In 1954, Grover Dale showed up at Bob Fosse's audition for "The Pajama Game."  Thinking it didn't matter that he was dancing  in the back row, Grover was certain that good dancers get noticed regardless of which line you were in.  He was wrong.  He didn't make the cut.  For a young man destined to have a lengthy career, Grover had a lot of learning to do.

 His inexperience may have kept him hidden from Bob Fosse, but it didn't get in the way of being cast by Michael Kidd the following year for "L'il Abner."  After a full season as an "employed" dancer, Grover auditioned for the notorious genius/task master, Jerome Robbins.  Forsaking the tendency to dance in the back row, Grover stepped forward and competed with hundreds of other dancers eager to be cast in the original production of "West Side Story."  Five days after signing a contract, Grover arrived at the first rehearsal with Snowboy's eight lines of dialogue memorized.  He assumed that was the only preparation necessary.  Once again, Grover had more lessons to learn.

 Overwhelmed by Robbins' demands for acting skills, Grover realized he was in trouble.  Applying "objectives" and "motivating movement" was a language he wasn't familiar with.  His enthusiasm and love for dance wasn't enough.  Taking on the task of saving his job challenged every resource he could muster.  By the time WSS completed its tryout in Philadelphia, Grover's role of Snowboy was no longer in jeopardy.  In fact, his name was added to the show poster.

 WSS was a turning point in Grover's education.    In the years that followed, he grasped the idea that preparing for the next opportunity never stops.  There's always a new skill or a new technique to be mastered.  "Frankly," he suggests, "if a performer isn't on the path to more growth, they might as well pick another profession...!"

 Exposure to artists like Jack Cole, Joe Layton, Tony Charmoli, Michael Bennett, Peter Gennaro, Gwen Verdon, Onna White,  Graciela Daniele, Herbert Ross, Ann Reinking, Rob Marshall, Susan Stroman, and Gillian Lynne have given Grover as many growth opportunities as one could wish for.   Today, he's not only acknowledged for professional achievements (the credits and list of honors are at the bottom of this page..) but for his willingness to help jump-start so many young dance careers through his writing.