GET THE SPARK!
FIND YOUR SPARK!
SPARK 2020 FACULTY ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON
ALLISON MICHALKE GUPTON (SPARK Co-Director), a native of Powder Springs, Georgia, graduated with honors from Pebblebrook High School, the Cobb County Center for Excellence in Performing Arts. Following high school, Ms. Gupton graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama earning a B.A. degree in Dance and Public Relations. At Alabama, she performed in and choreographed for several dance concerts and musicals. Her professional and local choreography credits include: Little Women, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, and Spring Awakening at Fabrefaction Theatre Company, and The 25th Annual...Spelling Bee, Godspell, Pippin, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Cartersville High School. In 2013, Allison had the honor of working with Dakota Fanning, Kevin Kline, Bryan Batt, and Susan Sarandon as choreographer for the movie The Last of Robin Hood. She has appeared on various TV shows, including The Vampire Diaries and Drop Dead Diva. Ms. Gupton is a part of the Dance Informa Magazine team as Administration Manager/Journalist and was the resident choreographer for the CW Network show The Originals before the show wrapped. Ms. Gupton is a master dance instructor and choreographer at several studios and institutions in and around Atlanta, including Kennesaw State University. Allison loves being in the classroom, molding young lives, and watching the art of dance grow and evolve in our world today. Allison is so excited about this opportunity, as the new CEO and Director of DanceFest Productions, to continue to change lives and inspire dance students through invigorating training. @allisongupton
JAMIE MCCORD TRIAL (SPARK Co-Director) holds a B.A. degree in Dance with a ballet concentration from Kennesaw State University. She graduated with honors and received scholarships for outstanding choreography and outstanding artistic achievement. In addition to ten years of dance teaching experience, she is certified in teaching Acrobatic Arts and Pure Barre. Jamie’s choreography has been featured in Atlanta’s Dance Canvas, American College Dance Festival, and numerous college dance shows. Local choreography credits also include High School Musical, Seussical, 9 to 5, and a full length production of The Nutcracker. Jamie’s professional performance credits include Cassandra in Cats and ensemble roles in Atlanta Lyric theatre’s The Producers, and Chicago. Jamie is thrilled to be taking on the role of Community Outreach Director and Assistant Director of DanceFest Productions.