ABBY HAMMER
Let me tell you more...
Below you'll learn more about where I'm from, what I'm up to now, and everything in between!
GROWING UP IN IOWA
For me, home is Sioux City, Iowa. My mom and grandma, two of my greatest inspirations, were both dance coaches, so I was essentially born into the art. I continued to fall in love with dance of all styles and eventually fell in love with musical theater when one of my dance teachers encouraged my bestfriend and I to audition for a community theater production of Spamalot. That show, plus a trip to New York City at twelve years old, sold me on pursuing a career in this industry and I haven't looked back since!
STAR DANCE COMPANY
For the past three years, I have had the incredible opportunity to perform with Oklahoma City University's Star Dance Company at the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment. Within this company, I have been involved in winter productions of The Holiday Spectacular, spring productions of Move! as well as many fun smaller gigs, my favorite being Safari Lights at the Oklahoma City Zoo. This company has given me the opportunity to learn how to be a featured dancer, line captain, and swing!
OCU SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE
The summer before my senior year of high school, I fell in love with Oklahoma City University and the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment while attending the summer dance intensive. This past summer, I was able to watch nearly 70 high schoolers do the same as an RA. I am excited to be returning this summer to fulfill the same role!
UDA STAFF
Dance team has been a large part of my life since I was born. In high school, I attended UDA camp as a camper, and this past summer I returned as a member of the UDA staff! As a staff member, I have the opportunity to teach repertoire to high schoolers across the nation and lead them through technique classes and team-building activities. The UDA network is vast, and I am grateful for the people I have met through the organization!
RECENT MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS
This past summer, I played Mona in a production of Chicago at New Stage Players. In addition to performing, I also served as the choreographer!
Aside from Chicago, my favorite show to perform has been SpongeBob the Musical! By far one of the best ensemble shows in my opinion ◡̈
In the fall of 2024, I had the opportunity to collaborate with my good friend, Lorelai Byers, to choreograph Oklahoma City University's spotlight production of The Drowsy Chaperone, directed by Karen Miller. The rehearsal process for that show was one of my favorite projects to date!
NEW YORK CITY
In 2017, my dance teacher, Tracy Bennett, bravely took a group of 7 middle school and high school-aged dancers to experience New York City and all that it has to offer. We took classes at Broadway Dance Center, saw many shows, and hit all of the touristy spots. Since falling in love during that trip, I have returned to the city at least ten times and plan to move there at some point post-grad. In 2024, my best friend and I spent a month in New York and attended Broadway Dance Center's Musical Theater Intensive, where we had the opportunity to work with the amazing Rachel Leigh Dolan on a concept video shoot entitled "Jingo."
GAMMA PHI BETA
My freshman year of college, I went through formal recruitment at Oklahoma City University and joined Gamma Phi Beta. This organization has made me a better leader, friend, and mentor, and helped me create bonds that I know will be with me for the rest of my life! Since joining Gamma Phi Beta, I have served as our internal social chair, where I planned formal social events, our Philanthropy chair, where I helped raise money for our Philanthropic partner, Girls on the Run, and now as our Public Relations Vice President, where I oversee everything PR related in our chapter.
FURRY FRIENDS!
Back home in Iowa, I have two adorable and loving cats named Jasper and Gatsby! Jasper came from my grandparents' farm when I was in middle school, and Gatsby, like cats tend to do, stumbled upon our house one day and decided he was ours. They were hesitant about one another at first, but now they are best friends!
CONCERTS
Music is one of the most important things in my life, and I have been lucky enough to see many of my favorite artists live! Here are some pictures from Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Noah Kahan, Hozier, The Lumineers, Earth Wind & Fire, and Conan Gray.
In just a few weeks, I will get to see one of my bucket list performers, Bruno Mars, playing music from his new album, The Romantic.
Although it'll never happen, I would give almost anything to see Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson live.
FREE TIME ◡̈
I love to stay busy, so free time is few and far between, but I do know the importance of taking time to slow down. I am lucky enough to have some of the greatest friends in the world and enjoy spending time with them whenever I get the chance. Star gazing on top of my Jeep, watching the sunset, playing spikeball, and going line dancing are all activities that help me recharge and feel fulfilled.