We are delighted to offer our advanced dancers the opportunity to experience a pre-professional dance environment where they will be challenged to learn choreography quickly & perform with excellence.
The dance companies have been designed to be student and family friendly, allowing dancers to focus on different dance techniques throughout the year. We will continue aspiring to achieve everything Prairie School of Dance is known for: wholesomeness, grace, excellence, inspiration and beauty.
- All Performing Arts students are eligible to audition.
- Understudies and apprentices may be selected.
- Companies will run in six to ten week blocks, allowing students to accommodate their other commitments including: school, church, and family.
- Companies may have a minimal costume fee.
2018-2019 Dance Companies
Musical Theater Company – Renee Guittar & Rush Benson – PA Showcase
Spring Ballet Company – Allison Doughty Marquesen – Spring Recital
Renee Guittar is a dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher based in Minneapolis and originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. Renee has performed with Collide Theatrical Dance Company since 2013 and has performed at theaters such as The Guthrie (The Music Man), The Ordway (A Chorus Line, In The Heights), Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (Grease, Camelot, Beauty and the Beast) and The Old Log Theater (The Wedding Singer). Renee has presented choreography with nationally touring illusionist Jared Sherlock, Young Artists Initiative, Zenon Dance Zone, Gustavus Adolphus College, Patrick’s Cabaret, and at theaters such as Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (Fireside Theater), Theatre in the Round, The Ritz Theater and numerous high schools and middle schools in the Twin Cities area. Renee teaches at numerous dance schools including Zenon Dance School and Ashley Ballet Arts Academy and is a Cowles Center Teaching Artist. Renee produced MN Fringe Festival Productions “CLOCKED” and “CIRCULATE” as well as an interactive dinner theater, “COOKED” which were co-directed by Renee, Benjamin Kolis and Sarah Jabar. Renee received a B.A. in Dance with Honors from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2012. Renee is a proud member of Actors Equity.”
Rush Benson is an actor, dancer, teacher, musician, and choreographer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2013, Benson graduated from Gustavus Adolphus and received degrees in Theater and Dance. Most recently seen in In The Heights and West Side Story at the Ordway, past projects have taken Rush to venues such as the Guthrie, Park Square Theatre, Artistry, Cowles Center, Southwest Theater Company, The Red Eye and across the globe. He is a Cowles Center Teaching Artist and also works as a dance teacher for The Guthrie’s Education Program, Zenon Dance Company, Washburn High School, and directs and choreographs for many schools in the area. His teaching style is focused on unlocking your own sense of internal rhythm and finding ways to be as expressive as humanly possible through that. Additionally, he is an avid fun lover and adventure enthusiast. Rush is a member of Actors Equity.
She has also proudly danced for Minneapolis based jazz company Eclectic Edge
Ensemble since 2006. In 2010, she worked with the Chiang Mai Ballet, and was honored by the US Consulate in Thailand for her choreographic work. She has been an adjunct dance dept. faculty member at Minnesota State University, Mankato since 2014 and holds an MA in Holistic Health Studies from St. Catherine University.
