With Anneliese's roots in classical ballet, she began choreographing in junior high. After years of dance training in a variety of dance forms plus theatrical training and performance, she embarked on the ultimate challenge of directing and choreographing her first musical South Pacific at the Yakima Warehouse Theatre in Washington State in 1993.

After migrating from the state of Washington, Anneliese made her first appearance at the Magic Circle Rep. as "Fruma Sarah" in Fiddler On The Roof. She has since directed and choreographed The Music Man and choreographed Guys & Dolls. Oklahoma is the sixth musical she has directed, with others including Big River, Damn Yankees and Hello Dolly.