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{{Infobox artist | {{Infobox artist | ||
| name = Summer Severin | | name = Summer Severin | ||
| image = Summer_Severin.jpg | |||
| caption = Severin (photo: Taylor Made Dance & Theatre) | |||
| disciplines = Dancer · Musical theatre performer | | disciplines = Dancer · Musical theatre performer | ||
| education = Elon University | | education = Boca Raton Community Middle School<br />Boca Raton Community High School (2021)<br />Elon University (2021–2025) | ||
| degree = Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Music Theatre, Elon University (2025) | |||
| training = [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]] under [[Angela Morando-Taylor]] | | training = [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]] under [[Angela Morando-Taylor]] | ||
| years_active = | | years_active = 2017–present (professional since 2025) | ||
| notable_roles = Swing and dance captain, ''Water for Elephants'' North American tour (2025–) | | notable_roles = Swing and dance captain, ''Water for Elephants'' North American tour (2025–)<br />Velma Kelly (''Chicago'', Boca Raton High School)<br />Lead in ''Children of a Lesser God'', performed in American Sign Language | ||
| productions = ''Water for Elephants'' (national tour) | | productions = ''Seussical'' (2017)<br />''Children of a Lesser God'' and ''Chicago'' (2019–20)<br />''Jekyll & Hyde'' (2021, dance captain)<br />''Water for Elephants'' (national tour, 2025–) | ||
| companies = [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]] (dance faculty) | | companies = [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]] (dance faculty) | ||
| website = [https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Summer-Severin/ BroadwayWorld profile] | | website = [https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Summer-Severin/ BroadwayWorld profile] | ||
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'''Summer Severin''' is an American dancer and musical theatre performer. She is a swing and the dance captain of the North American touring production of the Broadway musical '''''Water for Elephants''''', which opened in September 2025. She trained at [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]] under [[Angela Morando-Taylor]] and graduated from Elon University's music theatre program in 2025.<ref name="bios">{{cite web |url=https://www.playhousesquare.org/assets/doc/WFE_Cast_Bios-8691c39173.pdf |title=Water for Elephants – Cast Bios |website=Playhouse Square |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="bww">{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Summer-Severin/ |title=Summer Severin |website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> | '''Summer Severin''' is an American dancer and musical theatre performer. She is a swing and the dance captain of the North American touring production of the Broadway musical '''''Water for Elephants''''', which opened in September 2025. She trained at [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]] under [[Angela Morando-Taylor]] and graduated from Elon University's music theatre program in 2025.<ref name="bios">{{cite web |url=https://www.playhousesquare.org/assets/doc/WFE_Cast_Bios-8691c39173.pdf |title=Water for Elephants – Cast Bios |website=Playhouse Square |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="bww">{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Summer-Severin/ |title=Summer Severin |website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> | ||
== Training | == Education == | ||
Severin studied dance and musical theatre at [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]], the studio run by [[Angela Morando-Taylor]], and later taught dance there. The studio's staff page lists her on its dance faculty.<ref name="staff">{{cite web |url=https://taylormadedanceandtheatre.com/the-who%E2%80%99s-who%26staff-bios |title=The Who's Who & Staff Bios |website=Taylor Made Dance and Theatre |access-date=2026-11-07}}</ref> Elon University in North Carolina, where she earned | * '''Boca Raton Community Middle School''', Boca Raton, Florida (to 2017) | ||
* '''Boca Raton Community High School''', Boca Raton, Florida (graduated 2021) | |||
* '''Elon University''', Elon, North Carolina (2021–2025): '''Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre''' (2025) | |||
=== Training === | |||
* [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]], Boca Raton, under [[Angela Morando-Taylor]]. She later taught dance there. | |||
Severin studied dance and musical theatre at [[Taylor Made Dance & Theatre]], the studio run by [[Angela Morando-Taylor]], and later taught dance there. The studio's staff page lists her on its dance faculty.<ref name="staff">{{cite web |url=https://taylormadedanceandtheatre.com/the-who%E2%80%99s-who%26staff-bios |title=The Who's Who & Staff Bios |website=Taylor Made Dance and Theatre |access-date=2026-11-07}}</ref> Elon University in North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre in 2025,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elon.edu/u/admissions/undergraduate/explore/majors-minors-and-academic-programs/music-theatre/ |title=Music Theatre (BFA) |website=Elon University}}</ref> is one of the colleges where Morando-Taylor's college-prep students have gone.<ref name="bios" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesobserver.com/news/local-news/2024/07/professional-performance-educator-brings-connections-and-expertise-home |title=Professional performance educator brings connections and expertise home |website=Times Observer (Warren, Pennsylvania) |date=2024-07}}</ref> | |||
== School productions == | |||
Severin played a lead role in ''Seussical the Musical'' in eighth grade, at Boca Raton Community Middle School in April 2017.<ref name="seuss">{{cite web |url=https://luanda.dehilster.com/?p=25 |title=Nurturing a Natural Talent |author=David de Hilster |website=luanda.dehilster.com |date=2018-09-11}}</ref> | |||
At Boca Raton Community High School she became, in one reviewer's words, "a true veteran of Boca High Drama". As a junior in 2019–20 she had leading roles in two very different productions. In the play ''Children of a Lesser God'' she performed her entire role in American Sign Language. The reviewer called it "awe inspiring and an opus performance… Her ability to become a truly deaf person both in signing, demeanor, and even in her convoluted vocalizations was simply extraordinary." The same year she played Velma Kelly in the musical ''Chicago'', and "sang and danced as if she was already on Broadway".<ref name="jekyll">{{cite web |url=https://luanda.dehilster.com/?p=957 |title=Tenacity, Talent, & Teamwork Turn Covid Lemons into Jekyll Lemonade |author=David de Hilster |website=luanda.dehilster.com |date=2021-03-27}}</ref> | |||
