Michele Dunleavy

Professor, Dance, Penn State College of Arts and Architecture School of Theatre
2024-25 Penn State University Laureate
​Choreographer for the For Good Troupe

Michele is honored to be part of such an extraordinary organization and excited to focus her efforts on the For Good Troupe! She also interacts with CRDSS performers through Let’s Dance! – the community movement workshop sponsored by Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts. Michele works in a variety of dance forms including tap, jazz, and modern, and her choreography has been presented in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, NYC, Maryland, and West Virginia.

​Michele was named the 2024-25 Penn State Laureate. Established in 2008, this honor is bestowed annually on a full-time faculty member in the arts or humanities. Michele has choreographed many musicals for Penn State Centre Stage including American Idiot, Rent, and The Wild Party. Her work with For Good provides an opportunity to share skills honed over 25 years of teaching, creating and performing dance. Michele says, "It’s been rewarding getting to know our Troupe and discovering opportunities for collaboration and joyful creativity."