featured alumni

Theo Lencicki, is a proud BTOS alum currently working professionally in all facets of the performing arts industry in New York City and around the country. Growing up in Scranton Theo graduated from West Scranton High School and later attended Penn State University where he obtained a degree in theatre and dance. He has performed for the Jean Ann Ryan Production Company traveling the seas of South America, in various regional and international venues, and all across the United States and Canada on four National Broadway Tours including Hairspray, A Chorus Line (Al), Young Frankenstein and as Riff in West Side Story. In addition to performing,Theo is a musical theatre instructor, director, and choreographer for numerous workshop classes and educational productions as well as being a rostered artist through the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. Other creative endeavors include his work with Camp Broadway and the National High School Musical Theater Awards in NYC.

Jessica is a professional dancer, actor, filmmaker and director/choreographer. After graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in Jazz and Theatre Dance Performance, she went on to perform with the Radio City Rockettes from 2008-2015; the off-Broadway show, Fuerza Bruta, from 2012-2016; and played in numerous regional and international theatres between 2008-2018. Her years of performing with these prestigious companies, productions and tours has given her a wealth of knowledge that she now shares through teaching. Ballet Theatre of Scranton and The Dance Studio have offered Jess the discipline to pursue her goals with confidence and professionalism, for which she will always be grateful.

Michael McILwee hails from Scranton, PA! He is an alumnus of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where he recently became a member of the dance faculty.  He’s had the pleasure to perform on several National and International Tours including: Phantom of the Opera, in Jakarta Indonesia, and The Music Man. Michael has done over three hundred performances of The Music Man, in 4 different professional productions. His most recent tour was A Chorus Line. He has performed in every state in the United States. Regional theater credits include: 42nd Street, White Christmas, Hello Dolly, Carousel, and Oliver. Michael was a choreographer for Biography Channel’s: Celebrity Ghost Stories, he also can be seen as a dancer on the show. While living in Los Angeles, he trained in competitive ballroom dance at Dance with Me Studios with coaches/owners: Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Valentin Chmerkovskiy from ABC’s: Dancing with the Stars. Michael can also be seen in the viral video “T-Rex does A Chorus Line”, which has over 5 million views. Proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association. 

Former BTOS member, Jamary, has traveled across the nation performing in Broadway shows such as Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Little Eva/Shirelle) and Mean Girls (Swing). “BTOS not only provides amazing training and performance opportunities, but it also offers a thriving place for dancers and the community to come together and enjoy the beautiful art of dance. Performing in local community festivals and events has instilled a powerful will to explore culture, work hard, be intentional, and give back graciously to my community. BTOS, and most importantly Joanne Arduino, helped strengthen my life values and morals: grace, passion, and discipline. BTOS has and always will be one of the most vital parts of my career, character, and life.