Tanya Duncan’s life in the performing arts is nothing short of a cherished local legend; a tale of passion, strength, and growth.
Born and raised in Excelsior Springs, Tanya began her professional career at just 16 at Kansas City’s Circle Theater. By 19, with her union card in hand, she started a career that took her from Dallas to New York, Florida to California. In those early years, she thrived in roles like costuming, stage management, and performance on Broadway tours and in television movies.
She was guided by the influence of her mother, a local instructor who ran dance studios in Excelsior and beyond, which Tanya remembers fondly, “My mother was a truly gifted teacher; her passion for dance defined her life.” This legacy is seen through many of her mother’s students approaching Tanya with stories and memories, showing an impact that she strives to continue with decades of dedication.
She recalled being a reliable student, willing to devote the time and effort to her craft. That early education inspired her to open her own studio in New York City, right on Theater Row, where she taught both adults and children in exploring the joy of performance. One of her favorite projects, Dream Girls on Broadway, saw her work with costume and design. This was a role that left a deep imprint on her and eventually segued her into directing, a possibility that came only after years of industry development.
After her husband retired from a remarkable Broadway career, they made the decision to return to Excelsior Springs to raise their daughters and to continue her mother’s legacy at the Excelsior Springs Dance Theatre Workshop. Rather than settling into quiet retirement, she reinvested herself in the community.
In the early 1990s, she reconnected with old friends and built new relationships locally. She began lending her expertise to the local theater, Slightly Off-Broadway, despite the challenges of a venue undergoing consistent change. With various building changes and even stretches without a dedicated space at all, Tanya and a small group of volunteers kept its spirit alive, renting out downtown venues to host shows.
One particularly impactful memory Tanya recalls from this time is fundraising for the local Kiwanis Club, which shows her belief in character development through the arts. “I believe in somehow you have got to teach discipline and self-respect to young people,” she says, a sentiment that has always guided her work.
A turning point arrived in 2010, when a suitable building appeared on the market. With a small group of dedicated volunteers, they seized the chance to secure a permanent home for the theater in the old Methodist Church building in downtown Excelsior Springs. She recalled the uncertainty turned relief, “And then this building came on the market, and we just kind of took that deep breath and jumped in and managed to buy it,” which transitioned their group to focusing on defining their performance standards, finding the right people to grow with, and creating an impact.
As the theater and its staff found its footing, season ticket sales grew, and every performance became a reminder of what can happen when passionate citizens come together.
Tanya’s approach centers on the pure joy of performance and the development of people. She finds genuine fulfillment in watching her students gain experience on stage; the very essence of growth in one’s craft. “The dedication that these people have just overwhelms me, that they continue to come back and work that hard,” she shared, insisting that her efforts are only possible from her dedicated team.
Her legacy now spans three generations. Tanya’s daughter Samantha chose to return to Excelsior Springs and take the reins at the family dance studio. Tanya confessed, “I never thought she would ever move back here, and I never thought she would want to teach in the dance studio. She just surprised me all over, and she’s happy as a clam.” That warmth, authenticity, and ferocity captures the spirit of Tanya Duncan—a woman whose life, full of hard work and deep care for her community, continues to inspire those around her.
Today, as Excelsior Springs gathers for every performance and dance class, Tanya’s influence remains evident. By focusing her studio on performance rather than competition, she creates an environment where young talent grows naturally, and her students reflect back an eagerness to continue. Tanya Duncan’s story reminds us that dedication and love for one’s craft can transform lives and small actions can impact an entire community.
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