By Kristina Goetz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dottie Belle Meymann (right) a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, leads a fitness class Friday afternoon at Five Seasons Country Club in Symmes Township. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

With one toe tap and a hip swivel, she turns an average aerobics studio into a Broadway stage.

Leading a handful of women across the floor at the Five Seasons Country Club in Symmes Township, Dottie Belle Meymann shares the choreography and flair she learned during her 20 years as one of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.

"Ok, ladies," she says, demonstrating the number and showing off those trademark legs. "Gimme some pizazz."

But today, the Middletown native will trade in her sequins and feathers for a cap and gown. Her center stage will be Parking Lot C at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. And her last-minute rehearsal will be for the speech she is to give before the up to 1,270 students eligible to receive their degrees.

For years, Meymann (she won't reveal her age; that's show business) entertained with celebrities such as Ed Asner, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Allen, Liberace and Ann-Margret. She did L'eggs pantyhose and Diet Coke commercials, traveled the globe with the world-famous dancers and appeared in the films Annie and Dead Man Walking.

"I've covered the realm of the industry," she says. "But I am still that small-town girl. I love wonderful restaurants and fashion, but I can adapt to any situation."

And adapt she did. After two decades of false eyelashes and bright red lipstick, she transitioned to the role of Cincinnati State student in fall 2000. It wasn't easy, she says. She left Miami University after only three semesters years ago, after which she kicked up her heels and joined the legendary dance troupe in New York.

"She was very scared about going back to school," said Meymann's adviser, Pat Morganroth, chairwoman for the health and fitness program at Cincinnati State. "Changing careers was very difficult, coming from center stage and starting all over.

"But she loves health and fitness and helping people stay in shape. She really does encourage them and motivate them. I think no matter what she chose to do she would have been successful. But I think she found her niche."

After receiving her associate degree in health and fitness, Meymann plans to earn a bachelor's degree in either exercise physiology or health promotion. She continues to teach classes at the Five Seasons and at Tri-Health Fitness and Health Pavilion. She's also creating a dance class for the physical education department at Cincinnati State.

One day, she may open her own health and fitness studio. Meymann hopes to inspire women to become more health-conscious and empowered. And they seem to love her stories - about the stars she rubbed elbows with during her days as a Rockette, and a few about fortitude and perseverance in completing her degree.

Meymann still laughs about one incident at Cincinnati State when showbiz smarts helped pull her through. Part of the requirement to pass anatomy and physiology class was to dissect a rat.

"I was thinking, 'You know, they'll never trust this job to a tap dancer,'" she says, laughing.

But she pulled on the surgical gloves and mask, picked up the scalpel and made a slice.

"Rats are not my favorite things because in New York they're twice that size. But I'd whip in that sense of humor and drama," she says, striking a pose.

"No matter what, the show must always go on."

Cincinnati State commencement

What: Commencement at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

When: 10 a.m. today.

Where: Parking Lot C on Cincinnati State's campus, 3520 Central Parkway.

Information: About 3,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony; 1,270 students are eligible to participate. President Ron Wright will address graduates. Tickets are required. The ceremony is not open to the public.E-mail kgoetz@enquirer.com