Member of Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Radio and Television Artists.
Karen Prunzik originated the Ginger Rogers role of Anytime Annie in Gower Champions blockbuster Broadway sensation “42nd Street” This was the first audition Karen attended when she arrived in New York City at the age of 22.
Karen is hailed in the industry as “One of the best tap dancers in the world!” Paul Draper said “You can do anything I can do, only prettier” Gene Kelly said, “No auditions necessary, I know her work.” Gregory Hines said, “She is one of the best tap dancers I have ever seen.” John Kenley said, “She’s BETTER than Ann Miller!” Ginger Rogers said, “I feel like I’ve known you all my life!” Katherine Hepburn said, “That girl has SPARK!” Gower Champion said, “Honey, you are not a dancer, you’re an artist!” Sammy Davis, Jr. said, “Haven’t seen tapping like that in years!”
A native of Pittsburgh, Karen began her dance training at the age of 4. At the age of 10, Karen was chosen as one of the first twelve company members of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater where she was featured dancer in “The Nutcracker” “Swan Lake” Les Sylphides” and more.
She earned her Equity Card when she was only 15 years old after auditioning for the Kenley Players Summer Stock Theater in Warren, Ohio. Her first summer she performed in “Can Can” with Ann Miller, “Oklahoma” with John Davidson, and “Milk and Honey”, with Molly Picon and Gordon MaCrae. For the next 5 summers, Karen had the honor and the privilege of performing in over 20 shows with the Kenley Players working with such stars as Gene Kelly, Mickey Rooney, Tommy Tune, Vicki Lawrence, Gale Gordon, Alexis Smith, Ken Berry, Meredith Baxter Birney, Jane Powell, Gordon MaCrae, Virginia Mayo, Carol Lawrence and Pittsburgh’s own Shirley Jones.
Her National and International Tours include “My One and Only” with Tommy Tune and Sandy Duncan, “42nd Street” first European Tour, “A Chorus Line” in Hawaii. Through the years, she has appeared in local productions with Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theater and has performed all over the world in her own Critically acclaimed one woman show “Musical Feat” directed by Tony Award winner Thommie Walsh.
Her movie credits include “A Chorus Line, the Movie” with Michael Douglas, and “Tap” with Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr.
Karen has been teaching around the globe for the last 2 decades. Her teaching experiences include, Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Steps, in New York City, New Dance Group in New York City, as well as Master Classes in Vienna Austria, Munich Germany, Paris France, and Amsterdam Holland. She has toured with Tremaine Conventions as a teacher and judge, along with Hoctor’s Dance Caravan and has been a guest teacher and judge at Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters Association. Karen is an adjunct faculty member of Carnegie Mellon University teaching tap to the Senior Musical Theater Students.
Karen returned to her roots here in Pittsburgh and opened the only studio in Pittsburgh whose faculty members have either appeared in performances in New York City, on Broadway, in Films and Television, Music Videos, Ballet Companies, or have degrees in teaching Pedagogy by the Countries most prestigious Universities .
Karen and her staff are dedicated to passing on all of their vast knowledge in dance and theater to their students whether serious about a career in the arts or want to just learn to sing, dance and act for the love of it!
Kailyn Poorman, Ballet and Pointe Instructor and Administrative Assistant. Dancing since the age of 3 years old, Ms. Poorman has combined her love for dance with her passion to teach after graduating from Point Park University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Pedagogy degree. Her career is focused on educating and mentoring children and youth in ballet and pointe based on her extensive training from Point Park University, Alabama Dance Academy, and Houston Academy of Dance. Ms. Poorman has had the great honor of working with ballet instructors such as Nicolas Petrov, Nancy Schaffenburg, and Susan Stowe, all of Point Park University, Francis Petrelle, Artistic Director of Dances Petrelle, Pamela Merkel of the State of Alabama Ballet, and International Ballet Star Phyllis Papa, Director of the Atlantic City Ballet and former American Ballet Theatre member. Ms. Poorman has acquired a wealth of knowledge from these directors and instructors throughout her years of training and she is very excited to pass that knowledge along to the dancers at Broadway Dance Studio. As a high school student working with Pamela Merkel, she had the amazing opportunities of dancing “Snow” in the Nutcracker on Broadway in 1999 and then to be part of the only ballet company from the United States to be featured performers at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Ms. Poorman’s teaching career began in 2002 under the mentorship of Pamela Merkel. Starting as a teaching assistant for Ms. Merkel, she took over the teaching responsibility for those classes while Ms. Merkel was on maternity leave. This was when she realized teaching ballet was how she really wanted to spend her professional career. With that in mind, in 2003, Ms. Poorman enrolled at Point Park University, graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Pedagogy – Ballet degree. As a student of Point Park and under the mentorship of Ronald Hudson and Cynthia Ridler, Ms. Poorman gained practical experience both in the art of dance itself and the art of teaching and training dancers from toddlers through teenagers. Since 1999, Ms. Poorman has participated in many summer dance intensives including Point Park’s International Summer Dance Intensive, Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theater, and Alabama Dance Academy Summer Program.
