Today we’d like to introduce you to Miss Marie.
Miss, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a Native Floridian. Most of my childhood memories are filled with happy technology free adventures, building tree houses, and playing simple games like hopscotch. I was the popular, gregarious, and sweet kid on the block. I always had a group of friends at my side. I loved going to school I was a straight A student who excelled in school. For me, it was my escape from life at home, my family moved frequently. I recall going to four different elementary schools within one school year! There were constant arguments, friction, and unhappiness.
During my middle school/pre-teenage years, I had a great community of friends and kept my mind on school but it was never easy to go home to argumentative parents. The next phase of life was a high school which was an even better experience. I was determined to be a high school graduate. I took my first dance class in my freshman year and my heart exploded. A whole new world opened up for me. Little did I know, that dance was going to completely transform my life. I would run eagerly to my dance class every day and was the first one ready to warm up. I would practice all day long and began to choreograph my dances. I had a glimpse of hope! Right then and there, I wanted to be a dance teacher!
My dream was to attend dance classes in a private studio after school but my parents could not afford private classes. I thought my dream would never come true. I was wrong. In my sophomore year, my English class had to find an internship for our dream job. I then discovered Ballet Elite Dance Studio in 2004. I am very grateful for Ballet Elite Dance Studio. They took me in and taught me everything from varied genres of dance to how to handle customers. Dance has been a part of my life ever since. I found my happy place! I subsequently pursued dance related jobs all over South Florida in schools and community centers. I have even taught at dance festivals in New York City.
Teaching children’s theatre branched off of the dance and for the past five years, I have expanded my craft into as a musical theatre director. My company is called Miss Marie Poppinz Children’s Theatre & Dance. I cherish my community of young actors and actresses who love to be on stage. I create plays and dances for children from the ages of 3-12. I believe in every young soul that enters my classes and encourage them to perform and help them to build their confidence on stage. Everyone needs a positive mentor.
I also host a creative summer theatre program called “Shout Out on Stage”. Pouring my energy into creating, directing, and producing scripts and stage plays for children. My mission is to inspire my cast members to become leaders by channeling their energy into a positive way through dance, music and theatre. All of my programs are priced affordably I believe everyone deserves a chance to join the movement. Join the Movement today!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a struggle and I talked about some of the struggles in my last question. I am also a single mother of two amazing girls and having kids at an earlier stage of my life with no support was not easy. I am their rock and I cannot imagine life without my girls.
Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
My program gives every kid a chance to be a different type of role. It’s not always about being the main role, it is about building each other up and doing things together. I love building relationships in my community. I mentioned before that I cherish my community of young actors and actresses who love to be on stage. I create plays and dances for children from the ages 3-12. I believe in every young soul that enters my classes and encourage them to perform and help them to build their confidence on stage.
My company offers a variety of things. Children’s Theatre & Dance is the majority of it but I also babysit and nanny for families local and afar. Like the childhood movie Mary Poppins, she danced and babysat too and that is where I got the idea “Miss Marie Poppinz”.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always the nice popular girl with my nose in a book. I loved hanging out with my friends, dancing and I loved going to the beach. I always wanted to be some form of a teacher. I used to invite all my friends over to play school all the time. I was always the “teacher” and gave out homework to the neighborhood kids and everything. I am the type of person that drops everything for anyone in need. It’s just my nature.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1400 N Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale FL 33304 - Website: www.missmariepoppinz.com
- Phone: 530 -955 – 0748
- Email: missmariexodance@yahoo.com
Image Credit:
Lua Photography
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