Tony Award-winning Broadway actress, dancer and choreographer Ann Reinking will serve as Honorary Chair of the Board of Advisors for Columbus State University’s new dance program and the “Broadway Gala” fundraiser scheduled for later this year. CSU’s Department of Theatre will begin offering the dance minor in the fall with plans to eventually offer a major in dance.

Reinking won the 1997 Tony Award for best choreography for the revival of “Chicago” in which she reprised her role as Roxie Hart. She first starred in that role on Broadway in 1977.

“We appreciate the work of Patty Taylor and our advisory board in securing Ms. Reinking's support of our theatre department's dance program. This is another example of the College of the Arts’ national profile and potential for international recognition,” said College of Arts Dean Richard Baxter.

Reinking has been nominated for other Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Joan of Arc in “Goodtime Charley,” Best Featured Actress in a Musical for “Dancin’” and Best Director for “Fosse.” Other Broadway credits include her debut as Lulu in “Cabaret,” as well as critically acclaimed performances in “Over Here,” “A Chorus Line" and “Sweet Charity.”

In addition to her successful Broadway career, Reinking is known for her role as Daddy Warbucks’ secretary and would-be girlfriend Grace Farrell in the movie “Annie.” She starred opposite Dudley Moore in the film “Micki + Maude” and served as choreographer for the ABC television movie version of the Broadway musical “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Spring Swing, a dance party benefiting CSU's dance program, is scheduled for Friday, April 29 from 7 p.m. to midnight at Woodruff Park in downtown Columbus. Admission is $10 at the gate. Plans are still being developed for the Broadway Gala, which is scheduled for December 2.