Kailyn Poorman, Ballet and Pointe Instructor and Administrative Assistant. Dancing since the age of 3 years old, Ms. Poorman has combined her love for dance with her passion to teach after graduating from Point Park University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Pedagogy degree. Her career is focused on educating and mentoring children and youth in ballet and pointe based on her extensive training from Point Park University, Alabama Dance Academy, and Houston Academy of Dance. Ms. Poorman has had the great honor of working with ballet instructors such as Nicolas Petrov, Nancy Schaffenburg, and Susan Stowe, all of Point Park University, Francis Petrelle, Artistic Director of Dances Petrelle, Pamela Merkel of the State of Alabama Ballet, and International Ballet Star Phyllis Papa, Director of the Atlantic City Ballet and former American Ballet Theatre member. Ms. Poorman has acquired a wealth of knowledge from these directors and instructors throughout her years of training and she is very excited to pass that knowledge along to the dancers at Broadway Dance Studio. As a high school student working with Pamela Merkel, she had the amazing opportunities of dancing “Snow” in the Nutcracker on Broadway in 1999 and then to be part of the only ballet company from the United States to be featured performers at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Ms. Poorman’s teaching career began in 2002 under the mentorship of Pamela Merkel. Starting as a teaching assistant for Ms. Merkel, she took over the teaching responsibility for those classes while Ms. Merkel was on maternity leave. This was when she realized teaching ballet was how she really wanted to spend her professional career. With that in mind, in 2003, Ms. Poorman enrolled at Point Park University, graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Pedagogy – Ballet degree. As a student of Point Park and under the mentorship of Ronald Hudson and Cynthia Ridler, Ms. Poorman gained practical experience both in the art of dance itself and the art of teaching and training dancers from toddlers through teenagers. Since 1999, Ms. Poorman has participated in many summer dance intensives including Point Park’s International Summer Dance Intensive, Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theater, and Alabama Dance Academy Summer Program.
A rare breed in musical theater today! Lenora performed her way across the country for the last three decades, starting with her Broadway debut in Cabaret. A protege of Bob Fosse, Lenora first came to the attention of New York critics when she replaced Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly in Fosse's production of Chicago. She went on to create the role of Delores Dante in the Broadway production of Working winning a Drama Desk Award nomination. She co-starred with Peter Allen in his one man show Up in One both on Broadway and in Los Angeles. Lenora co-starred with Chita Rivera as Angel in The Rink filling in for Liza Minelli. She made her New York City opera debut in the role of Gladys in the revival of Pajama Game. National tours include Sweet Charity, Bye Bye Birdie, and Some Like it Hot. Lenora has starred in numberous Civic Light Opera, City Theater, and Public Theater productions.
Broadway credits: “1940’s Radio Hour” CD’s: “WQED Presents: 2006 Live from Studio A “Holiday Jam”, “My Foolish Heart”, “The Sunday Jam”. Film Credits: “The Cemetery Club”, “Bump in the Night”, “Criminal Justice”, “Silent Witness”. Co-owner of jazz club; ”Dowe’s on 9th”. Ten seasons with Gateway to Music School Program “A Vocal Journey with Etta Cox”. Post-Gazette performer of the year 1999. Currently on the faculty of CAPA.
"Ms Deb" has managed the desk at Broadway Dance Studio since Opening Day in January 2007. She came to know Ms. Karen when Karen taught her daughter, Katie, and is delighted to be part of the Studio! By day, Deb works as the Librarian Assistant at Quaker Valley High School. She lives in Sewickley and has two daughters. She is the resident seamstress, costume mistress, sign painter, and back stage mini cast monitor for BDS. She's worked on all of the "Christmas Spectacular" Shows and all the "Spring Productions" as well as sewn costumes for numerous Attic Workshop productions and Quaker Valley High School Musicals.
Katie is not new to BDS having taught our Contemporary class last year which was a favorite among our students. This year she will be on board with us not only reaching the Contemporary Class but Jazz as well. Katie is a Dance Major graduate of Point Park University having studied with Doug Bentz, Judith Leiber, Ron Tassone, Susan Stowe, and more. Katie has appeared in numerous commercials and was recently cast as a dancer in the Pennsylvania Lottery Commercial, "CASH EXTRAVAGANZA" Produced by Bridge Street Films and cast by Mosser Castng. Katie also just completed filming her first Music Video as dancer in Mac Miller's latest release, "FRICK PARK MARKET" which premiered world wide August 16, 2011.
Alyson began dancing at the age of 3 and has been studying tap with Ms. Prunzik for the past nine years. During her studies as a dancer under the tutelage of Ms. Prunzik, she has worked with Broadway professionals such as Danny Herman, Jeff Shade, Lenora Nemetz, Billy Hartung, and many more.
At the age of 17, Alyson had the honor of assisting Ms Prunzik at Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts 2006 Dance Showcase recreating a Paul Draper Original Classical Tap 3 Piece Movement of which Paul’s daughter Kate Draper attended from New york City.
Alyson is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in English. Alyson was a featured performer and choreographer in both the Senior Dance Concert (2011), where she performed her solo modern piece, Come Back to Me, and the Fall Student Dance Concert, where she performed her solo tap piece Tap Excerpts of which she choreographed herself.
Recently Alyson can be seen in Mac Miller’s video filmed here in Pittsburgh titled “Frick Park Market” cast by Pittsburgh’s Donna Belajac.