DCC Alum Dances on “Glee”

Mesquite mom of ‘Glee’ choreographer to dance in upcoming episode
By Deborah Fleck
The Dallas Morning News
dfleck@dallasnews.com
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Texas connection to the hit Fox comedy Glee just got stronger.

Vicki Woodlee of Mesquite will appear on the episode set to air Nov. 30 (7 p.m. on Fox). As a member of the Hipsters, a senior group of continuing-education students, she plays someone who is lots older and just has to sway.

That was tough for the former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and nearly lifelong dancer. “Our dance moves were very limited because we were supposed to be very, very old and frail,” says Woodlee, 60.

She said the show’s choreographer had to ask her to tone it down, but there were no hard feelings. The choreographer and co-producer is her son, Zach Woodlee, 33, a graduate of Poteet High School.

She got the role when her son thought of her for an episode featuring older dancers. “He asked if I would like to come and be a part of the show,” she says.

Woodlee got to spend four days with him and the cast and crew in Los Angeles. Two members of the cast also come from North Texas: Kevin McHale of Plano and Mark Salling of Lake Highlands.

“All of the cast members were so warm, friendly and eager to share fun stories about Zach,” says the mother of four sons. Zach is the only one who followed in her footsteps by staying involved with dance. Two of her sons are Garland police officers and the other is a Mesquite firefighter.

When her sons were young, Woodlee owned a dance studio in Mesquite called Juz’ Danzin’.

“Matt, Zach, Beau and Slade all took dance classes because they were forced to go to the studio with me each day instead of going to a baby sitter after school,” Woodlee says.

The training paid off not only for Zach, but for his three brothers as well. “I enjoy telling them they got their positions because they are quick on their feet and have great coordination from taking dance class.”

Dance is still a big part of her life. She recently created an adult tap performance group and teaches a preschool class at the Dance FX Studio in Garland. Now she’ll dance on a popular television show.

As the youngest Hipster, Woodlee says she had to wear pounds of powder, red lipstick and a beehive hairstyle to make her look older in the episode called “Special Education.” She noted working with the senior dancers was inspiring. “It was four days of fabulous. I was so impressed with my fellow Hipsters. The oldest was 83.”

The proud mom recalled when she first heard about Glee. Zach told her two years ago that he wouldn’t be able to come home for Christmas.

“He called to say he was working on a ‘little project called Glee ,’ ” she says. “He said he didn’t know if it would be a hit or not and that they were working on the pilot episode. Well, the rest is history!”