Choreography Talents (Ryan App leads West Broward productions with talent and vision)

Read Time:3 Minute, 3 Second

MAKING THE MUSIC: Ryan App stands in front of the students of musical theatre one, explaining the next steps to the choreography. The students spent time in class to learn new choreography that will be used in their upcoming production of Chicago.
Photo by Jaliyah Young

By: Jaliyah Young, Imani Jean-Baptiste

The musical theatre program has an all-star choreographer this year whose leadership skills have earned her praise. Since starting as a sophomore at West Broward, Ryan App has choreographed numerous pieces that were enjoyable for both audience members and performers. Arranging these compositions has been enjoyable for App since she has plans to pursue a career in dance and choreography in the future.

“ It’s time consuming, and it takes a lot of effort, but for me it’s not difficult because it’s something I enjoy, so it makes the process easier,” said App.

App has been doing theatre and dance since she was young, developing a passion for the art. She has been a competitive dancer for ten years, yet she’s been dancing for sixteen years. The experience she has allows her to create intricate dance moves that her peers describe as direct yet easy to follow.

“It’s pretty easy, and I was able to learn them. She did a good job at explaining things and she takes things very quickly but in a direct and easy way to follow so I think she does a good job,” said Amanda Espinoza, tech student for the West Broward drama program.
Becoming choreographer was not a decision App made on her own. Amy Neesmith, the theatre director at West Broward appointed App as choreographer after seeing her skills in dance and leadership. These traits stuck out to Neesmith ever since App was a freshman, her leadership and kindness were focal points in her promotion.

MAGIC HANDS: Ryan App gives an example of the choreography to her students and makes them copy her. They learned through example how they should perform during their musical number in the production Chicago. Photo by Jaliyah Young

“When she was a freshman, she was a leader in her group and I noticed not only that she was a great dancer but she advocated for other students and how she could help them. She put herself right in front of the class in order to assist others and she’s always willing to help others with learning to dance,” said Neesmith.

The productions that she’s choreographed include, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sister Act JR., the theatre portion of A Night For the Movies (Mosaic 2025), West Side Story, Tracks, Almost Maine, The Little Mermaid, and their upcoming production, Chicago. Many of her pieces were highly regarded by her peers, with many of them stating that they had fun learning and performing it in front of a crowd.

“The dance we did last year for Mosaic. It was “We Can’t Stop the Beat” from hairspray and I thought it was really good, I also had a lot of fun doing it,” said Espinoza

App has plans to attend Florida State University (FSU) to double major in order to receive her Bachelor’s in theatre and her PhD in premedical. She has plans to continue her passion by joining the FSU School of Theatre and has dreams to work in the theatre industry after schooling.

“It’s my passion, I would love to choreograph for bigger companies and I would love to teach, as well as actually be in productions on stage. Like, I think every aspect of anything to do with theater or dance is really magical,” said App.