Our Company: Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap
Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap is New Orleans' Premier Rhythm Tap Dance Company whose mission is to celebrate, promote, and preserve America’s indigenous dance form in the birthplace of jazz, and to share with the community the amazing experience that blending the two American art forms can illuminate.
Emmy Award Winning Artistic Director and principal choreographer, Heidi Malnar, directs the three divisions of the company: Professional, Pre-Professional, and Junior in training, choreography, and performance. In addition to our diverse group of dancers, Theatre on Tap is proud to share the stage with our Live Jazz Ensemble.
We believe that rhythm is universal, and that tap dancing is accessible to people of all ages and levels of experience; and we offer first-hand opportunities through classes, workshops, master classes, company memberships, and live performances with the hopes of uniting diverse individuals through the power of shared rhythm.
Stay connected to learn about our exciting season of auditions, Launch and Preview Party, Valentine’s Day weekend show: LOVE TAPS: An Evening of Romance & Rhythm, classes and workshops, and many more exciting events and opportunities!
Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap is New Orleans' Premier Rhythm Tap Dance Company whose mission is to celebrate, promote, and preserve America’s indigenous dance form in the birthplace of jazz, and to share with the community the amazing experience that blending the two American art forms can illuminate.
Emmy Award Winning Artistic Director and principal choreographer, Heidi Malnar, directs the three divisions of the company: Professional, Pre-Professional, and Junior in training, choreography, and performance. In addition to our diverse group of dancers, Theatre on Tap is proud to share the stage with our Live Jazz Ensemble.
We believe that rhythm is universal, and that tap dancing is accessible to people of all ages and levels of experience; and we offer first-hand opportunities through classes, workshops, master classes, company memberships, and live performances with the hopes of uniting diverse individuals through the power of shared rhythm.
Stay connected to learn about our exciting season of auditions, Launch and Preview Party, Valentine’s Day weekend show: LOVE TAPS: An Evening of Romance & Rhythm, classes and workshops, and many more exciting events and opportunities!
Heidi Malnar is an Emmy and four-time Big Easy Award winning dancer and choreographer from Chicago. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap - New Orleans' premier rhythm tap company who most recently performed at Jazz Fest 2017 and produced “Hoofing for Heroes” and “Love Taps”. Currently teaching at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Columbia College Chicago. She most recently choreographed "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Pictures of Marilyn" at The National WWII Museum’s BB’s Stage Door Canteen as well as Le Petit’s productions of “Pippin,” for which she was also nominated for a Big Easy Award for Choreography. Heidi has also choreographed local productions of “42nd Street,” and “Spamalot” at Rivertown Theaters. In Chicago she performed with Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, directed by Billy Siegenfeld, and Chicago Tap Theatre, directed by Mark Yonally. Before moving to New Orleans Heidi enjoyed her faculty position at Carthage College. She has enjoyed teaching positions at Tulane University, New Orleans Ballet Association, and Encore Studios in New Orleans. Before moving to New Orleans, Heidi enjoyed her faculty position at Carthage College where her choreography for “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” received a Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Certificate of Merit for her work. Since coming to New Orleans only two years ago, she has become fully invested in dance education and choreography at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), Tulane University, Encore Studio of Dance, Tumbling, Music & Theatre, New Orleans Ballet Association, St. Martin’s Episcopal School, BB's Stage Door Canteen at The National WWII Museum, Le Petit Theatre and Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts.