Mikayla Dushane is an inventive and experimental performing arts instructor.  Mikayla has joined St. John’s Stage as our Artistic Director, 

Music/Dance/Acting Instructor, and Lead Choreographer. She has been studying, training, and appearing in the world of the performing arts for 21 years.

 

Mikayla started her ballet training at the age of  2.   Then moved to The Academy of Performing Arts at the age 5, where she started her training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theatre.   Mikayla then moved on to continue her performance training, where she joined a competitive performance team.   She continued training and competing for the next 8 years, competing in jazz, tap, contemporary, musical theatre and vocal.   During her time as a student, Mikayla won many high placement awards for her dancing and singing.   Including, Regional Junior Champion of 2014, at Star Systems Dance Competition, Regional Teen Champion in Vocal of 2016, at Star-bound Talent Competition, 2017’s 1st place Vocal soloist, at Access Broadway Talent Competition, 2018’s Top Soloist in a Production number, as well as Judge choice for Most Creative, at Access Broadway Talent Competition.

 

Mikayla attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, majoring in Musical Theatre. At Douglas Anderson Mikayla had the opportunity to study under experienced Performing Arts instructors such as: Simone Aden, Jeffery Clayton, Valerie Anthony, Myra Fernandez-Torres, Debra Webb, Bonnie Harrison, Rhonda Stampalia, Jenifer Turbyfill, Britney Boyd, and Dr. Lee Beger.  In her sophomore year, her Thespian Troupe won straight superiors, in the 2015 District Thespian Festival.

​

In addition to her training, Mikayla has also studied with world renowned choreographers and performers such as Stacey Tookey, Gene Gabriel, Josh Lamboy, Kevin Covert, and Michael Slinger.   Mikayla also had the unique opportunity to work with Broadway Composer Jeff Blumenkrantz on debuting a brand new piece "Free Fall".

​

From 2016 to 2018, Mikayla had the opportunity to work as the choreographer for a Junior Company competition team. During this time Mikayla’s choreography won awards placing in the top overall scores.   Mikayla also joined a Thespian Company in 2018, as lead Tap and Hip Hop choreographer.   In 2019 she had 4 of her pieces win first place in their category, as well as receiving the title ‘Access Broadway’s Best Musical Theatre School of 2019’.   Since 2020 till present Mikayla has received all platinum's for her group and production routines at Access Broadway.   Mikayla continues teaching and choreographing for the St. Johns Stage Thespian company, in both dance and theatre. 

 

Mikayla received her Bachelors in Fine Arts; in Music Theatre, at Jacksonville University '23 with Magna Cum Laude, and is currently pursuing her second Bachelors in Music; in Music Education. During her undergraduate years she has had the opportunity to learn under professionals in the performing arts field such as Dr. Jay Ivey, Dr. Tyler Alessi, Dr. Julian Bryson, Kimberly Beasley, Scott Jones, Yidi Lin, Glenn Morgan, Elyse Matthews, Dina Barone, Debra Jordan, and Erik DeCicco.   In Spring of 2020 she also had the pleasure of working alongside Dr. Tyler Alessi and Brian Palmer, as assistant choreographer for Jacksonville University’s “Light In The Piazza”.   Mikayla's other credits include, Cassie in "A Chorus Line", The Baker's Wife in "Into the Woods", Pinocchio in "Shrek the Musical", and Sarraghina in "Nine".