Broadway veteran Carol Bentley brings decades of industry experience — as a performer, director/choreographer, adjudicator, and educator — together with a specialty in performer wellness.
She currently trains the next generation of performers as a full-time Guest Artist at Rider University.
As a Performer
Carol originated roles in Swing! and Follies (Astaire Award nomination, Best Female Dancer), served as Dance Captain for shows including On the Town and Jesus Christ Superstar, and was Assistant Dance Captain for Spamalot. Other Broadway/tour credits include Wonderful Town, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, A Christmas Carol, and Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular. She performed as a New York Knicks City Dancer and did events for Disney, Columbia Records recording artists, and industrials including Daimler-Benz, Toyota, and State Farm. On screen, she appeared in Disney's Enchanted and the Vanessa Williams film Dance With Me, with television credits including Guiding Light, The Today Show, The Tony Awards (performer and presenter), and Star Search, plus commercials for Intel, Listerine, and Toyota.
As a Director & Choreographer
Carol directs and assists creative teams on productions including Spamalot (Hollywood Bowl and 3-D Theatricals), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Musical Theatre West), The Calico Buffalo (NYMF Best of Show), and With This Love (Alvin Ailey), along with work at Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Music Theatre of Wichita, and various pre-Broadway workshops. She has also choreographed for emerging vocal artists and Camp Broadway. Her upcoming projects include The Threepenny Opera for the Westminster Theater Opera.
As an Educator
A summa cum laude graduate of Saint Mary's College of California, Carol is a full-time Guest Artist at Rider University (previously adjunct faculty at Rider and Fairleigh Dickinson) and teaches master classes and workshops internationally. She's also an active national dance judge.
Beyond the Stage
Carol spent five years in documentary development for Empty Quarter Studios, helps visual artists and business owners find their non-artificial voice through her program Tailor Your Words, and owns C Bentley Wellness, LLC, offering wellness coaching, yoga, and dynamic stretch technique workshops for performers. www.cbentleywellness.com.
Dreams require practical action
Raised in Michigan with four brothers, dance was my safe space. I performed every chance I could, working in studios to cover my training and pursue my goals.
This led to a competitive and eclectic professional career across Broadway, films, commercials, music videos, national tours, sports entertainment, and special events around the world.
Now I teach, primarily at the university BFA level, and assist young performers through cbentleywellness.com.
I'm also a longtime dance competition judge and a firm believer in what dance can offer, both in skill and personal development.
All of these roles help me to assist young performers in realizing their vision. Dreams require practical action.
I am grateful to use my extensive background and training in dance, education, and coaching to guide practical steps and support goals.