As a senior she was one of three student dance captains for ''Jekyll & Hyde'' (March 2021). That production was staged and streamed live from BrandStar television studios during the COVID-19 pandemic, with choreography by [[Angela Morando-Taylor]]. When the head choreographer fell ill shortly before opening, the dance captains took over rehearsing the dancers and ensemble.<ref name="jekyll" /> | |||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
''Water for Elephants'' was Severin's professional debut and her first national tour. She is a swing, covering several ensemble roles, and the company's dance captain.<ref name="bios" /> The musical is based on Sara Gruen's novel and its 2024 Broadway production, and is staged with circus acrobatics. The tour opened on September 27, 2025, at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/see-whos-hitting-the-road-in-water-for-elephants-national-tour |title=See Who's Hitting the Road in Water for Elephants National Tour |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/water-for-elephants-north-american-tour-announces-complete-cast_1797339 |title=Water for Elephants North American Tour Announces Complete Cast |website=TheaterMania}}</ref> It went on to play cities including Cleveland (Playhouse Square, March 2026) and Chicago (Nederlander Theatre, June 2026).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/cleveland/article/WATER-FOR-ELEPHANTSNational-Tour-Comes-To-Playhouse-Square-March-2026-20251112 |title=WATER FOR ELEPHANTS National Tour Comes To Playhouse Square March 2026 |website=BroadwayWorld |date=2025-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://stageandcinema.com/2026/06/27/water-for-elephants-review-tour/ |title=Theater Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (National Tour at Nederlander Theatre / Chicago) |website=Stage and Cinema |date=2026-06-27}}</ref> Her Elon classmate Ella Huestis made her own touring debut in the same company.<ref name="bios" /> | ''Water for Elephants'' was Severin's professional debut and her first national tour. She is a swing, covering several ensemble roles, and the company's dance captain.<ref name="bios" /> The musical is based on Sara Gruen's novel and its 2024 Broadway production, and is staged with circus acrobatics. The tour opened on September 27, 2025, at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/see-whos-hitting-the-road-in-water-for-elephants-national-tour |title=See Who's Hitting the Road in Water for Elephants National Tour |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/water-for-elephants-north-american-tour-announces-complete-cast_1797339 |title=Water for Elephants North American Tour Announces Complete Cast |website=TheaterMania}}</ref> It went on to play cities including Cleveland (Playhouse Square, March 2026) and Chicago (Nederlander Theatre, June 2026).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/cleveland/article/WATER-FOR-ELEPHANTSNational-Tour-Comes-To-Playhouse-Square-March-2026-20251112 |title=WATER FOR ELEPHANTS National Tour Comes To Playhouse Square March 2026 |website=BroadwayWorld |date=2025-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://stageandcinema.com/2026/06/27/water-for-elephants-review-tour/ |title=Theater Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (National Tour at Nederlander Theatre / Chicago) |website=Stage and Cinema |date=2026-06-27}}</ref> Her Elon classmate Ella Huestis made her own touring debut in the same company.<ref name="bios" /> | ||
== Selected credits == | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
! Year !! Production !! Role !! Venue / company | |||
|- | |||
| 2017 || ''Seussical the Musical'' || Lead role || Boca Raton Community Middle School | |||
|- | |||
| 2019–20 || ''Children of a Lesser God'' || Lead (performed in American Sign Language) || Boca Raton Community High School | |||
|- | |||
| 2019–20 || ''Chicago'' || Velma Kelly || Boca Raton Community High School | |||
|- | |||
| 2021 || ''Jekyll & Hyde'' || Student dance captain || Boca Raton Community High School (live broadcast, BrandStar Studios) | |||
|- | |||
| 2025– || ''Water for Elephants'' || Swing; dance captain || North American tour | |||
|} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 01:46, 7 November 2026
| Summer Severin | |
|---|---|
 Severin (photo: Taylor Made Dance & Theatre)
| |
| Dancer · Musical theatre performer | |
| Career | |
| Education | Boca Raton Community Middle School Boca Raton Community High School (2021) Elon University (2021–2025) |
| Degree(s) | Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Music Theatre, Elon University (2025) |
| Training | Taylor Made Dance & Theatre under Angela Morando-Taylor |
| Years active | 2017–present (professional since 2025) |
| Performance | |
| Notable roles | Swing and dance captain, Water for Elephants North American tour (2025–) Velma Kelly (Chicago, Boca Raton High School) Lead in Children of a Lesser God, performed in American Sign Language |
| Productions | Seussical (2017) Children of a Lesser God and Chicago (2019–20) Jekyll & Hyde (2021, dance captain) Water for Elephants (national tour, 2025–) |
| Companies | Taylor Made Dance & Theatre (dance faculty) |
| Recognition & links | |
| Website | BroadwayWorld profile |
Summer Severin is an American dancer and musical theatre performer. She is a swing and the dance captain of the North American touring production of the Broadway musical Water for Elephants, which opened in September 2025. She trained at Taylor Made Dance & Theatre under Angela Morando-Taylor and graduated from Elon University's music theatre program in 2025.[1][2]
Education
- Boca Raton Community Middle School, Boca Raton, Florida (to 2017)
- Boca Raton Community High School, Boca Raton, Florida (graduated 2021)
- Elon University, Elon, North Carolina (2021–2025): Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre (2025)
Training
- Taylor Made Dance & Theatre, Boca Raton, under Angela Morando-Taylor. She later taught dance there.
