Arts in the Family
Marc and Anne Wayne of Overland Park are professional performing artists raising seven talented children: they all sing, five are in theater, four dance, one makes films and two play piano. Ranging in age from 17 to 2 years, Caleb, Mikayla, Noah, Madeline, Zion, Elisabeth and Emma have all experienced the ups and downs that accompany the performing arts. Thankfully, their parents bring more than 30 years of stage experience to the family table.
Marc is a widely respected dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, director, educator and speaker whose experience includes music videos, video series, movies, musicals and five U.S. tours. Titles include Carman’s Raising the Standard, Aida (choreographer), Fiddler on the Roof (director, choreographer) and Kansas City’s Störling Dance Theater’s Prodigal Daughter, Butterfly and many others. Carman, Willie Aames, Amy Grant and Ben Vereen are among the many artists with whom he has worked and shared the stage.
Anne Wayne also trained in Chicago dance studios, including the Conservatory of American Dance. She danced the role of “Princess” in a touring production of The Young Hunter and performed with the Chicago Orchestra in Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Her performance in Störling Dance Theater’s Butterfly elicited rave reviews, including this from the Kansas City Star: “…[Wayne’s] incredible performance …shook the audience to the core.”
Working all over the Metro with different organizations including The Culture House, Christian Youth Theatre, Coterie Theatre and Leawood Stage Company, Marc particularly enjoys working with youth of all ages to “affirm their purpose and transform that confidence into their performance of art and life.” Since 2005, The Culture House in Olathe, where Marc and Anne teach ballet, jazz and tap, has served as the Waynes’ second home. Although Anne really enjoys teaching, she considers raising their children the most rewarding role she has played.
Now, with their seven children, performing arts has truly become a family affair: The Waynes recently performed together at Pawnee Elementary School in Overland Park. The dance-based assembly incorporated dialogue, a variety of dance forms and audience participation. An encore performance is planned that will include song, character development, academics and health. They are also working together to develop their own production company, Marc Wayne Productions.
Servant Artists
Juggling the talents and interests of seven children is truly a production in and of itself. Communication and their faith are the keys to keeping it all together and trying to meet everyone’s needs, says Marc. Yet, he admits, sometimes they just have to say “No.” Anne and Marc talk with each child about the disappointments and accomplishments that come with the arts. “We’ve had to work through the issue of the boys getting more opportunities than the girls because there are simply more girls in the performing arts,” recalls Marc.
The benefits outweigh these challenges, however. Marc and Anne relish watching their children grow in confidence, responsibility, productive thinking and creativity. They are also developing a strong work ethic, learning commitment, follow-through and respect for others.
“It is thrilling to watch them on stage, in their element, and being amazing at it,” boasts Marc. The strong friendships among their fellow students are “a foundation of ‘life’ support … around them.” The children are not the only ones to benefit from this family endeavor—Marc and Anne have both experienced growth as artists and educators.
Service to the audience is another component Anne and Marc emphasize with their children. They encourage performers to focus on the human connection between the performer and the audience—what they can give to the audience, rather than their own desires and ambitions. Marc explains: “Remembering the serving artist model helps keep our disappointments and accomplishments in proper perspective. It keeps us humble and thankful.”
Faith is a part of this, too. “God is the center of our family and lives. Without His guidance, direction and provision, we would definitely not be where we are today.”
Kathy Stump writes about raising a small family in Parkville that enjoys watching performing artists.