Tony Carl Waag (born September 8, 1957) is a tap dancer, director and producer living in New York City. In 2008, he was dubbed "The Mayor of Tap City" by TheaterMania.[1] He is currently the Executive/Artistic Director of the American Tap Dance Foundation.
Tony Waag
Born
Tony Carl Waag
(1957-09-08) September 8, 1957 (age 65)
Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation
Actor/Tap dancer/Executive Director/Artistic Director
Tony Carl Waag was born in Fort Collins, Colorado on September 8, 1957.[2] While growing up, he watched old MGM Hollywood musicals and developed an interest in performing. By high school, he had joined the Storm Mountain Folk Dancers,[3] a local group devoted to the “authentic recreation of regional dance styles, costumes and music.”[4]
After graduating high school in 1976, Waag continued his education across the street at Colorado State University. At first, he majored in Art/Sculpture.[5] During his freshman year, however, he attended a tap workshop led by Brenda Bufalino, Charles “Cookie” Cook and Leslie “Bubba” Gaines.[6] That summer, his network expanded further when he met Charles "Honi" Coles when Honi was on tour with the musical revue, Bubbling Brown Sugar.[7]
After three years of study in San Francisco, Waag moved to New York City (1982) and soon ran into Bufalino. He began studying with her at the now defunct Fazil's Dance Studio in Times Square. [10] While also working as a bartender, Waag performed around the country, eventually forming the American Tap Dance Orchestra (ATDO) with Ms. Bufalino. ATDO was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)-3 in 1986,[11] with Waag acting as Administrative Director.[12]
From 1989 through 1995 Waag's duties at ATDO included managing Woodpeckers Tap Dance Center.[13]
Artistic/Executive Director: American Tap Dance FoundationEdit
In 2001, ATDO was reorganized to expand its focus with Waag at the helm as both Artistic and Executive Director. Since then, Waag has created a variety of signature programs under the auspices of the newly named American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF), including:
Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival (launched in 2001)[14][15]
Waag has continued to perform and choreograph, and has been featured in hundreds of concert, film and television productions internationally. Highlights include:
Thinking on Their Feet: "Women of the Tap Renaissance" (2010)
Another career highlight was creating and staging the touring production of "Thank You, Gregory", a tribute to the Legends of Tap Dance (2009), which toured in theaters across the country.[22]
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Tony Carl Waag born September 8 1957 is a tap dancer director and producer living in New York City In 2008 he was dubbed The Mayor of Tap City by TheaterMania 1 He is currently the Executive Artistic Director of the American Tap Dance Foundation Tony WaagBornTony Carl Waag 1957 09 08 September 8 1957 age 65 Fort Collins Colorado U S OccupationActor Tap dancer Executive Director Artistic DirectorSpouseMark Kellogg Contents 1 Early life education 2 Career 2 1 Artistic Executive Director American Tap Dance Foundation 3 References 4 External linksEarly life education EditTony Carl Waag was born in Fort Collins Colorado on September 8 1957 2 While growing up he watched old MGM Hollywood musicals and developed an interest in performing By high school he had joined the Storm Mountain Folk Dancers 3 a local group devoted to the authentic recreation of regional dance styles costumes and music 4 After graduating high school in 1976 Waag continued his education across the street at Colorado State University At first he majored in Art Sculpture 5 During his freshman year however he attended a tap workshop led by Brenda Bufalino Charles Cookie Cook and Leslie Bubba Gaines 6 That summer his network expanded further when he met Charles Honi Coles when Honi was on tour with the musical revue Bubbling Brown Sugar 7 A year later Waag changed his college major to dance and moved to Salt Lake City to continue his studies at the University of Utah 8 In 1979 Waag dropped out of college in order to move to San Francisco and study with tap masters Eddie Brown and Tony Wing of Toy amp Wing 9 Career EditAfter three years of study in San Francisco Waag moved to New York City 1982 and soon ran into Bufalino He began studying with her at the now defunct Fazil s Dance Studio in Times Square 10 While also working as a bartender Waag performed around the country eventually forming the American Tap Dance Orchestra ATDO with Ms Bufalino ATDO was officially incorporated as a not for profit 501 c 3 in 1986 11 with Waag acting as Administrative Director 12 From 1989 through 1995 Waag s duties at ATDO included managing Woodpeckers Tap Dance Center 13 Artistic Executive Director American Tap Dance Foundation Edit In 2001 ATDO was reorganized to expand its focus with Waag at the helm as both Artistic and Executive Director Since then Waag has created a variety of signature programs under the auspices of the newly named American Tap Dance Foundation ATDF including Tap City the New York City Tap Festival launched in 2001 14 15 Rhythm in Motion 16 Hoofer amp Tap Preservation Awards 17 International Tap Dance Hall of Fame 2002 18 The Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund 19 The Gregory Hines Collection of American Tap 20 Waag has continued to perform and choreograph and has been featured in hundreds of concert film and television productions internationally Highlights include Thinking on Their Feet Women of the Tap Renaissance 2010 Requiem For a Dream 2000 Six Ways to Sunday 1997 PBS s Great Performances Tap Dance in America 1989 Someone Stole the Baby 1992 21 Another career highlight was creating and staging the touring production of Thank You Gregory a tribute to the Legends of Tap Dance 2009 which toured in theaters across the country 22 Waag continues to advocate for the importance of tap dance in American Culture He is a member of the Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild In 2014 Waag received the Dance Magazine Award 23 References Edit Tap City 2008 TheaterMania Hill Constance Valis 2010 Tap Dancing America A Cultural History p 339 BWW Interviews Tony Waag by Barnett Serchuk April 2015 Storm Mountain Folk Dancers Background Information Range of Motion The Morning Call by Judith Green November 2004 A joyful noise Hitting a chord with Tap City by Johnette Rodriguez The Providence Phoenix November 2004 BWW Interviews Tony Waag by Barnett Serchuk April 2015 Dance Tony Waag ART TIMES by Francine L Trevens June 2011 Range of Motion The Morning Call by Judith Green November 2004 Hill 2010 p 297 New York State Charities Bureau BWW Interviews Tony Waag by Barnett Serchuk April 2015 Masters of American Tap Dance Tony Waag Range of Motion The Morning Call November 2004 Tap City is Back Tap s Present and Future in a Meeting of Minds Hearts and Feet Rhythm in Motion Tap Dance at 14th Street Y The New York Times March 2013 The Dance Enthusiast Tap Awards July 2015 International Tap Association Board of Directors Tap Dance Scholarship Changes Young Lives Adria Ballet Beat The Gregory Hines Collection Of American Tap Dance at NYPL Masters of American Tap Dance Hines show honors dance s top tappers The Morning Call April 2010 The 2014 Dance Magazine Awards December 2014 External links EditAmerican Tap Dance Foundation International Tap Association Arts Journal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tony Waag amp oldid 1167161783, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
