Redmond native Katie Black, formerly known as Katie Wendleton, will make her musical theatre debut in the ensemble cast of Village Theatre’s “42nd Street.” The production runs May 13-Aug. 1 at the Village Theatre, 30 Front St. in Issaquah.

Black attended Audubon Elementary, Redmond Junior High and Redmond High School, graduating in 2002.

Although “42nd Street” will mark her first time acting and singing in a professional production, Black’s dance career has taken her far and wide.

At age 18, she was hired as a dancer by the Holland America Cruise Line.

“It was absolutely the most fun. I got to see the world,” said Black, who entertained cruise passengers in the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

“I did that on and off for five years, moved to L.A. for a while, worked a little bit in Vegas, but wanted to move back home,” she explained.

Black had competed in gymnastics until the age of 10 but then switched to competitive dance, joining the team at Backstage Dance Studio in Factoria.

“Competing in dance was not just technical but also performing,” she noted.

Asked what Redmond experiences might have spurred her on in show business, Black recalled, “For some reason, a science teacher, Miss Marsh (a high school biology teacher) was very inspirational. I wasn’t so much interested in science but she always had a positive message of ‘Do what you want to do and follow your heart.'”

Performing in the ensemble of “42nd Street” will be “pretty exciting, my first time as a singer … I’d sung a little bit in Holland shows, but this will be my first real mic’d performances,” said Black.

She is also tickled that the glamorous costumes in the show are the same as those from the Broadway production of “42nd Street.”

“I’m having such a blast. Everyone’s so nice at the Village Theatre,” Black added.

But now that she’s back on her home turf, she has other big plans, too. She’s opening a dance and yoga studio in North Bend this August.

Ignite Dance and Yoga will offer a full menu of dance classes for kids to adults, at all levels of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre and acrobatic dance.

“It’s nice to be able to give dancers something extra — teach them to do some tricks to be more well-rounded,” said Black.

As for the yoga portion of her business, she’ll feature prenatal and postnatal classes, “Mom and Me” classes for mothers with young children, 50-Plus yoga and “destination yoga” incorporating hikes and scenic places to work out.

For more information about Ignite Dance and Yoga, visit www.ignitedanceandyoga.com.

For more information about “42nd Street” at the Village Theatre, call (425) 392-2202 or visit www.villagetheatre.org.