Taylor Made Dance and Theatre

I started Taylor Made Dance and Theatre 3 years ago. I was handed the keys on March 15,2020, we were closed due to the pandemic the following day. I never imagined my original business plan would morph day to day as I battled challenges I never imagined. In the 16 years leading up to Taylor Made being created, I had been working for the school district as an independent contractor to help build and run 3 different high school performing arts programs. I was brought in for my professional background to help make these programs more robust and attractive for serious arts students. I saw first hand the problems they faced and sadly some of them are insurmountable. Most of all the funding, there is none. The biggest problem is that the students were always the ones that got hurt in the end. This was the inspiration for me building Taylor Made Dance and Theatre. I wanted to find a way to help my students and supply qualify dance, acting and vocal  instructors as well as choreographers for the high school directors. I believe everyone should have the same access to solid education. Since I was in the schools already, I would use the schools as feeder programs for TMDT. Train the students in the classes that they were missing from their school programs and in return the school programs would become stronger because the students would be fully trained. This would get them more attention, more students and possibly funding. It was also a way for the school programs to be able to free up money to help Scholarship students in need. At the time our programs were huge, one had 98 students alone, we had a pre sign up and 70 students were ready to start. 

Then the pandemic happened. I still believe that this business plan will work but I must explain why I feel it’s going to take some time.My studio   involves two industries that were hurt very badly by the pandemic. One is the performing arts industry and the other is  education. They are coming back but very slowly and we have a lot to contend with. Students attitudes and mental health are strained, they are overwhelmed by the smallest of tasks sometimes. Some parents and students still have issues with indoor activities because of Covid. They are coming back but I need time to bridge the gap as we rebuild.  

As my Business plan shifted I decided to focus on what I could throughout the pandemic and create a solid program to be able to offer the schools once we got back into the swing of things. Many of our students are young artists that perform on a regular basis, their schedules are jam packed with rehearsals and shows, this makes it hard for them to find a place to train.  Because I still work in so many of the school programs I know how they function as well as what their schedules are, so I created a unique program that includes the following. 

We also have a College Prep Conservatory with a focus on getting students the right resources and training to be able to continue their education in a college or conservatory program after high school. Offering them vocal, dance and acting training,CAP program where they audition for 70 university programs their senior year under one roof in Atlanta. We are only one of six programs nationwide that has been selected by CAP as a CAP academy. CAP is an audition only program, their standards are high and they only accept so many students each year. TMDT students enrolled in our conservatory automatically get held a place for the audition because we vouch for their training and CAP  believes we have some of the best students out there. We are small but mighty! So far we have 100% success rate and I am proud of that. 

I’m on my 19th year now with the high schools, we have been able to start helping by giving our resources to them this year as they get back on track as well. It just taking time. 

TMDT is a special place, at least that’s what I’ve been told by my students, parents, instructors and alumni. I believe it’s because everybody is treated with respect, kindness and acceptance and in return it’s given back. Every student is treated like an individual and my team works collaboratively which makes a huge impact on the students.