s Love! Valor! Compassion!, Once Upon A Mattress and Wonderful Town. Mr. Sanchez has choreographed
productions of Cinderella, Guys and Dolls and the play Mambo Mouth( Penguin Rep Theater). He has been an Associate
Choreographer for Carousel and The Hot Mikado at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theater as well as Carousel for the Chicago
Opera Theater. He was an Assistant Choreographer for the 2003 Dance Break at the Duke Studios in New York City as
well as Barry Manillow’s Concert at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and most recently for the musical Carnival at the
Papermill Playhouse in Millburn. He served as Dance Captain of Wonderful Town on Broadway as well as the pre
Broadway workshop of Harmony. As a teacher Mr. Sanchez has taught ballet and jazz from Hawaii to Atlantic City. He has
given lectures and has taught Dance Theater workshops for Broadway on Broadway in New York City and was featured on
The Jane Pauley Show for his work with the kids and the program. Mr. Sanchez was a staff member of the New Jersey
Ballet School and guest teacher with Jacobs Pillow Jazz Program. Recently premiered his new ballet Mambo Mio with the
Savage Jazz Dance Company, receiving wonderful reviews from the SF Chronicle and Oakland Tribune. Local
choreography include: Westside Story & 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Woodminster Amphitheater in Oakland, Wonderful Town,
Neighborhood Church. Mr. Sanchez heads the theatre department at Oakland School of the Arts. Proud member of Actors’
Equity Association, AFTRA, AGMA.
Sharon Kitchen - Tap, Combo & Special Needs
Sharon Kitchen has been a professional dancer with the Duane Dancers and a
member of the Duane Dance Academy since 1977. She is happy to be continuing her
teaching career with Dance Theatre Arts. Ms. Kitchen specializes in young children
from age 3 as well as children with special needs. She teaches advanced rhythm tap,
combination tap & ballet classes for beginners and toddler creative dance class. She
brings the best out of young people, teaching them to give the best of themselves at all
times, no matter what they are doing. Ms. Kitchen has choreographed for the SF World
Trade Club, SF Olympic Club and local pageants for the Miss America Program.
Alice Rhodes - Jazz, Tap, Combo Jazz/Tap
Protegee of the Duane Dance Academy under the direction of Coralene Kerr. Alice has
an extensive professional career as a Duane Dancer, performing all over the country
including Las Vegas, Canada & Disneyland. Her love for family and teaching children
kept her at the Duane Dance Academy for 30 years. Ms. Rhodes is happy to be staying
on with Dance Theatre Arts specializing in jazz dance. Her students have performed
four consecutive years at the Miss California Pageant and eight years at the
prestigious Olympic Club in San Francisco. Ms. Rhodes choreographs for children
choirs, musicals and local churches. Her teaching focus is on good technique, discipline
and developing showmanship in all her students. Most of all, she still loves to dance.
Dance Theatre Arts of Hayward
About Us
About Us
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