Baltimore's Michael Snipe, Jr., Swings into 'Movin' Out'

It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing. A swing, in theater jargon, is a performer in a show who is at all times ready to go on a moment's notice to replace one who is unable to perform either prior to or during a production. Michael Snipe, Jr., is making history with the touring "Movin' Out" cast as the only person to be a swing for all three principal roles. This means he must know the choreography and tracks of the roles of Tony, Eddie, and James. According to Snipe, "The swings are the backbone of the show. Our minds are constantly going during a show since we can go on at any time. You really have to have it together. You can get a call backstage over the intercom and before you know it the costume supervisor will have all your costumes ready."

During last Thursday night's performance, Keith Roberts (nominated for a Tony Award for the role of Tony) injured his shoulder. As a result, Roberts will be likely missing the next month of the tour and Snipe will be stepping into the role of Tony in the meantime, including performing Saturday night and Sunday afternoon here in Balitmore.

Snipe has a fascinating story to tell about how he got to the stage of the Hippodrome. Born in Baltimore in 1977, he attended Sinclair Lane Elementary and Northeast Middle School. When it came to going to high school, Snipe found out about the Baltimore School of the Arts from his sister who had thought about transferring there from Lake Clifton High.

Snipe has absolutely no training in any aspect of music, theater, or dance. For his audition, he chose to dance to the '80s pop group, "Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam." To his shock, Snipe was accepted. At first too embarrassed to wear a dance belt, he performed in shorts and tee shirts as a freshman.

Eight young men, all beginners, entered BSA with him. He recalls his first dance class with Sylvester Campbell, the acclaimed dancer and director of the dance program. Over the next four years, he studied with Broadway veteran Hinton Battle (Miss Saigon) and spent two summers at Point Park in Pittsburgh. He spent the next two summers at the Rock School in Philadelphia. He credits his late mother with suppor *

Meredith Lazzaro (neé Exler) was a classmate of Snipe for three years at BSA. She recalled partnering with him in a piece called "Ellington Suites" choreographed by teacher Stephanie Powell (now teaching at Towson University and the Carver Center for the Arts and Technology) and performed at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Lazzaro is eagerly looking forward to watching Snipe this weekend. "I always anticipated his success," she said. "He's an incredible hard worker. I recall him staying long after practice to work on his flexibility. He had one of the most positive attitudes of any dancer I worked with at the time. He was always asking teachers how he could improve and he took constructive criticism very well. I've never seen "Movin' Out" and I'm so excited about watching him. I know he's going to be brilliant and you can be sure I'll be bringing plenty of tissues with me."

Following high school, Snipe became a member of the Ballet Theater of Annapolis performing the typical repertoire such as "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake."

Both during and after high school, Powell was his mentor. He danced at her Morton Street Studio on Saturday mornings and went with her to New York for dance classes at Steps and Dance Space. The last thing on his mind was college but Powell had other ideas for him.

She urged Snipe to shoot for the moon: Juilliard. According to Snipe, "She got me my application, paid my fees, and bought me the Greyhound Bus ticket to New York." He auditioned with a piece choreographed by Powell. He said it was a nerve-wracking experience. "First I took a class, and then I did a solo piece. Then they made cuts…then another solo piece, another class and another cut. There were 2000 people auditioning. It took 6 hours." Then on April 1, his mother reported there was a phone call.

He was not only granted admission but they also gave him a full scholarship. Despite his first thought, this was no April Fools' joke.

He found living in New York a "surreal experience." His mother, Virginia Prince, was there to see him graduate but it was two years later she would tragically pass away at the young age of 44 due to cancer.

Following Juilliard, he joined the Alvin Ailey II dance troupe at the invitation of Sylvia Waters.

Two years later, David Parsons invited him to join his company.

In 2003, his friend and fellow Parsons dancer, John Carroll, was going to an invite-only audition for the touring cast of "Movin' Out," and Snipe just tagged along. To his good fortune, a casting agent noticed Snipe and allowed him to "crash" the audition. Snipe had not prepared and didn't even have his resume or a photograph. "We were taught the opening number of the show ("It's Still Rock and Roll to Me") and Goodnight Saigon," he said. He made the cut that day, and his later dance-audition for Twyla Tharp, the choreographer, also proved successful.

Rehearsals started on Dec. 15 and he became a member of the ensemble. He started the tour in January 2004 in Detroit and began slowly to learn the principal roles until he became a swing for the three principals. He is looking forward to their debut in Japan this July.

When asked what it is like to dance for Tharpe he said, "She's a realist…she likes to put you on stage, push you further. She knows how to get the most out of the human body…the dancing gets harder and harder as the show progresses and she feels the more tired that you are, the more focused you become."

He calls the show a "great marriage of song and dance….We still sing the songs backstage."

He raved about being associated with Darren Holden who sings and plays the music. "His voice speaks for itself. We'll all very close. When Darren was singing in Canada for the benefit of the Gilda Radner Foundation, he invited the dancers to join him. He's a hysterical guy…a great man…so down to earth. There's a lot of love on and off the stage".

On Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, the Hippodrome will be full of Baltimore fans and relatives cheering the hometown hero. This is his very first performance as professional in Baltimore and he's having a blast. He loves the Hippodrome. After performing in huge arenas, he says it's a pleasure to perform here

During the remainder of the Baltimore run, cast members will be in the theater lobby after the show requesting donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. You may catch Snipe in the lobby with his bucket--be generous!

"Movin' Out" continues till Sunday night, March 19. Tickets are still available at 410-547-SEAT.