More THD Alumni Making Their Way: Jenny Laroche and Angela Sauers

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Jenny Laroche is a THD dance alumna and recipient of the Distringuished Alumni Award who has been working professionally in New York City since 2014. Jenny began her career as a Radio City Rockette, which helped land her screen debut in the movie New Years Eve. Her feature film credits also include Annie 2014, The Merry Widow HD Live, and Netflix special by Bill Murray, A Very Murray Christmas.

Most recently Laroche was part of the dance cast of NBC's live production of the musical Annie on December 2, 2021, starring Celina Smith in the title role of Annie, with Tariji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, and Nicole Scherzinger as Grace. Production choreography was by Bill T. Jones, also known for his work on Spring Awakening, and as long-standing artistic director of Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Dance.

Jenny Laroche is also well known for her recurring role of Sue in the drama series Smash on NBC, produced by Steven Spielberg.  She has worked with recording artist such as Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Liza Minnelli. She has also worked under the direction of Baz Luhrmann in The Great Gatsby Premiere event.

Additional television credits include The Tony Awards 70th Anniversary, Jimmy Fallon, SNL40, America’s Got Talent, Best Time Ever, The Wendy Williams Show, The Today Show, TVLAND Awards, and the Billboard Awards.

Angela Sauers fell in love with dance and theatre at a young age. After seeing her first live show at the age of four, she told her mom that she wanted to be a dancer, and never once changed her mind. She studied tap, jazz, and ballet and went on to study dance and musical theatre, earning a Dance BFA with UB Theatre and Dance. 

Since graduation Angela has been based in New York City where she  performs, auditions, and works as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. Over the past few years Sauers has been in and out of the city touring in productions across the country, including A Chorus Line, 42nd St, Sweet Charity, White Christmas, Swing!, and The Producers.  

Most recently, Sauers is set make her Off-Broadway debut in the world premiere of Black No More, which opens in January 2022 at the New Group in the The Pershing Square Signature Center on 42nd Street.

In a recent Instagram post Sauers wrote, "Yes, I’m crying as I write this... The ratio of jobs to talented performers is ridiculously unbalanced, and while it’s always been challenging in this biz, it’s even more so now since Covid.

"To my fellow artists who are juggling multiple jobs and busting your ass to get self tapes in, take class, and pay for it all while juggling life…I see you, I feel you (I am you). You’re amazing. Keep going. I hope reading this encourages you and proves that persistence and dedication really DO pay off. If it can happen for me, it can happen for you."

Theatre and Dance sends its best wishes and congratuations to both Jenny and Angela, and we hope their careers in New York City will continue to be prosperous and long.