Presenter Profile

Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman

Guest Artist, POYDS Dance Company & KASH Dance & Choreography

At the age of 29, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman is a successful multi-branch dance entrepreneur and award-winning professional traveling choreographer with over 26 years of dance training and 14 years of choreography experience. Kayleigh is the founder and owner of POYDS Dance Company (AKA “Put On Your Dancing Shoes”) and KASH Dance & Choreography (AKA Kayleigh Schadwinkel Dance & Choreography). Recently, Kayleigh made her first choreographic Broadway debut this past June 2022 with her work being featured in the Arts For Autism Broadway Cabaret Production. Kayleigh’s POYDS Dance Company was the first studio in the state of Nebraska to have a LIVE virtual dance program established in 2019 prior to COVID-19. During the height of COVID, Kayleigh connected more than 23,000 individuals of all ages and dance backgrounds in 17 states in the US and 44 countries worldwide to put on their dancing shoes in her weekly online community dance classes. In just six years of establishing her own businesses, Kayleigh has choreographed over 450+ dances and 45+ musicals across the Midwest portion of the US including her choreographed work being featured in: – Arts for Autism Broadway Cabaret Performance – Gershwin Theater in New York City, New York – Harlem Globetrotters World Tour Event – Halftime Performance in Lincoln, NE – A music video in Chicago, IL – “Top 10 Musical in State of Nebraska” – Lincoln Southeast High School Production of “Once Upon A Mattress – Song of Love” and Selected as Invited Scene Showcase with choreo created and staged by KASH Dance & Choreography – Orpheum Theater – Omaha, Nebraska and Selected By Nebraska High School Theater Academy and Omaha Performing Arts High School Awards – A virtual Kids POMS Dance Team Choreography in San Diego, California – “Must See Community Theater Production In Local Area” – 2019 Community Production of “Be More Chill” at Lincoln Community Playhouse in Lincoln, NE – Top Honors Crete High School Show Choir – CBOBC Spooktacular Show Choir Festival in Council Bluffs, Iowa with Best Closer and Best Overall Choreography – Top Gold Honors with Gering High School Harmony Show Choir with awards at: Best of the Fest – Scottsbluff High School and Nebraska Choral Directors Association (NCDA) Show Choir Competition – Imperial, Nebraska – The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Invited Scene Showcase with “Mermaid Outta Of Me” from “Peter & The Starcatcher” performed by Doane University Theater Department in Des Moines, Iowa Kayleigh currently operates four branches located in two states, Nebraska and Colorado, along with her full-service Online Dance Studio. Kayleigh is most proud and humbled to have the opportunity every day to put on her dancing shoes alongside individuals of all ages, dance backgrounds, and skill levels to enjoy the wonderful art of dance.

Kayleigh's Workshops


    “Get Down” Six The Musical – Storytelling Through Advance Musical Theater Contemporary Hip Hop

    , Intermediate, Advanced / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    Get your groove on this fun, upbeat and sassy "Six The Musical" workshop to an all-time favorite "Get Down" where dancers of all skill levels and musical theater backgrounds are welcome to come move and groove! Dancers will learn beginner thru advanced hip hop techniques and choreography being taught in the industry including popping, locking, body isolations, and the importance of layering, levels, and more to create intricate pictures to dress the stage along with learn how to incorporate storytelling into their movements to further the plot along! Trust me, you don't want to miss this musical theater hip hop workshop!

    “It’s Too Darn Hot” – 1940’s Jazz Swing Fusion Musical Theater Dance Workshop

    , Intermediate, Advanced / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    Get your dancing shoes on and jump on into this fun, upbeat "Too Darn Hot" from Kiss Me, Kate 1940's jazz swing fusion musical theater dance workshop with Professional Traveling Choreographer, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman! You will be in for a good ole time within this workshop where dancers will learn 1940's swing dancing and classical jazz in this fun fusion workshop! Dancers will train to pick up choreography quickly in this audition style setting choreo workshop along with learn key tips and tricks to improve their choreography memorization for auditions, what directing teams are looking for in key dance ensemble members and ways to get consistently casted in shows! Trust me, you don't want to miss it! Get your swing shoes ready and join us for "Too Darn Hot" - 1940's Jazz Swing Fusion Musical Theater Dance Workshop!

