Artist Spotlight - Madison Draper

She’s a choreographer, dancer, actor, singer, percussionist and 4th grade teacher. Our June Artist Spotlight, Madison (Madi) Draper, can do it all, and more! Outside of teaching for Watertown School District, Madi is also the assistant director at Rhonda’s Footeworks, which her mother, Rhonda Foote, has been running for 36 years. Madi dedicates a decent portion of her time to choreography, and though she isn’t always able to perform the routines herself, her experience in teaching has allowed her to effectively communicate what she sees in her brain to her students, or to actors in local theater productions.

She has been in her fair share of local productions. Before attending JCC she was a part of Stage Notes, as well as the Watertown High Select Choir. She has also appeared in Watertown Lyric Theater productions, with her last performance being White Christmas. But Madi also enjoys being a percussionist, which she says goes hand-in-hand with her dancing abilities. “Tapping is like playing percussion but with your feet”, Madi told Joe. She currently is participating in the community band run by Dan Moser that rehearses at Trinity Church on Thursdays. Though being a teacher and dance director take up a decent portion of her time, Madi says that, if she was able, she would like to sing again, especially in a choir.

When asked about how she sees her performing arts community, Madi brought up her relationship with a direct competitor, Heather Miner of Dance World, who also happens to be in Downtown Watertown just like Rhonda’s Footeworks. Being such a small community, Madi spoke positively of the ability for her and Heather to maintain a friendly and professional relationship and even collaborate on events.

As a well-rounded performing artist and class act, Madi reminds us to remember that silence is part of rhythm, and she looks forward to a time when all performing arts get equal treatment in her community. Find out more about Madi by visiting the links below!