Gail Benedict

Gail graduated from California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in Theatre & Dance. Her mentor, Donald McKayle,chose her as his assistant choreographer for her first Broadway show, Dr. Jazz. She spent over 20 years on the great white way performing leading roles in musicals (42nd Street, Me & My Girl, Dancin', Dr. Jazz, Pal Joey, Finian's Rainbow, etc.) and assisting other choreographers such as Bob Fosse, for whom she recreated his biggest hit "Dancin'" for the International and Bus & Truck companies for 6 years. She has appeared in feature films, soap operas, commercials, MTV videos, industrial shows and television specials, including the HBO's Salute to Broadway. She was cast in the Humana Festival of New American Plays in Louisville, KY where she eventually took a position at the Youth Performing Arts High School to inspire the next generation of young artists who dream of a career in the arts. She is currently the Musical Theatre Department chair at YPAS and is proud that dozens of her students have followed in her footsteps and are performing in professional venues all over the world.