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Horne exits as Muse director
The Nat Horne era is coming to a close at the Muse Machine.
The veteran Broadway dancer, teacher, choreographer and director has announced his retirement as co-director of the arts education organization’s annual winter student musical at the Victoria Theatre.
He has taught and directed thousands of Miami Valley students in almost 20 years of extended annual visits from New York, where he lives.
Horne’s Muse Machine debut was working with teachers in the 1989 summer workshop. Founder Suzy Bassani asked him to return to direct the student show.
He choreographed the 1992 production of South Pacific alongside director Al Reyes and music director David Dusing. Reyes died in ‘93. Starting with “Oliver” that year, Horne and Dusing have done the annual musicals until now.
Horne, who will turn 80 in December and recently underwent a knee replacement surgery, announced his plans at a recent Muse Machine reception.
“I always wanted to put smiles on people’s faces. Through my dances and traveling, I have done that and I have enjoyed it so much,” he said.
“There’s no place in the world like the Muse Machine. It has produced so much talent and given me so much knowledge about myself.”
He plans to return to New York “and start the next chapter of my life.”
Lula Elzy of New Orleans, who has assisted Horne in Dayton since 2000, will return to work on the next show in January 2010.
“It’s impossible to express how much we will miss Nat’s daily presence. He is both friend and family, which will not change for the rest of our lives,” said Doug Merk, Muse Machine producer and director of student programs.
“David, Lula and I have varied backgrounds, but all of us were mentored by Nat. Muse shows will be influenced by Nat for years to come.”
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Comments
By Joel Tobey
May 12, 2009 8:48 PM | Link to this
I will miss Nat at Muse Machine and wish him the best. The new director will have some big shoes to fill. Good luck!