Agoura Hills dance teacher choreographs 'Millie'

Betsy Melber, dance instructor at the Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Studio, has spent the past three months teaching 26 Malibu High School students to tap dance for their roles in the school's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," which opens next week.

The musical tells the story of Millie Dillmount, who travels from Kansas to New York City in 1922 to find a job and marry the boss, the "modern" way of love.

Melber worked with the students three times a week for three months at the dance studio, transforming them into "speedtappers" for musical numbers like "The Speed Test," in which Millie and a group of secretaries must execute precision tap steps in time to a typing test.

The production will be presented Thurs. through Sun., May 17 to 20 at the school, 30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and are available online at www.malibuhigh.smmusd.org or at the door.

For more information, call (818) 991-8883.