Maria Tucker

Maria began her love affair with the arts at the age of twelve, studying with and being mentored by Zetta (Shook) Alderman. After graduating from high school, she was awarded a dance merit scholarship to the Gus Giordano Dance Center in Evanston, IL. While living in the Chicago area, Ms. Tucker performed with production companies Double G Productions and X-treme Entertainment. She was also cast in Disney's Hercules' Summer Spectacular, at the renowned Chicago Theatre. Maria received a dance scholarship to the University of Arizona in Tucson. As a dance major, she participated in benefits for Angel Charity for Children, Inc., performed with QuinnWilliams Jazz and Paul M. Powell Productions, and was a summer apprentice for the River North Chicago Dance Company. She has assisted many master teachers, including Bill Hastings and Ben Vereen. Regional credits include Singin' In The Rain (Olga Mara), Cats (Victoria), West Side Story (Margarita) and Spamalot! (Laker Girl). Maria has been involved with Royal Caribbean Productions since 2001. After roles as a featured dancer and dance captain, she was asked to join the RCI shoreside team as a rehearsal choreographer/director. She has overseen audition tours and has assisted directors such as Harrison McEldowney, Jeremy Plummer, Loren Van Brenk and Sherry Zunker. Most recently, her work has been featured in The Gift, showing on one of Royal Caribbean's newest ships, Anthem of the Seas. Maria has choreographed for Busch Gardens (Gift of Harmony), Colorado Springs' Fine Arts Center (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Sweet Charity and Cabaret) and Broadway Rose Theatre Company (Grease and Oklahoma!). Her choreography has been nominated for a Pike?s Peak Arts Council Award for Excellence. She was also a finalist for a 2016 Drammy Award and a 2017 PAMTA nominee.