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Teaching Artistry
In 2021, I started teaching a few dance classes as a way to stay creative in response to the pandemic. I never knew it would lead me to the most rewarding endeavors of my career. It led me to a place on the leadership team at Forevermore Dance and Theatre Arts as their Music and Theater Manager for three seasons. I've since taught dance and theater courses at Chicago Music and Acting Academy, Momentum Performing Arts, Wagner Summer Theater, Old Town School of Folk Music, Soul 2 Sole Dance Inc., and Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts. I now hold a teaching artist position at The Chicago High School for the Arts, teaching in both their Music and Theater conservatories and leading productions, camps, and extracurricular activities. It's an honor and pleasure to collaborate with such amazing young people that light a spark of inspiration for me to bring into my own artistic work.
Project highlights
Upcoming Projects 25-26
Laugh Now, Therapy Later
A Sketch Revue debuting at The Second City Jan. 2026
Assistant Director, Writer, and Actor
In the Heights
ChiArts Mainstage Spring Production - March 2026
Assistant Director/Stage Manager
the laramie project
The Chicago High School for the Arts
2025 Fall Mainstage Production
Director - Rylie Ann Taylor
Dramaturg - Cecelia Pinto
Scenic Designer - Mark Vences
Our cast of 16 incredible young artists diligently prepared and executed the true story of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard in this documentary-style play written and crafted by Moises Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Company. Together we explored queer history and dug into questions and themes regarding acceptance, exploitation, religious intolerance, and community.
"To the faculty and production team: Thank you for creating a space where our artists could explore such important material with care and intention. Your guidance, your mentorship, and your unwavering belief in our students made this moment possible."
- Dr. Greer Reed, Artistic Director of ChiArts
Director's Note
once on this island jr.
The Chicago High School for the Arts
Sophomore Musical Theater Curtain Call Production
Director, Co-Choreographer - Rylie Ann Taylor
Music Director - Chloe Belongilot
Co-Choreographer - Dereque Withers
Technical Director - Mark Vences
Applying their technical skills from Acting II, Vocal Technique II, and Dance II, the sophomore MTs spent their spring semester in rehearsals for their Curtain Call production of Once On This Island Jr. As a small, but mighty cast, we explored themes of love, loss, sacrifice, colorism, colonization, and faith in this heartfelt adaptation of a story known all too well.
Wagner summer theater
Teaching Artists - Rylie Ann Taylor and Kyle Anthony Cortés
Des Moines, Iowa
Artistic Directors - Lisa and Dave Wagner
My partner and I have traveled to Des Moines for the past 3 summers as leading guest clinicians for Wagner Summer Theater's classes, workshops, and intensives. Our most prominent project being the Broadway Master Class Intensive, an auditioned week-long intensive developed for students 12-16 who are looking to pursue the performing arts professionally. We lead lessons in vocal technique, music theory, acting, audition prep, dance, and business, while also inviting current Broadway educators and performing to virtually lead 1-on-1 master classes with each student. We've recently expanded our summer time in Iowa to include summer camps in comedy, improv, and general musical theater for younger performers.
Program Highlights
Junie B. Jones the musical
Forevermore Dance and Theatre Arts
Spring Mainstage Musical 2025
Madison Street Theater
Director/Choreographer - Rylie Ann Taylor
Music Director - Kyle Anthony Cortés
Our students had a blast learning this fun and fresh take on a beloved set of stories from my own childhood! We catered to the younger performers of our community with this spring production of Junie B. Jones Jr. During the rehearsal process, we partnered with our neighbors at Dunning Public Library to host a sneak peak performance of our show and lead a free theater class for all ages in their event room to promote childhood literacy and Forevermore Arts - a win-win!
Forevermore Arts - Music and Theater
Photos by Dacota Schwarte
high school musical jr.
Forevermore Dance and Theatre Arts
Summer Camp Production 2024
Madison Street Theater
Director/Choreographer - Rylie Ann Taylor
Co-Music Director - Kyle Anthony Cortés
Co-Music Director - Allison Bystron
Nothing like a iconic Disney movie to get the kiddos moving and grooving all summer long! Our rehearsal process was three weeks of non-stop pop-pom, basketball, and lunch tray choreography as we prepared for a two-show day with an audience full of supportive family and community members. We also led a Sneaker Drive with "GotSneakers" leading up to auditions to collect over 100 pairs of new or gently used shoes for donations or recycling to promote eco-friendly habits and provide clothing for those in need.
Sydney Gendron Photography
The wizard of oz
Forevermore Dance and Theatre Arts
Spring Mainstage Production 2024
Madison Street Theater
Director/Choreographer - Rylie Ann Taylor
Co-Music Director - Kyle Anthony Cortés
Co-Music Director - Allison Bystron
Sydney Gendron Photography
Matilda Jr.
Forevermore Dance and Theatre Arts
Summer Camp Production 2024
The Chopin Theatre
Director/Choreographer - Rylie Ann Taylor
Co-Music Director - Kyle Anthony Cortés
Co-Music Director - Allison Bystron
Kelly Allison Studio
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