For the first time since the Dance Theatre of Oregon was founded in 1991, there will be a hiatus for the 2010-2011 season. Choreographers Marc Siegel and Pamela Lehan-Siegel are taking a sabbatical to support the acting career of the newest member of the Siegel family . Ten-year old Kyra Siegel was recently cast as Abigail Breslin's understudy in the role of Helen Keller for the Broadway revival of William Gibson's “The Miracle Worker” in NYC. The Siegels have every intention of reviving the DTO company with renewed energy for an exciting 2011-2012 season!

Actually Kyra is by far “new” on the stage, it was her performance in a locally produced run of “The Miracle Worker” at the Cottage Theatre in Oregon that launched her Broadway opportunity. Rave reviews in Oregon helped Kyra land an audition in NYC in November, 2009. She was selected over numerous other talented young actresses for the understudy role. She and her parents (DTO's artistic directors) currently reside in NYC while Kyra fulfills her contract and possibly performs the role on Broadway. Mr. Siegel and Ms. Lehan-Siegel will teach, coach and continue their own careers as dance and theater choreographers in the tri-state area over the next several months.

Marc Siegel and Pamela Lehan-Siegel are also no strangers to New York, both having worked with the highest caliber professional companies there, until relocating to Eugene, OR in 1991 to found the “Dance Theatre of Oregon”. We look forward to their return and announcement of the 2011-12 season.