Our Staff

  • John and Allyson klak

    studio owners

    John and Allyson opened the Off-Broadway Performing Arts Studio in the fall of 2010 and are the proud parents of two very active alumni students of the studio. Allyson grew up in Livonia, MI. She earned her undergraduate degree from DePauw University (IN), her teaching certificate from Wayne State University, and a Master’s degree in Humanities from Central Michigan University. Allyson taught English at Shepherd High School for several years before switching to Shepherd Middle School where she currently teaches English and History. John, who grew up in Holly, MI, attended Central Michigan University. He majored in both Speech with a theater concentration and English and graduated with a B.S. in Education. He later earned an M.A. in educational administration and community leadership at CMU. He has taught English and Theater and has directed the extra-curricular plays and musicals at Mt. Pleasant High School for the past sixteen years. In addition to overseeing the maintenance and running of the studio with Allyson, John teaches acting courses at Off-Broadway.

  • Andrea Purrenhage

    Dance instructor

    Andrea Purrenhage is a classically trained Vaganova Ballet Dancer currently teaching at Central Michigan University and Off Broadway Performing Arts Studio. Purrenhage trained at the Metropolitan Ballet Center and Professional Ballet School studying ballet, point, partnering, modern, jazz and tap. She continued her training with several dance companies including The Dayton Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, New York Theater Dance of Hoffstra University, and Eglevsky Ballet. Purrenhage joined the Alma College Dance Company in 1999 and enjoyed performing a wide repertoire including The Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, Tarentella, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Ecstatic Colors, and Hermit Songs, to name a few. She also performed with her husband (who is also a dancer!) at the United Way's "Dancing With the Stars" event in 2013.


    When not dancing Andrea enjoys spending time with her husband Gabe, and her son Mason and daughter Giselle, who are proud Ganiard Gators! Mt. Pleasant has become one of her favorite cities and she loves doing things to support our wonderful community.

  • Cassie Scouten

    Dance Instructor

    Cassie is a sophomore Honors student at Central Michigan University studying psychology with a dance minor. She is also a part of the University Theatre Dance Company and before college she studied under Cassandra Macino in Toledo, Ohio since the age of four. There she studied ballet, pointe, and jazz. Since coming to CMU she has studied modern and tap. Cassie sees dance as a necessity to life as dance can be used as an outlet for daily stressors and can serve many benefits, both mentally and physically. She hopes to spread this knowledge and passion onto her students so they learn helpful lessons that will follow them for life.


  • Coreena Yates

    Dance Instructor

    Coreena is a 2006 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. She attended Alma College and was a member of the Alma College Dance Company. She is currently a Special Education Paraprofessional for Mt. Pleasant Public Schools. She and her daughter. Isabella, are proud to be Pullen Panthers. 


    Trained in Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet, she started her training at nine years old with Rochelle Bertsch School of Ballet. Over the last 16 years, Coreena has taught many levels of ballet including pointe and technique. Coreena enjoys teaching all ages of dancers and has performed a variety of Classical Ballets such as Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote, Swan Lake and various other pieces from the classical ballet repertoire. 


    Coreena is an active Associate (ACCA) member of the Cecchettie Council of America. Currently, she has passed Teachers Examinations for Grades I, II, III, IV, and V, which is considered a Professional Level by the CCA. As a Qualified member of the CCA, Coreena hopes to extend her extensive knowledge of classical ballet to those around her. She is currently still training with Rosina DeVries-DFCCA, to obtain the next professional level of accreditation: Intermediate, LCCA. 


    Coreena is very exited to be a part of Off Broadway and looks forward to a wonderful dance season! 

  • David Klak

    Dance Instructor/Desk Assistant

    David Klak is a sophomore at Central Michigan University pursuing his bachelor of fine arts in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance. Klak graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 2017, and while in high school, participated in various performing arts such as choir, drama, and dance team. He has been dancing for 16 years and has experience in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Contemporary/Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and was previously an Off-Broadway Super Star. At CMU, David has been a member of the University Theatre Dance Company, a principle role in the Opera production of The Mikado, and was cast as the lead of one of CMU’s Summer Theatre productions. David hopes that he can help his students build a strong appreciation for the world of musical theatre through education of various genres and eras. 


  • Judi swartz

    Fitness instructor

    Judi Swartz holds BS and MA degrees in education.  She was a dance instructor for tap and ballroom at Vision Studio of Performing Arts in Mt. Pleasant for 13 years, at the Off Broadway Studio for 5 years, and at the Academy of Performing Arts in Alma for 12 years.  She has been the choreographer for 9 shows with Gratiot County Players.  She enjoys attending dance workshops and classes to learn new combinations and technique.

     

    Judi has been an aerobics instructor at McLaren Fitness
    from 2002-2018. She is a certified Personal Trainer through AFAA, (Aerobics
    and Fitness Association of America). She also holds certifications in
    Primary Group Exercise from AFAA  She also holds certifications in PiYo from Beachbody.
    She has been certified to teach Classic, Cardio Circuit, Boom, and Yoga Stretch for the
    Silver Sneakers Program.  She is also a certified Zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba Kids, Aqua Zumba, Pro Skills, Zumba Sentao, Zumba Step, Strong by Zumba and Zumba Toning instructor.