Severin studied dance and musical theatre at Taylor Made Dance & Theatre, the studio run by Angela Morando-Taylor, and later taught dance there. The studio's staff page lists her on its dance faculty.[3] Elon University in North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre in 2025,[4] is one of the colleges where Morando-Taylor's college-prep students have gone.[1][5]
School productions
Severin played a lead role in Seussical the Musical in eighth grade, at Boca Raton Community Middle School in April 2017.[6]
At Boca Raton Community High School she became, in one reviewer's words, "a true veteran of Boca High Drama". As a junior in 2019–20 she had leading roles in two very different productions. In the play Children of a Lesser God she performed her entire role in American Sign Language. The reviewer called it "awe inspiring and an opus performance… Her ability to become a truly deaf person both in signing, demeanor, and even in her convoluted vocalizations was simply extraordinary." The same year she played Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago, and "sang and danced as if she was already on Broadway".[7]
As a senior she was one of three student dance captains for Jekyll & Hyde (March 2021). That production was staged and streamed live from BrandStar television studios during the COVID-19 pandemic, with choreography by Angela Morando-Taylor. When the head choreographer fell ill shortly before opening, the dance captains took over rehearsing the dancers and ensemble.[7]
Career
Water for Elephants was Severin's professional debut and her first national tour. She is a swing, covering several ensemble roles, and the company's dance captain.[1] The musical is based on Sara Gruen's novel and its 2024 Broadway production, and is staged with circus acrobatics. The tour opened on September 27, 2025, at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.[8][9] It went on to play cities including Cleveland (Playhouse Square, March 2026) and Chicago (Nederlander Theatre, June 2026).[10][11] Her Elon classmate Ella Huestis made her own touring debut in the same company.[1]
Selected credits
| Year | Production | Role | Venue / company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Seussical the Musical | Lead role | Boca Raton Community Middle School |
| 2019–20 | Children of a Lesser God | Lead (performed in American Sign Language) | Boca Raton Community High School |
| 2019–20 | Chicago | Velma Kelly | Boca Raton Community High School |
| 2021 | Jekyll & Hyde | Student dance captain | Boca Raton Community High School (live broadcast, BrandStar Studios) |
| 2025– | Water for Elephants | Swing; dance captain | North American tour |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Water for Elephants – Cast Bios". Playhouse Square.
- ↑ "Summer Severin". BroadwayWorld.
- ↑ "The Who's Who & Staff Bios". Taylor Made Dance and Theatre.Retrieved 2026-11-07.
- ↑ "Music Theatre (BFA)". Elon University.
- ↑ "Professional performance educator brings connections and expertise home". Times Observer (Warren, Pennsylvania)(2024-07).
- ↑ David de Hilster."Nurturing a Natural Talent". luanda.dehilster.com(2018-09-11).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 David de Hilster."Tenacity, Talent, & Teamwork Turn Covid Lemons into Jekyll Lemonade". luanda.dehilster.com(2021-03-27).
- ↑ "See Who's Hitting the Road in Water for Elephants National Tour". Playbill.
- ↑ "Water for Elephants North American Tour Announces Complete Cast". TheaterMania.
- ↑ "WATER FOR ELEPHANTS National Tour Comes To Playhouse Square March 2026". BroadwayWorld(2025-11-12).
- ↑ "Theater Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (National Tour at Nederlander Theatre / Chicago)". Stage and Cinema(2026-06-27).
External links
- Summer Severin on BroadwayWorld
- @summerseverin on Instagram