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Toledoan on MTV -- next stop, Broadway?

Toledoan Cassie Okenka has been on MTV for the last several weeks in a reality show whose task is to find the next "Elle Woods."
Toledoan on MTV -- next stop, Broadway?

Cassie Okenka grew up in west Toledo. She recently graduated from college and moved right to New York City. She's been on MTV for the last several weeks in a reality show whose task is to find the next "Elle Woods."

Her parents, Stan and Helen Okenka, are understandably proud of their daughter. "We never pushed her. We just guided and supported her. This is what she was born to do," Helen says.

To see Cassie in "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods," click.

And, here in Cassie's words:

I recently just graduated from Baldwin Wallace College-Conservatory of Music in Berea Ohio. This realty show is a huge step for me in launching my New York career. Of course, "Elle Woods" is a fantastic part, and how could you not want to take this chance! I do want to be on Broadway someday -- either by replacements or an original production.
I went to Whittier Elementary School where my music teacher, the AMAZING Mr. Tom Szor, sent me on an audition for Annie Warbucks at Mama Rose's dinner entertainment theatre.
There I was bitten by the bug. I continued to do theatre at Children's Theatre Workshop, under Dottie Zimmerman. This brought the love and professionalism together in a GREAT environment. I also studied voice with Laurie Garvin and dance at Hanf Dance Theatre. I contunied at the now closed Performing Arts School of Metro Toledo. My class of 22 graduated with another reality show "star," Jonathon Victorian of MTV's "Making the Band."
The MTV experience was such fun! No matter what you see on TV, remember it's TV. But the girls are amazing -- all of them are so talented and so sweet. It was such a supportive environment that drama was kind of hard to come by.
I have never wanted to do anything else in my life. I feel very lucky I know what I want so I don't have to waste time trying to find my place in the world. Performing has always been my "thing" and will probably be for the rest of my life. It's not work, but my life.

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