MAD Mission- Welcome to MAD Performing Arts
At MAD Performing Arts, our mission is to provide students of all ages and backgrounds with a positive arts education while helping them achieve their personal goals. We strive to provide excellent technique, self- discipline, an appreciation for, and love of each art form through positive reinforcement in a non-competitive, professional atmosphere. It is our mission to consciously create a healthy environment where our dancers are encouraged to truly connect, both socially and artistically. We help cultivate confidence, positive self-image, and a happy work ethic, as students build friendships that will last a lifetime.From Ballet to Hip Hop, BBoy to Salsa, Musical Theatre to Acro, MAD Dance is the Miami based performing arts Academy specializing in singing, acting, dancing and musical theatre classes for people from all walks of life.
Offering after-school and evening classes to weekend and morning classes, our team of experienced professionals from dance, theatre, film and television deliver expert, hands- on MAD instruction.
From beginner through advanced and master level classes, MAD Dance’s exciting mix of expert instruction, practical experience and live performances have been designed to enhance your artistic potential. Want to sing like a pro, perform in a Broadway show or immerse yourself in a Street Dance master class? With over 100 classes and courses to choose from, MAD Dance has the perfect course for you.
So why be normal? GO MAD!
Cherilyn Marrocco
Artistic Director
Cherilyn Marrocco - Artistic Director/Owner
Cherilyn began her career in the Miami area. She received a BFA from New World School of the Arts/University of Florida Music Theater Program. A native of Miami, Mrs. Marrocco trained at the age of 4 at the Ballet Academy of Miami under the direction of Tony Catanzaro and Lizette Piedra. She then received a full scholarship at Miami City Ballet in 1995 and trained with renowned masters Edward Villella, Violette Verdy, Vladimir Issaev, and Nancy Raffa. In 1997 she was awarded a full scholarship to Belvoir Terrace, a Performing Arts Camp for Girls in Lenox, MA. At Belvoir, Mrs. Marrocco trained with master teachers and mentor Michelle Benash, Carolyn Lanfredi, Pedro Ruiz, Nancy Bielski, Chris Lee, Chet Walker, and Milton Myers.
Her Ballet repertoire includes such classics as George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, Sleeping Beauty, Serenade, Paquita, Valse Fantaise, Concerto Barrocco, Who Cares, Raymonda, Carmen, Who Care's, as well as a wide variety of modern and contemporary works including Pedro Ruiz’s masterpiece “Places of the Heart” at Jacob’s Pillow in 2004. Mrs. Marrocco has performed at such venues as the International Hustle and Salsa Competition and was a Dancesation company member for over 5 years under the direction of world champions Katie Marlow and Billy Fajardo. She has also had the privilege of singing John Rutter’s Requiem at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Candace Wicke.
Ms. Marrocco’s Theater credits include: Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel, Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Ilona Ritter in She Loves Me, The Witch in Into the Woods, Iris in No Dogs Allowed, White Christmas the Musical, Angela in Fools Paradise, Godspell in NJ and as the unforgettable Little Sally in Urinetown the Musical at Actors Playhouse in which she was nominated for a Carbonell Award at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in 2007.
Cherilyn Marrocco was the Director of Dance/Choreographer for Miami Children's Theater in 2010 and the Magnet dance faculty member at Hialeah Senior High for 4 years. Over the past decade, Mrs. Marrocco has taught in many dance companies and schools throughout South Florida and the Northeast. She began teaching at the Ballet Academy of Miami and New Image Dance Company. Other Dance schools and academies she has taught in are Miami City Ballet, the MCT Dance Conservatory, the University of Miami, Actors Playhouse Theater Conservatory, Broadway Musical Theater in Key Biscayne, Center Tone Music School, MJM Productions Music School in Westfield, NJ, and Belvoir Terrace, a performing Arts Camp for girls in Lenox, MA. and the Dance Now Summer program jazz/musical theater instructor.
Aside from teaching dance, voice, and theater, Mrs. Marrocco has been choreographing for over 20 years. Her choreographic works include: LEGALLY BLONDE, ANNIE JR., SEUSSICAL JR., FAME, DROWSY CHAPERONE, ON THE TOWN, EVITA, GUYS AND DOLLS, GREASE, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, THE WIZ, HAIRSPRAY, excerpts from WEST SIDE STORY, KISS ME KATE, DEAR EDWINA, WILLY WONKA JR., ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, URINETOWN THE MUSICAL, A CHORUS LINE and JERRY HERMAN’s TRIBUTE at the University of Miami to name a few.
Mrs.Marrocco is the Dance Team and Broadway Company Director at MAD. In 2016, she was awarded the Best Director in South Florida through Access Broadway an acclaimed Regional Competition. She has choreographed over 100 new works and has helped numerous students get into Arts schools such as MAC and New World School of The Arts. She has MAD alumni who have continued on the Performing Arts journey and are attending schools such as Carnegie Mellon, The Boston Conservatory and New World School of the Arts to name a few.
As a choreographer and teacher, she uses her extensive performance experience – ranging from jazz, tap and lyrical to ballet, hip hop and musical theater – to create high energy and motivational classes that push her students to new heights.
MAD Faculty
MAD Events
- June 2nd is officially MAD Dance Miami Day in South Florida! The Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners in 2012 saluted MAD Dance with a Proclamation.
- MAD Dance performs Half Time shows for the Miami Heat!
- MAD Dance performs at the Miami International Book Fair!
- Students get a chance to participate in the Art Deco Weekend Festival.
- The Hip Hop MADness Crew is getting a chance to audition for "America's Got Talent"!
- MAD Dance performs at the Coral Gables Tree Lighting Ceremony!
MAD Dance Facility
MAD Dance and Musical Theater now has an array of classes in 2 different locations! First location situated in North Miami 645 NE 125th st. A Block away from MOCA! The second location is at the beautiful Little Haiti Cultural Center 212-260 NE 59 Terrace
"The Mission of the Little Haiti Cultural Center (LHCC) is to provide a space that brings together people and ideas to promote, showcase and support Afro-Caribbean culture in South Florida."The Little Haiti Cultural Center offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to gain exposure to Afro-Caribbean culture, entertain and develop a new talent, and expand their knowledge of the arts. We are committed to providing activities for the community that promotes imagination, creativity, and positive experiences for children and adults throughout the year
The Little Haiti Cultural Center (LHCC) is a 20,000sqft cultural facility that features a spacious courtyard entrance with a distinctive Afro-Caribbean design. Within this attractive setting, the venue coordinates private gatherings, special events and performances.
The LHCC offers various community activities such as live performances, concerts, shows, arts and ceramic classes, dance (ballet, modern, Afro Brazilian, African, Haitian Folklore, etc) classes, and educational courses for the youngest residents to seniors. Additional features:
- State-of-the Art black box theater
- Art gallery
- Several Art Studios
- Dance Studios
- 3 multi-purpose rooms for educational and personal enrichment programs
The 270-seat Theatre at Little Haiti Cultural Center provides a dynamic opportunity for playwrights and actors to develop new works; create live theatre and film. We support all cultures and levels of theatrical performances, with combined artistry of professionals and community collaborators. We encourage students to get involved as young actors and writers, conveying the stories of their own communities on stage and through film.