Meet Isaac Stauffer: From Rural Iowa to Chicago Tap Theatre’s National Stage

For Isaac Stauffer, dance has always been about connection—between music and movement, performer and audience, and past and present. That connection started early, on a 2x4 plank in his Iowa farmhouse, and will come full circle when he returns home to perform with Chicago Tap Theatre at the Temple Theater on April 17.

We caught up with Isaac ahead of the show to talk about his journey from rural Iowa to the professional stage, and what it means to bring his passion for tap back to the place it all began.

Q: What first inspired you to start tap dancing?
“My cousin Kerri was my hero growing up—she was winning dance competitions and crushing it at the Iowa State Fair Talent Show,” Isaac says. “I wanted to be just like her.” His mom even made his first pair of tap shoes by attaching mini taps to a pair of dress shoes. “I remember stomping around on a board in the house. That was it—I was hooked.”

Q: What was it like training in a small Iowa town?
Isaac took class at Stairway to the Stars in Washington, Iowa, where his teacher, Melissa Westphal, opened up a world of opportunity. “She brought in guest choreographers, pushed us to compete all over the Midwest, and made sure we were exposed to different styles—from jazz and clogging to ballet and modern,” he says. “That mix gave me a huge advantage down the road.”

Q: Did you always know you wanted to go pro?
“Honestly, no,” he admits. “It felt like something other people did—people in New York or L.A., not on a farm in Iowa.” But success in competitions, scholarships, and encouragement from mentors started to change that. “By college, I realized I could really pursue this.” He earned a degree in education while keeping dance front and center, eventually focusing on tap.

Q: So how did Chicago Tap Theatre come into the picture?
After college, Isaac knew he wanted to dance professionally—but also needed to balance it with teaching. “Chicago Tap Theatre stood out because of its ‘tap opera’ storytelling and live music. It was exactly the kind of company I’d been dreaming about.” His first audition didn’t land him a spot, but he stayed persistent, training with the company until he earned a guest artist role—and eventually, a permanent place in the company.

Q: What’s it like performing with CTT?
“It’s joyful. It’s challenging. And it’s deeply rewarding,” he says. “We perform exclusively to live music, which keeps you sharp. You’re not just hitting counts—you’re responding to musicians in real time. It keeps you honest.” He also praises the community: “These people are like family. I’ve made lifelong friends here.”

Q: What advice do you have for young dancers in Iowa?
“Train in everything. Build your network. Take the losses with the wins,” he says. “And don’t be afraid to chase it. I didn’t see a clear path at first—but I made one by showing up, asking for feedback, and staying open. You can too.”

Catch Isaac live with Chicago Tap Theatre on April 17 at 7 PM at the Temple Theater—an evening of rhythm, storytelling, and a hometown talent who never missed a beat.

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