Dance Directors - Past and Present

For decades, A Christmas Carol at Omaha Community Playhouse has been a beloved holiday tradition, enchanting audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and festive spirit. At the heart of this enduring production are the choreographers who fill the stage with life, rhythm, and joy, transforming Dickens’ classic tale into a living, breathing celebration of movement. Two artists who have been instrumental in that magic are Roxanne Nielsen and Michelle Garrity, whose combined dedication and creativity have shaped the choreography of A Christmas Carol for generations.

Roxanne Nielsen’s journey with A Christmas Carol began many years ago under the mentorship of the original choreographer, Joanne Cady. Roxanne first joined the production as Joanne’s assistant, learning every detail of the choreography for both the Mainstage and the Nebraska Theatre Caravan tours. As Joanne’s right hand, she demonstrated choreography for cast members, filled in during rehearsals when actors were absent, and supported every aspect of the dance process. After several years in that role, Roxanne took on greater responsibility, teaching all the dances for both Mainstage and touring companies, assisting with the intricate party scenes, and guiding the Children’s Ensemble. When Joanne retired, Roxanne stepped fully into the role of choreographer, overseeing every dance, movement, and ensemble sequence with passion and precision.

Her workdays often stretched from early morning tour rehearsals to late-night Mainstage sessions, filled with teaching, staging, and problem-solving. Yet, even in the most exhausting stretches, Roxanne found deep fulfillment in her work. She fondly recalls one of her first seasons when, after the tours had departed and the Mainstage show had opened, she received a gift basket from Charles Jones himself. It was filled with soups, snacks, sweets, and a handwritten note welcoming her to the team and encouraging her to “put her feet up.” That small gesture of kindness, she says, has stayed with her ever since.

Roxanne also treasures the relationships she built through the show, connecting with performers from across the country, learning their stories, and sharing in their theatrical journeys. Though the long days could be grueling, she describes them as some of the most rewarding of her career. She even had the chance to step out on tour once herself, filling in for an actress who had to return home. Performing for a week at the Fox Theatre and riding back to Omaha with the cast remains one of her favorite memories, a reminder of how deeply intertwined she became with the A Christmas Carol family.

Michelle Garrity’s path into A Christmas Carol began in the mid-1990s when she joined the cast as a “bed bug,” a whimsical role that introduced her to the show’s world of laughter, teamwork, and tradition. In 2005, she began working alongside Roxanne as assistant dance director for both the Nebraska Theatre Caravan touring companies and the Playhouse’s Mainstage production. By 2012, Michelle had stepped into the role of dance director for both OCP and NTC, a position she continues to hold today.

Michelle’s choreography infuses the production with vibrancy and life, blending the joyful energy of community with the discipline of professional theatre. She fondly remembers working with longtime Scrooges Jerry Longe and Cork Ramer, admiring their unwavering dedication and the example they set for the entire cast. One of her proudest innovations came in her first year as dance director, when she created “Polka Camp,” a rehearsal dedicated to helping new cast members master one of the show’s most challenging sequences. The tradition continues to this day, celebrated as an essential and uplifting part of the rehearsal process.

Together, Roxanne and Michelle have shaped the movement of A Christmas Carol into something truly extraordinary. Their choreography does more than fill the stage, it enhances the story’s heart, amplifies its emotion, and unites generations of performers in a shared rhythm of joy. Thanks to their artistry and care, the spirit of dance continues to shine at the center of this timeless Omaha tradition.