Wedding Couples

I can’t thank you enough for your patience and understanding when it comes to dance instruction. We would highly recommend you to anyone who wishes to learn a dance for their Wedding.

– Mike and Tania Williams

Roberta was an amazingly patient teacher. I have “two left feet” and at times I felt my future husband was dancing circles around me. Roberta was very creative in working with my skill level. She made dancing fun and our wedding dance amazing!

- Nancy Shope

Students

…the Shakespeare class requires the student to dissect a prologue for Henry V. …how effortless it seems now. The difference between my abilities a year ago and my abilities now is undoubtedly your class.”

- Amanda Finney, LCC Theatre Major

Colleagues

Roberta Otten's love for teaching dance is evident the moment you step into her class. Her professional approach to each and every student along with her personal attention to detail make her knowledge of the modern dance technique accessible to everyone she teaches. Her ability to choreograph engaging and meaningful pieces for her students to perform both inside and out of the classroom gives her students something to strive for as the final outcome of their work with her.

- Vickie Diebold, Lead Dance Faculty
Lansing Community College

“Roberta is an amazing talent! Roberta was the movement consultant for the March 2006 production of “Dear Esther”, a very emotionally challenging story of the holocaust. Roberta not only helped to give us movement that gave a clear and powerful message during a number of sensitive scenes, but earned, in a very short time, well deserved respect from the cast and crew members alike.”

– Dan Pappas, Guest Director for Sunsets with Shakespeare

“…a knowledgeable and effective teacher of Movement for actors, as well as a gifted choreographer.”

– Andy Callis, Lead Theatre Faculty
Lansing Community College.

“Roberta’s dedication to her discipline is deep and passionate. I have seen her give enormous encouragement and support to the less than gifted student who seeks to improve their stage presence….very helpful in collaborative situations…willing to build on my concepts as a director and translate them into dance.”

– Mary Job Adjunct Theatre Faculty at Lansing Community College
and director of several Riverwalk Theatre Productions

“Roberta has an instinctual feel for what is needed in the production…an adept researcher. Her work is authentic and knits into the style of the production. Her pedagogy is superb.

– John Lennox PhD, Instructor of Theatre Arts
Lansing Community College, Director of Art of Combat

“With Roberta, the students always come first…extensive knowledge of the body…stunning dance sequences for Oscar Wilde’s “Salome”… a gifted performer.”

– Connie Curran-Oesterle, Adjunct Theatre Faculty, Lansing Community College, Professional Singer and Actress

“…an excellent Artistic Director and Choreographer.”

- Lisa Whiting, Stage Manager for LCC Dance Concerts

“…an extraordinarily efficient director "

– Melissa Kaplan, LCC Production Coordinator

“Roberta has a keen eye for detail in movement and body mechanics/alignment. She is a professional’s professional, a valuable resource for dance and theatre, a rock solid performer and a true inspiration as a teacher.”

- John MacDonald

Reviews

January 2007 City Pulse – “Regardless of the audience performance palate, January S’Moves should offer something to satisfy it. In “Chairology”, a playful featured piece, the chairs seemed to transcend their prop status and act as additional dancers onstage.” – Jillian Zylinski

June 2007 City Pulse review of Sunsets with Shakespeare production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: “Applause also goes to Roberta Otten, whose streamlined choreography allow the actors to look like experienced dancers.” – Ute VonDer Heyden

August, 2007 City Pulse review of “Julius Caesar”– “Taking on extra responsibilities is Roberta Otten, whose inspired dance choreography makes an appearance in the dream that her character, Calpurnia, describes to her husband, Caesar. Otten does a credible job both as actress and choreographer.” – Paul Wozniak

November 2007 – Kennedy Center/ACTF Region III Adjusicataors Response to LCC Production of “Salome”– “I was particularly impressed with the choreography and movement throughout the evening, which reached its high point with the dance number early in the evening. This was all a testament to the fine work and training that all of received from Roberta Otten. In short you looked good, and you made her look good when you moved.” – Dr. James M. Brandon, Hillsdale College

September 2006 City Pulse review of Sunsets with /Shakespeare production of “Jeffrey”: “The entire cast is at its best when performing a country hoedown fantasy imaginatively crafted by Roberta Otten.” – Paul Wozniak

January 2005 The State News (MSU) review of January S’Moves– “…provides a soul-lifting experience through the use of music and movement.” – Rashad Jackson