Adventure Theatre’s Hamilton Announces Retirement

Diane Hamilton, via Adventure Theatre MTC. Photo by Ryan Maxwell. Hamilton with Goldie Hawn Hamilton with former student and performing artist Matt Gardiner Hamilton with former Broadway performer Donna MacKechnie

A longtime theater teacher and choreographer will retire in June, after 27 years of teaching tap and directing students including actress Goldie Hawn, Tony Award winner Faith Prince and a number of Broadway performers.

Diane Hamilton, artistic director at the Adventure Theatre Musical Theatre Center in Glen Echo and Rockville, will hand over the reins of the program to artistic director Michael J. Bobbitt.

Hamilton tutored a host of performers who went on to pursue careers in Broadway, national tours and regional theater.

Nick Blaemire, who has performed in Broadway shows, began under Hamilton as a 14-year-old.

“I auditioned for her as an uncoordinated 14-year-old who could barely snap on beat, and she gave me a chance. Her support, kindness, and belief in my potential inspired me to no end, and when my I made my Broadway debut dancing in the musical “Cry-Baby,” she was there, cheering me on, and telling me stories of her new students,” Blaemire said. “When people compliment me on my dancing, I can never take the credit. It was all Diane.”

Hamilton began working with the Young Americans of Washington in 1986 as a choreographer and helped build the Musical Theater Center. She teaches tap and jazz at the Adventure Theatre Academy, which merged with the Musical Theater Center.

The theater will honor Hamilton next spring, an event that is expected to draw a wealth of former students back to the area.

She’ll continue to teach tap and choreography, but less frequently.

Photos via Adventure Theatre MTC

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