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This season I had the opportunity to work on 2 dream shows: Jersey Boys and Waitress. Jersey Boys has a special place in my heart ever since I spent all of third grade doing homework to my Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons CD. As a long-time lover of the movie and musical Waitress, it was exciting to re-envision it in a 360 degree world where audience became patrons of the diner. This show, starring the incomparable Leslie McDonel, was extended for an extra 2 weeks!
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After 12 years at Texas State, I began a new chapter stepping away from academia. I have been so honored to be a part of the building of the Texas State Musical Theatre Program. Thank you to John Fleming and Kaitlin Hopkins for taking a chance on a young teacher with lots of ideas. Thank you to the musical theatre faculty who have been daily inspirations. Thank you to all the faculty and staff in the Department of Theatre and Dance for always being incredible collaborators. Thank you to all of the students and alumni for continuously being my teacher.
It was a joy to finish out my last semester working on show that is nourishment for the soul. I had the opportunity to choreograph Sister Act! I had the opportunity to be a part of two productions in Zach's 23-24 season. I directed and choreographed The Prom which featured professional actors alongside students of Zach's Pre-Professional company. Then I directed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical which became the first show in Zach's Topfer theater to extend its run. For this production I was honored with the Austin Theatre Critics' Award for Best Direction.
During the ZACH Theatre's 22-23 season I had the honor to work on two incredible pieces. I provided movement direction for The Inheritance Part 1 and 2 and choreographed Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. This was a co-production with Deaf Austin Theatre and featured deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing performers.
This summer I was thrilled to return to the Utah Shakespeare Festival. I wrote, directed, and choreographed 3 Greenshows. These were 30-40 minute pre-shows performed in the outdoor performance space that were written to correlate to the show being performed that evening. The 3 shows were: A British Music Hall, The Last Time I Saw Paris, and Coronation Day. I also created choreography for Sweeney Todd and All's Well That Ends Well.
In fall of 2019, I choreographed Pirates of Penzance at the University of Michigan. I was slated to direct and choreograph Pirates of Penzance at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in summer of 2020 but the production was delayed due to the pandemic.
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, especially in the performing arts industry. I stand behind and acknowledge the courage of everyone who has shared their stories and helped bring to light the inequities and disparities deeply rooted in our industry. I have been grateful for some time to learn, reflect, listen, and examine my own practices as well as the role I can play in making the industry a safe, supportive and inclusive space. In summer of 2021 I was able to return to live theatre by directing and choreographing Pirates of Penzance at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. USF created an amazing experience prioritizing the work as well as everyone's safety. Every single person involved with the production was incredible and the space was filled every day with gratitude and collaboration. I look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and work to create the world and the industry we want to live in. Cassie had an eventful 2018/19 school year! In September she choreographed Once at the Zach Theatre in Austin. Then in the spring Cassie choreographed The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Texas State. She was thrilled to bring in Joshua Dean from 2 Ring Circus in New York to choreograph the aerial work as well as hold several masterclasses for the students. In April Cassie and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world!
Cassie was thrilled to have an opportunity to direct and choreograph this Jerry Herman classic at the Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse, NY. The show opened the theatre's brand new theatre complex and starred the incomparable Steve Hayes and Dirk Lumbard.
2017 was a year filled with great theatre and big life changes. In February Cassie served as the associate choreographer for the world premiere of The World According to Snoopy working with choreographer Adam Cates. In March she and her husband welcomed their baby boy into the world. And in the fall Cassie directed and choreographed one of her all-time favorite musicals, A Chorus Line.
This fall Cassie directed a technology and social media driven production of Legally Blonde at Texas State University. The show broke all box office records for the university. Cassie was also excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with choreographer Kiira Schmidt on this audience favorite. Check out photos for more information. Video coming soon!
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Cassie's AdventuresClick archives below to see what Cassie has been up to! Archives
November 2025
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