Creating dance and movement for everyone from a con artist to decadent nightclub dancers, here are the 2025 Orlando Sentinel honorees for best choreography as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.
Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad array of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected for this 2025 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated Central Florida’s theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment to see the honorees in other categories, and check back on Dec. 22 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.
Roy Alan was choreographer for the Winter Park Playhouse production of “Jerry’s Girls.” (Courtesy Winter Park Playhouse)
Roy Alan
‘Jerry’s Girls’ Winter Park Playhouse
In August: Roy Alan showed why he’s a master choreographer, letting his movement give personality to the unnamed women in this musical revue. And while he built character, he also treated the audience to a Vaudeville style when needed, along with the energy of tap, the fun of fan dance, a sultry air for a “La Cage aux Folles” number — and a heaping helping of good ol’ Broadway razzmatazz. This is Alan’s 12th honor overall and second this year.
Bethany Hemmans, center with Ayòfémi Jeriah Demps and Roberta Emerson, was choreographer for the Theater West End production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf.” (Courtesy Mike Kitaif via Theater West End)
Bethany Hemmans
‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide…’ Theater West End
In September: Bethany Hemmans, who also performed as the show’s Lady in Yellow, devised movement for the play that provided a visual element to the deeply personal monologues being shared. Her work beautifully reflected the performers’ palette of emotions, while crucially not distracting from the tales they were telling.
Olivia Milburn and Trase Milburn were the choreographers for the Osceola Arts production of “Catch Me If You Can.” (Courtesy Calen J. Herb via Osceola Arts)
Olivia Milburn & Trase Milburn
‘Catch Me If You Can’ Osceola Arts
In July: In a show full of moments big and small, Olivia Milburn and Trase Milburn scored with scale-appropriate choreography. There was a feather-fans circle and a Rockettes kickline in fine old showbiz style. But along with the eye-popping razzle-dazzle moments, there were multiple smaller dances — duo, even solo — that beautifully augmented the action.
Christopher Payen was choreographer for the Theatre South Playhouse production of “Annie.” (Courtesy Theatre South Playhouse)
Christopher Payen
‘Annie’ Theatre South Playhouse
In November: A villainous “Easy Street” was just one of the highlights of Christopher Payen’s fun and varied choreography. He also scored with “Hooverville” — the song in which New York City’s down and out tell off former president Herbert Hoover. There was anger not only on the actors’ faces but in Payen’s movement as well. And he created a surprisingly showbiz number as the orphans hoofed through a reprise of “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” complete with a Rockettes-style kickline — perfect for a show that also pays homage to New York City.
Chris Payen was choreographer for the Theater West End production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” (Courtesy Mike Kitaif via Theater West End)
Christopher Payen
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Theater West End
In June: Christopher Payen’s dynamic choreography, capturing the mood of the rock musical, ran the gamut from sharp, inquisitive moves in the opening “What’s the Buzz” to the exuberant chaos of “Hosanna” to Broadway razzmatazz in “King Herod’s Song” to slow-motion revival-tent moves in the climactic title song. With the nod above, these are Payen’s first two appearances on the year-end honor rolls.
Tara Jeanne Vallee was choreographer for the Orlando Shakes production of “Cabaret,” with Shane Bland and Alexis Yard (foreground) and Kyli Rae, Madeline Dunn and Bethany Hemmans (background). (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)
Tara Jeanne Vallee
‘Cabaret’ Orlando Shakes
In February: Tara Jeanne Vallee’s choreography hit all the right notes, from the sweet little dance of the older lovers to the decadence of the Kit Kat Club performers to the sudden formation of a lockstep Nazi-esque kick line. It was movement both fun and foreboding.
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/08/choreography-best-theater-orlando-2025/
