Generations of Performers Rise to the Phoenix Stage

For these Elon Performing Arts siblings, stage fright doesn’t run in the family. Take it

from two graceful B.F.A dancers Nicole (‘16) and Allison (‘19), gliding into the Elon

performance legacy makes McCrary Theater feel much more alive. Upon research, the

department has found that many siblings once singing backup have found their solo spotlight

here at Elon with the comfort of their loved brother or sister in the wings. Many sibling pairs

have journeyed through the program now both bearing the honorable badge of “Elon Performing

Arts Alum”. What are these shining stars up to in post-Elon life? Let’s find out.

Elon’s championed Musical Theater Program has been home to the wonderful Cara (‘18)

and Chris Mcniff (‘14), as well brother duo Jeffrey Todd Parrott (‘12) and Joshua Parrott (‘16).

Currently, Chris and Cara both reside in New York City where they are working ardently to

build their resumés. Chris recently finished his third year on a National Tour of Irving Berlin’s

White Christmas and is now rehearsing for a production of Hair at the Nebraska Repertory

Theater in Lincoln, NE where he’ll be playing the role of Claude. Cara, having just graduated

from Elon in 2018, was fortunate to have gone on to work as a performer at two different theme

parks until the end of October. She is now auditioning throughout NYC excited for what the

future holds.

Jeffrey Todd Parrott, now a member of Actors’ Equity, has been both performing and

teaching at renowned theaters such as Orlando Shakespeare, Asolo Repertory, and Saint

Michael’s Playhouse. In an effort to seek more education, he is a pursuing an MFA in Acting at

The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. His brother Joshua Parrott is following

a similar path. Having performed and taught artists at notable theaters such as Orlando
 Generations of Performers Rise to the Phoenix Stage

Shakespeare, Garden Theater, and Mad Cow Theater, Joshua is now pursuing further education

studying for his LSATs in hopes of working in entertainment law. The department wishes these

two the best of luck in their respective journeys.

Elon’s Dance Performance and Choreography Program have been graced with the

presence of sisters Meg (‘13) and Kara (‘16) Wagner, Nicole (‘16) and Allison Ivan (‘19), and

Aislinn (‘14) Fiona and (‘16). Dynamic duet Nicole and Allison Ivan both show great

admiration for what the dance program as done for them. Nicole has been dancing with

prominent, Pittsburgh based contemporary ballet company Bodiography for three years and is in

the process of applying to medical schools. Both the Ivan sisters can be credited for not just

excelling at the ballet barre, but in academia as well. Allison, soon to walk the Elon graduation

stage, shares that she has the Elon Dance Program to thank for her future endeavors, “Because of

Elon, I am pursuing my Masters in Accountancy at Wake Forest University next year where I

will be specializing in tax. If it wasn't for the Elon Dance Program’s wonderful training and

teachings, my sister and I wouldn't be who we are today, and because of that, I could not be more

grateful for this program or for this faculty."

On a different note, sisters Meaghan and Kara Wagner are now on contrasting paths in

their careers after having both received the same BFA training here at Elon. Meg right after her

time at Elon in 2013 found herself teaching technique classes while gathering the needed credits

for physical therapy school. She is currently finishing her last semester in the doctoral of

Physical Therapy program at the University of Maryland Eastern. Upon graduation, Meg is

looking forward to practicing physical therapy, specifically with the performing arts community.
 Generations of Performers Rise to the Phoenix Stage

Kara after completing both a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a BA Strategic

Communications attended Elon’s iMedia program obtaining her Master’s Interactive Media. She

is now finishing her second season in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens in their Digital Media

Department.

Graduating from Elon in 2014 with a double major in Dance Performance and

Choreography and Communications, Aislinn leaped into more education attending Seton Hall

University of Law and is now a Law Clerk for The Honorable Terry Paul Bottinelli, J.S.C in the

Superior Court of New Jersey in Bergen County. Fiona, on the other hand, after her training at

Elon moved to Orlando, Florida in hopes of dancing for the Walt Disney Company. She now

dances in a multitude of different performances at Walt Disney World. The Koch sisters feel

their experience at Elon, especially in the Dance Performance and Choreography program was

invaluable. They hope more siblings have as wonderful of a time as they did completely the Elon

experience together.

Elon’s Acting Program has felt the emotional range of splendid sisters Rachel (‘19) and

Rebekah Pusey (‘21). The only siblings to ever both train in Elon’s Acting Program, these sisters

come from a family of eight and were surprised and nervous to study at the collegiate level

together. Rachel now finishing out her senior year at Elon is furthering her training in the BFA

Acting program and with theatrical intimacy education and this year worked on her second

mainstage production here at Elon the first being Once on this Island then Arcadia. Following in

Rachel’s soon to be left legacy Rebekah is also worked passionately on Arcadia alongside her.

She is also preparing to study abroad in London. Rebekah is elated to have pursued an Elon BFA
 Generations of Performers Rise to the Phoenix Stage

with her sister feeling they have grown closer and established a deeper family connection, “It's

been wonderful to talk about the industry, technique, and what being a strong actor is in today's

world with my sister. I now couldn't imagine my Elon University acting experience any other

way.”

The Performing Arts Department here at Elon continues to expand and is thankful for the

sibling legacies that have trained under and graced these artistic programs.

Nicole and Allison Ivan embracing at this years Senior Thesis Showcase.