By Kristen Lowrey
Assistant A & E Editor
“Buffalo, buffalo, wings wings.” To most people this might sound like the appetizer special at Chili’s, but to sophomore Hayley McClelland these words have a different meaning as tap dancing steps.
McClelland began her extensive relationship with show business at the age of three when she became hooked on dancing. She later picked up singing and acting several years later, although, dancing continues to be an extensive part of her life.
“Dancing was like my first love,” McClelland said. “My passion lies in tap dancing, but I do all types.”
McClelland most recently helped choreograph for United Colors, Psi Upsilon and Friends’ Songfest production “Chicago.” McClelland joined seniors Katie Ebeling, Chris Collins and Jeremy Johnson to produce the Sweepstakes-winning show.
“It was a blessing for me to get to work with them and build the relationships,” McClelland said.
The group’s show took place at a factory in Chicago during prohibition. As one of the largest groups in Songfest, McClelland and the other directors used the large group to their benefit
“Chris Collins asked me to do Songfest,” McClelland said. “I think it was a collaboration of the four of us in choreographing the show, every once in awhile one of us would step up.”
With the excitement of winning Songfest still lingering in the air, McClelland is unsure of her next endeavor in theater.
“It’s so hard to say what my future plans are because over the past two years I’ve just soaked up whatever opportunities have come my way,” McClelland said.
Since her arrival at Pepperdine, McClelland has used her talents in several different productions. McClelland’s acting was highlighted in “Talking With,” which ran in Raitt Recital Hall. She has also participated extensively in Dance in Flight for the past two years.
McClelland’s favorite production was playing the lead role of Peggy Sawyer in “42nd Street” last semester. The musical allowed McClelland to shine in singing, acting and dancing.
“The opportunity to be in ‘42nd Street’ on Broadway, that would be my dream role,” McClelland said.
She recently changed her major from theater to liberal arts with an emphasis in theater, which will allow McClelland to pursue both her dreams of performing and teaching. McClelland has also placed great importance on having a family in the future similar to the family she grew up in.
She is close to her parents and brother, who live in her home state of Missouri. When at home in Kansas City, McClelland has worked at the Starlight Theatre, an 8,000-person amphitheater where she first took the stage in “The Wizard of Oz.”
After numerous productions and auditions, McClelland was sure that she would end up in New York after high school. However, her senior year she began to consider schools in Los Angeles. Although she was accepted to both USC and UCLA’s prestigious theater programs, McClelland chose to come to Pepperdine, a school she knew very little about at the time.
“God led me here,” McClelland said. “My heart totally gravitated towards this school.”
McClelland has already made her impression on Pepperdine’s theater department and hopes to continue to be involved in various productions despite her change in major.
By participating in a variety of entertainment areas, McClelland allows herself to experience things as they come along. With the assistance of her manager in the area and an agent in New York, McClelland is always looking for cool productions to audition for whether she gets the part or not.
“I used to try and think about what they wanted so it was almost like I was hurting myself,” said McClelland of the auditioning process.
“You work on perfecting your craft and being the best you can be,” McClelland said. “For me it’s in God’s hands.
CAPTION: Photo by Jennifer Flannery
HAPPY FEET: McClelland met her “first love” dancing at the age of three. Although she participates in all types of dance, she says tapping is her favorite.
March 21, 2002