Steven Vincent (choreographer) explained

Steven Vincent
Birth Name:Stephen Vincent DiGiorgio Jr.
Birth Place:Schenectady, New York
Nationality:American
Education:Adelphi University
Occupation:Choreographer
Dancer
Teacher
Partner:Roye (Baba) Schell
Parents:Emma DiGiorgio
Stephen DiGiorgio

Steven Vincent (born Stephen Vincent DiGiorgio Jr.) is an American choreographer, dancer, teacher and entertainer. He is best known for his role in the 1969 Broadway play, George M! with Mickey Rooney and as a recurring choreographer at the Players Theater in Sarasota, Florida.[1] [2] [3]

Early life and education

He was born in Schenectady, New York to Emma and Stephen DiGiorgio.[4] He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1968, where he directed and choreographed an interpretive montage of Broadway shows called, Right Footed Left Overs II.[5] [6] He graduated from Adelphi University, majoring in dance and minoring in dramatic arts.[7]

Career

In 1969, Vincent was cast as part of the dance ensemble in the traveling musical George M!. The musical starred Mickey Rooney and lasted for two years. In December 1971, he opened the play Wild and Wonderful alongside Ann Reinking as part of the original Broadway cast.[8] The show is best known for opening and closing at the Lyceum Theater on the same night.[9] [10] In the early 1970s, Vincent became the Social Director at the Adler Hotel of Sharon Springs, New York. In 1973, he partnered on a purchase of the Bronx House in Sharon Springs, New York. He lived there with his life-partner, artist of Mazey & Schell Inc.[11] and three children.

In 1987, Vincent relocated to Sarasota, Florida. He opened Steven Vincent's The Dance Studio in 1989.[12] He also founded Movement Magic, an in-home exercise program for senior citizens of the Tampa Bay area. In October 1996, The Dance Studio merged with The Players Performing Art School to begin a three discipline school of the arts for the Sarasota community.[13]

Notable students

He taught dance and voice to Ashley Rose Orr, who played Gretl in Broadway's The Sound of Music at age 6.[14] He also directed Shanley Caswell as a Players Kid. Vincent directed Teresa Stanley, cast member of Broadway's Rock of Ages, in the community theater production of Pippin.[15]

Notable productions

In 2007, Vincent received criticism over his direction of The Players Theater production of 42nd Street.[16]

Personal life

Vincent's life partner Roye (Baba) Schell died in November 2011.[17] He lives in Sarasota with his family. His mother, Emma, is 103 years old.[18]

Notes and References

  1. News: Sarasota dancer was inspired by a legend . Sarasota Herald-Tribune . 7 April 2014 . 25 December 2014 . Jay Handelman .
  2. Web site: Credits for George M! (Music Fair Circuit Production, 1969) . Ovrtur . 25 December 2014 .
  3. Book: George M!. (Book, 1969) . Mickey Rooney . William McDonald . Wakefield Poole . Milton Setzer . George M Cohan . 428926735 . 25 December 2014 .
  4. News: DiGiorgio . Schenectady Gazette . 4 March 1981 .
  5. Web site: 1968 Mt. Pleasant High School Yearbook . Mt. Pleasant High School . 25 December 2014 . 56 . 1968.
  6. Web site: 1968 Mt. Pleasant High School Yearbook . Mt. Pleasant High School . 25 December 2014 . 108 . 1968.
  7. Web site: Faculty: Steven Vincent . The Players . 25 December 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141227211328/http://theplayers.org/index.php/performing-arts-studio/faculty . 27 December 2014 .
  8. Book: Broadway Musicals, 1943-2004 . 25 December 2014 . John Stewart. 22 November 2012 . 9781476603292 .
  9. Inside the Playbill: Wild and Wonderful - Opening Night at Lyceum Theatre . Playbill Vault . 25 December 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225030909/http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/Whos_who/7135/27270/Wild-and-Wonderful . 25 December 2014 .
  10. Web site: Wild and Wonderful . Internet Broadway Database . 25 December 2014 .
  11. Web site: Mazey & Schell Inc. . NY Companies Index . 25 December 2014 .
  12. News: Arts in Sarasota . Sarasota Magazine . 1 December 1994 .
  13. News: School merger offers dance and acting . Sarasota Herald-Tribune . Marjorie North . 14 October 1996.
  14. Web site: Biography . Ashleyroseorr.com . 25 December 2014.
  15. News: On Broadway: Teresa Stanley shines in 'Rock of Ages' . Sarasota Herald-Tribune . 4 November 2014 . 25 December 2014 . Jay Handelman.
  16. Web site: The Players' 42nd Street takes a few steps too far . Sarasota Magazine . 30 November 2007 . 25 December 2014 . Kay Kipling .
  17. News: In Memory of Roye Schell . Sarasota Herald-Tribune . 25 December 2014.
  18. News: Happy 100th Birthday! . Anna Maria Island Sun . 20 April 2011 . 21.