Melanie Kirk-Stauffer

---

currently Artistic Director, is the principal trainer and choreographer for DANCE THEATRE NORTHWEST. She has a history of having produced and directed numerous successful shows for family audiences such as America, Let Freedom Ring, The Jewel Heart, The Snow Queen, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Red Shoes, and Back To Broadway as well as DTN's New NUTCRACKER and Beautiful Ballets. She has also choreographed and produced for television and video. Excerpts from several of her original productions have won Regional and National awards.
Under Melanie's direction, DANCE THEATRE NORTHWEST received the Margaret K. Williams Arts Award from The Pierce County Arts Commission in 1998; a Cultural Diversity Award from Access Broadway of New York in 1999; was recognized by BRAVO the film and arts network; and has received an Award of Excellence from the city of University Place. Melanie was recently recognized in the 2003 Celebration of Women photo essay exhibit by Ruthann Reim and added to the Mt. Tahoma Alumni Hall of Fame.

---