Dance Students Take Master Class with Alumnus Justin Peebles, Resident Choreographer, Disney Cruise Line Alumni Profile
Meet Justin Peebles
- Job Title & Employer
- Resident Choreographer, Disney Cruise Line
- Major/Program
- Musical Theatre
- Graduation
- April 2008
- Hometown
- Bowling Green, Ky.
- High School
- Greenwood High School
- Now Living In
- Toronto, Canada
"As for the dancers, I am speechless! No one does it like Point Park University. The dance faculty has trained these dance majors to be so marketable in all fields of the industry. I am very impressed EVERY time I come across a Point Park dancer in my everyday business."
Briefly highlight your career path since graduating from Point Park University.
After I graduated from Point Park, I was lucky enough to be cast at the Pittsburgh CLO where I performed in Mame, Annie Get Your Gun and West Side Story. Following that, I started work as a performer with Disney Cruise Line working on the Disney Wonder, opening the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. I currently work full time as a resident choreographer for Disney Cruise Line. Additionally, I am the choreographer for Manhattan Creative Group and Cirque Innosta alongside the brilliant Joey Wartnerchaney. As a choreographer, I have been lucky enough to work with Ann Reinking, Neil Patrick Harris, Patti Colombo, Connor Gallagher and of course, Point Park University's Kiesha Lalama.
In what ways did your college experience and training prepare you for your career?
Point Park 100 percent gave me the tools I needed to succeed in the business. However, as a student, I realized that my education in theatre is what I made of it — I had to match at 100 percent. I owe everything to the late Jack Allison, a professor, mentor and father figure here at Point Park University.
You recently hosted master classes at Point Park. What was it like returning to campus to train the next generation of dancers in the George Rowland White Performance Center?
First off, the campus is MUCH larger (Wow! Well done, Point Park)! Seeing the new Pittsburgh Playhouse was amazing. The history of the former Playhouse was incredible and now I know that the new Playhouse will continue the legacy.
As for the dancers, I am speechless! No one does it like Point Park. The dance faculty has trained these dance majors to be so marketable in all fields of the industry. I am very impressed EVERY time I come across a Point Park dancer in my everyday business.
What were some of your key messages/pieces of advice to the dancers?
Be kind to everyone they meet in the business. Talent will only get them so far — their reputation will get them further. Also, that they're always an actor first. If they don't emote through movement, then they're moving — not dancing.
Tell us about your current job.
I am currently a resident choreographer at Disney Cruise Line. After the casting team sends us a new cast, we re-stage the award-winning entertainment and set the shows on the ships so that our guests always have incredible entertainment to watch. I am so lucky to have a job that can bring happiness to so many people worldwide while still challenging me on a creative level.