May 25, 2012
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
[NEED ADDRESS]
Re: Sheridan Anderson O-1 Visa
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Jim Cooney and I am an award-winning choreographer whose international body of work encompasses television, stage, concerts, and live events. My most notable credits include choreographing a Broadway style musical demolition for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition featuring Kristin Chenoweth, choreographing Oxygen’s Upfronts for both seasons of The Glee Project, assisting Tony award nominated Randy Skinner on the City Center production of Abby’s Song starring Paul Sovino and again on the musical Ginger starring Tony award winner Donna McKechnie, and most recently choreographing The Accused for Tropicana in Atlantic City which won Best Casino Show of the Year 2011.
Throughout my choreography projects I have had the privilege of working with a roster of celebrities including Little Richard, Pat Boone, Didi Conn, Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin, Robbie Rosen of American Idol, MTV’s Rich Girls star Ally Hilfiger, and Katie Couric. I have also been dance captain for eight productions including the first national tour of Tony award winner Susan Stroman’s Broadway revival of The Music Man and the original company of Nights on Broadway, directed and choreographed by Tony award winner Andy Blankenbuehler and starring former Miss America Kate Shindle.
I’m on faculty at the world-renowned Broadway Dance Center in New York City and my classes have been featured in the New York Times. I am the faculty advisor of our elite Professional Semester training program and our Summer Intern Program, where I met Sheridan when she participated in one of our programs. She is by far one of the best students to have come through our programs. I was so impressed with her that I immediately cast her in several of my projects where she danced alongside Broadway professionals. Her exquisite talent was every bit on par, if not more so, than her fellow cast members. She also assisted me when I choreographed a segment for Australia’s popular television program The Circle. I trusted her so much with my work that she led the entire rehearsal process herself, including the technical rehearsal which I could not attend. It is one of the only times I’ve given such a responsibility to an assistant, but I had 100% confidence in her abilities. In addition, she’s assisted me for a wide range of classes from adults with special needs to advanced/professional dancers and I just can’t give enough positive feedback about her performance.
Not only is her talent exceptional, but she has an incredibly positive and cheery attitude and a superb work ethic. Sheridan is a delight to be around and inspires those around her. She has stunning technique, but it’s her performance quality that puts her on the top of my list. She has that “star quality” that just can’t be taught. I feel the entertainment industry in America needs to have her—you just can’t take your eyes off her when she’s on stage.
I am hopeful to work with Sheridan in the future and it is a great honor and extreme privilege for me to assist in her application for the O-1 Visa. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Jim Cooney
350 West 51st St.
4E
New York, NY 10019
646-408-8415
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To Whom It may Concern,
My name is Lorin Latarro. Upon graduating from The Juilliard School, I have performed in and choreographed over 14 Broadway shows.
I had the pleasure of working with Sheridan Anderson last summer at a teaching workshop. She is a talented artist, valuable performer and wonderful dancer. Sheridan would be an asset to our community in New York City if she were available to perform and work.
Please feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Lorin Latarro
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