jaden kindle
Dancer, Singer, Actor, Choreographer, Teacher
HEY, HEY!
My name is Jaden Kindle, and I am a performer, choreographer, and recent musical theatre B.F.A. graduate of Nazareth University in Rochester, New York. Originally, I got my start in Oklahoma City, before making the life-changing decision to go to musical theatre school. I spent some years in Wichita, Kansas, performing at amazing places such as Music Theatre Wichita (MTW), Wichita State University, and The Crown Arts Collaborative, among others. When I relocated to Rochester, I got to work as both a performer and educator at places like Geva Theatre, Blackfriars Theatre, and at The Floor Dance Company. I am grateful to have such great experiences with these different communities across the country.
When I'm not on stage performing, I'm offstage, choreographing and teaching. As a performing arts teacher, I believe that not only is it important to teach students how to do this craft, but also how to love it. Theatre brings joy, and that shows in everything I do, especially teaching. Throughout my time in Wichita, I worked as the Education Intern at MTW, spent an amazing year as an adjunct professor of dance at Butler Community College, and as a choreographer for the nationally-renown 'Headliners' collegiate show choir. Growing up in Oklahoma City, I was raised in and around my father's classroom, and I am grateful to have inherited his passion for teaching.
Ever since I was in the fifth grade, I knew that performing onstage was my life's calling. Recently, I have been answering the call for representation in the industry. When it came to performing, I did not have my first male teacher or my first non-White teacher until my freshman year of college. That was eight years into my journey. Now, I strive to show young artists that it does not matter who you are, or what you look like. Performing is for everyone.
A large part of what's important to me as a performer and a human being is creating a safe, equitable, and just world for all. To learn more about some of the causes I am passionate about, click here, and consider helping people in need.
Updates
Summer 2024,
This summer, I will be traveling to Oz! I am thrilled to be make my Indianapolis debut as the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre! The show runs from May 23rd-July 7th, and I am so excited to be taking part in such an iconic story. You can find more information here.
After that, I will be joining my good friends at Music Theatre Wichita in the ensemble of their productions of Matilda, directed and choreographed by Brian J. Marcum, and Beautiful, directed and choreographed by Deidre Goodwin. I am overjoyed to be returning to the MTW stage this July and August with friends both new and old! You can your tickets here!
Spring 2024, All good things must come to an end! After four long years of study, I am so grateful to finally receive my Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance at the end of this semester. I will graduate from Nazareth University this May, and I plan to continue to hone my crafts and passions as a working musical theatre professional wherever the world takes me! This April, I will make my Nazareth University mainstage debut in the role of Bobby Child in the iconic Gershwin musical comedy, Crazy For You! The music, the dancing, and the joy of live theatre are sure to blow you away. Crazy For You is directed and choreographed by Jeff Shade, and music directed by Richard Biever, and it will be truly unforgettable. Shall we dance? Get your tickets here! My industry professional senior showcase will take place in New York City, on Wednesday, March 20th. You can read all about Live At 555 here! I am overjoyed to join my friends at Blackfriars Theatre this semester as a visiting guest artist, teaching a six-week hip-hop for musical theatre workshop for all levels. This workshop focuses on the integration of stylized hip-hop movement in a musical theatre context, all while emphasizing joy and the love of dance! You can find information here.
Fall 2023, I am so unbelievably excited to be joining #GoldenFlyer nation in the Nazareth University Musical Theatre Class of 2024, this August! I will be completing my BFA in Musical Theatre, and I have been wonderfully welcomed to New York by the warm and thriving performing arts community in Rochester. I am thrilled to join the faculty of The Floor Dance Co. here in Rochester as a dance instructor. I will be specializing in tap, hip-hop, jazz, and musical theatre classes, and I can't wait to return to teaching in a studio! You can read more about The Floor here. I couldn't be more excited to make my Rochester stage debut this December in the ensemble of A Christmas Carol at the Geva Theater Center! A Christmas Carol is directed by Elizabeth Williamson, choreographed by Meggins Kelley, and music directed by Don Kot. The show runs every week in December, and you can get tickets here. Tis the season!
Summer 2023, In August, I am THRILLED to return to the Music Theatre Wichita stage in the ensemble of Ragtime, directed by Deidre Goodwin. Ragtime features a book by Terrence McNally, an incredibly moving score by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. You will love the story, and you will love the music! The show runs August 16-20th and it is not one that you want to miss. You can get tickets here! This July, I was lucky enough to be choreographing the annual Maize Recreational Musical in Maize, Kansas for the triumphant return of their musical productions post-COVID. School of Rock, directed by Justin Ralph, and music directed by Dacia Brown, was a rockin' time! I am thrilled to have returned this summer as a director and choreographer for Music Theatre Wichita's youth summer educational theatre camps. Not only did we have fun learning songs, dances, and theatre skills, but we also learned how to love theatre and share it with others. Some of life's greatest joys!
Spring 2023, In February, I was given the absolute gift of playing the role of Pippin in Stephen Schwartz's Pippin at Wichita State University! This show was the one to usher full-scale musicals back on the Wilner Auditorium stage post-COVID, and I am so thrilled to have done it with such an amazing cast. Pippin was directed by WSU professor Richard Biever, and co-choreographed by Amy Baker Schweithale and Sophia Hillman. It was truly extraordinary! In February, I had the pleasure of choreographing one of my favorite dance shows, Legally Blonde the Musical! This production was the all-district musical for Maize High Schools in Maize, Kansas, under the direction of Kathleen Barbara and Micaela Heinrich-Arndt. It was the experience of a lifetime! This April, I was lucky enough to have rejoined my friends at St. Francis of Assisi to choreograph their spring musical, Mary Poppins Jr., directed by Katie Hamel and Donna Mally! Go Vikings! In April, I made my debut at the Forum Theatre here in Wichita, Kansas.I played Daniel in the INCREDIBLE cast of Once On This Island, and being able to tell this story with such a talented group of storytellers was nothing short of incredible.
Fall 2022, I am so excited to be back at Wichita State University this fall, entering my third year! Go Shockers! I am also so excited to begin a new teaching position at Butler Community College. I joined the Butler team as an adjunct professor of dance, as well as the associate choreographer to the nationally renowned Butler Headliners, under the direction of the incredible Valerie Mack. I am so lucky to be able to teach and learn from them. Go Grizzlies! I had the distinct honor of assistant directing and choreographing The SpongeBob Musical, with Music Theatre Wichita's MTYP, directed by the incredible Audra Bryant! This show was comprised of over 20 talented teens, and it was an absolute joy to be a part of. I am very excited to be returning to the Crown Uptown Theatre stage in the Rockette-inspired Christmas show, A Crown Holiday Spectacular! With direction and choreography by Joice Henry, this show is sure to become one of your new favorite holiday spectacles!
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Lessons and classes
Are you interested in lessons? I'd love to use my skillset to help you achieve all of your dance and theatre goals! I offer my services (in-person or virtually) to teach all levels of tap, jazz, musical theatre, and hip-hop styles, as well as college and theatre audition coaching. Whether you need private lessons, a masterclass instructor, a choreographer, or a visiting guest artist, I am ready to collaborate and create some meaningful art together! I believe that quality dance and theatre education should be affordable and accessible to all, so if you are interested in working together, feel free to contact me, and we will find something that works for you!