    “Don’t Wait For It – Instead Take Hold Of Your Dance Auditions” – Musical Theater Hip Hop & Freestyle Creative Movement Workshop

    Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    We’ve all been in auditions that require improv, in which lack of experience or fear factor may have inhibited us from putting our best foot forward and expressing our true artistic self. Don’t we all wish we knew how to overcome that fear and awkwardness so we can sell out our dance improv every time and stand out from the crowd? We have the answer for you! In this workshop, dancers of all skill levels and musical theater backgrounds will learn the 3 key fundamental factors to have a successful improv session. Dancers will learn how to express and evoke emotion through their body language, presence, and stance to convey a message and use movement to further the plot of “Wait For It” from Hamilton. Dancers will learn beginner thru advanced hip hop techniques and choreography being taught in the industry including popping, locking, body isolations, and the importance of layering, levels, and more to create intricate pictures to dress the stage and to rock their dance auditions.

    Enjoy The Moment! – Just Singin & Dancin In The Rain! – Musical Theater Tap Fundamentals Workshop to Singing in The Rain The Musical

    Beginning, Intermediate, / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    Join us for this fun, joyful and uplifting tap workshop with Professional Traveling Choreographer, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman in this interactive tap workshop to one of the most iconic tap routines of all time,”Singing In The Rain”! In this workshop, dancers will learn basic tap fundamentals and immediately incorporate what they learn into the storytelling and prop work of this iconic tap routine. Dancers will also learn tips and tricks on ways to improve their choreography memorization, increase their dance technique and terminology, along with how to incorporate props into their dancing!

    Express Yourself! – “Waving Through A Window” from Dear Evan Hansen – Musical Theater Contemporary Fusion Dance Workshop

    Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    Dancers will learn how to express and evoke emotion through their body language, presence, and stance to convey a message and use movement to further the plot of “Waving Through A Window” from Dear Evan Hansen. Dancers will learn beginner thru advanced musical theater contemporary fused with modern hip hop techniques, Broadway jazz, and ensemble storytelling to create intricate and meaningful pictures to dress the stage to be storytelling ensemble members. Dancers will learn to incorporate these movements and improv techniques, which are being seen in the industry by some of the top and most modern theater productions to one of the most popular modern-day musicals of today!

    Get Your Groove On! – “Voulez Vou” from Mamma Mia! – Jazz Funk Musical Theater Dance Workshop

    Beginning, Intermediate, / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    Get your groove on this fun, upbeat, and groovy Mamma Mia! workshop where dancers of all skill levels and musical theater backgrounds are welcome! Dancers will learn beginner thru advanced hip hop techniques and choreography being taught in the industry including popping, locking, body isolations, and the importance of layering, levels, and more to create intricate pictures to dress the stage and to rock their dance auditions in this “Voulez Vou” hip hop and creative movement workshop!

    Look At Me…I’m The King Of New York! – Newsies Musical Theater Tap Workshop

    , Intermediate, Advanced / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    Join us for this fun, storytelling tap workshop with Professional Traveling Choreographer, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman in this interactive tap workshop to one of the most iconic dance shows of recent times, Newsies! Come be a king (or queen ;)) for an hour in this interactive and joyful tap workshop! Dancers will learn beginner thru advanced tap technique that is consistently seen throughout choreography along with learning tips and tricks on what casting directors in UPTA and competitive college auditions are seeking that you know. Dancers will learn tips and tricks on ways to improve their choreography memorization, increase their dance technique and terminology, and storytelling through dance! Trust me, you definitely want to seize the day and join us for this "King of New York" Musical Theater Tap Workshop!

    Storytelling Through Dance – “Cell Block Tango” – Musical Theater Classical Jazz

    , Intermediate, Advanced / , Dance, Musical Theatre, , , / Regular

    Get your dancing shoes on and jump on into this sassy, fun, technical "Cell Block Tango" choreo training workshop to an all time Broadway classic - Chicago! Dancers will learn fundamental jazz technique and musical theater ensemble work tips and tricks being taught in the Broadway industry of New York City along with working on key body isolation and storytelling through dance to illustrate the power and strength of this beloved ensemble number, "Cell Block Tango". Dancers will also learn ways to improve their choreography memorization for auditions, increase their dance technique and terminology, along with learn tips and tricks to confidently rock their dance auditions and callbacks! So what are you waiting for? Put On Your Dancing Shoes in “All That Jazz” Musical Theater Broadway Fosse Jazz Workshop!