    She is also teaching fitness classes for the Commission on Aging. She sees personal training clients and teaches some private tap classes at Off Broadway studio

     

    She retired in 2007 from Mount Pleasant Public Schools after 34 years in education.  As you can see, she is a ‘life long learner‘as well!


  • Kimberly O'Brien

    Fitness Instructor

    Kim OBrien has trained across the country in a variety of belly dance styles, including Turkish cabaret, American cabaret, and tribal fusion. She performs with a professional troupe in NY (Tribal Dance Long Island) and locally with her own group, Central Michigan Belly Dance. At Off Broadway Performing Arts Studio, she teaches a fusion fitness belly dance class that is suitable for people of all levels of dance and fitness experience (including complete beginners). Her class philosophy is "dance is for every BODY" and she wants everyone to feel comfortable inside and outside the studio. 


  • Noelle Gaffka

    Dance Instructor/ Fitness Instructor/ Office Manager

    Having grown up in Mt. Pleasant, Noelle is ecstatic that she is able to give back to her community by sharing her love of dance and fitness with those she meets at Off-Broadway. Noelle has over 23 years of training in all styles of dance and 6 years as a group fitness instructor. Along with studio training, Noelle has been a participant on athletic dance teams and in competitive dance. Noelle has taught dance and movement at various summer camps, retreats, and conferences throughout the U.S. 


    It was at Off-Broadway that Noelle was inspired to become a Zumba Instructor. After experiencing a back injury, Noelle lost mobility, flexibility, and strength. During each Zumba class, an Off-Broadway Zumba Instructor worked with Noelle to regain what was lost. This experience created a passion and dedication in Noelle to make it possible for every person to be able to experience dance and fitness regardless of physical limitations, disabilities, or injuries, Noelle has trained to teach modification that fit any person with back, knee, hip, and shoulder concerns, She can even teach dance and fitness to those who must remain in a chair. 

  • Dame Robinson

    Barre Fitness Instructor

    Dame began her dance training as a youth.  She danced for several seasons with a company in mid coast Maine. Her love of dance evolved into a love of Yoga. In 2006, she received a 200hr Yoga teaching certification and is currently working towards an advanced Yoga teaching certification. She received her Barre certification in Grand Rapids with Blooma Barre. Along with the joys of motherhood, she is pursuing classes in Health Sciences at Central Michigan University.


    Dame has been fortunate to be a part of Off-Broadway Performing Arts Studio as a proud parent and an adult student and is excited to have the opportunity to share her love of dance and movement.

  • Alissa Varner

    Desk Assistant/Dance Instructor

    Alissa is from the metro Detroit area and started dancing at the age of 5. Her main areas of focus is ballet, jazz, lyrical, and musical theater. She is certified in Cecchetti Grades 1-5. Alissa went to University of Michigan and received a Bachelor's in Children Psychology. When dancing at the studio, Alissa is a Nanny to two little girls. 

  • Molly Schuneman

    Dance Instructor


    Molly Schuneman has 18 years of dance training, including ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, modern, and choreography. She began her training at Vaughan Dance Academy in Plainfield, IL and competed with their competition troupe, where she helped earn two national championships in lyrical and jazz competition pieces. Molly continued her dance education in college and earned her bachelor of arts degree in dance from the University of Iowa. While at Iowa, Molly trained in ballet and modern under George De La Pena, Alan Sener, Armando Duarte, Charlotte Adams, Jennifer Kayle, and Eloy Barragan. Molly performed in numerous faculty and student produced pieces. She was also a member of the premier pre-professional company, UIowa Dancers In Company. 

    When not dancing, Molly works full-time as the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Central Michigan University. 


  • Sara Orchard

    Dance instructor

    Sara is a senior at Central Michigan University. She is majoring in Health Administration with a minor in Dance. At CMU she participates in Club Hip Hop and is a dancer for the University Theatre Dance Company.

    Sara has been dancing for 14 years. Before coming to CMU, she danced at Donna’s School of Dance in Kingsford, MI. Sara has experience in various styles such as tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary-modern, and acro/gymnastics. Acro/gymnastics is Sara’s most trained area of dance. Throughout high school she competed with acro/gymnastic solos and duets at competitions in Green Bay, WI. Her most noted award was receiving the “Outstanding Senior Dancer Award” which included an invitation to the dance intensive The Hollywood Summer Tour in Hollywood, CA. 

    As a former student from Donna’s School of Dance, Sara was also an instructor and the assistant demonstrator for the acro/gymnastic classes. She has choreographed other acro routines that students have taken to competition.

    Sara is excited to teach acro and can’t wait to share new skills with the students! 

  • Elizabeth Klak

    dance instructor/office manager

    Elizabeth Klak has grown up surrounded by the performing arts and has always felt at home when dancing and spending time in the studio. Throughout her youth and into adulthood, Elizabeth has been trained in jazz, tap, modern, ballet, pointe, lyrical, and hip hop. Her favorite genre is jazz! Elizabeth graduated from Central Michigan University in 2018 with a B.A.A in Early Childhood Development and Learning with minors in Dance and Family Studies. Upon graduating, she spent a year in Madison, Wisconsin as an early childhood educator. She is thrilled to return to the studio that has given her so many positive memories. She says, "Off-Broadway is special because it values every dancer that steps through its doors. I truly believe that anyone can learn to dance if they have the passion and dedication to work hard and put their heart into it. I cannot wait to share the love of dance, movement, and expression with the Off-Broadway family!"