Dancer Andrea Kelly is emerging from behind the scenes of the entertainment industry and is stepping onto the center stage. From having choreographed videos on BET and MTV to opening up the Andrea Kelly Dance Theater 2 in Atlanta. Kelly talks to rolling out about what inspires her moves and her future projects. –iesha daniels
Do you combine any styles with your dance?
Yes, there’s a lot of African, belly dancing, hip-hop, jazz, modern, ballet — it’s a dance fusion. I would call my style a dance fusion. My first love is actually Broadway jazz, [Bob] Fosse-based from the Oscar-winning movie Chicago.
How do you develop dance routines?
It is the strangest thing how dances come to me, sometimes in the middle of my sleep. Sometimes I see the choreography before I hear the music. Sometimes I can hear the music and the choreography will come to me. Windshield wipers, birds flying — I find inspiration in everything. Choreography and creativity comes from anywhere, when it comes you just go with it.
Tell us about the Andrea Kelly Dance Theater.
It is based in Chicago, we are a theater company, which means we don’t just do dance, we incorporate acting, singing, monologues, we do a little bit of everything within the company. My company is also about giving back to our community. I believe that a lot of the time our urban youth … are not exposed to the art. I honestly believe if you give people choices you’ll be surprised at what they choose. I like to take the art to the community.
What else are you working on?
I’m starting a second company here in Atlanta, Andrea Kelly Dance Theater II. And I also have Pink Kitty Cabaret Master Classes. It’s a burlesque-fitness-dance regime that I created for women. I made this class for women to come in and get in shape, but it’s also about building self confidence. I hope that the women of Atlanta will take these classes to enhance both their physical and mental [well] being.
For more info on how to participate in the master classes or audition for AKDT2, e-mail [email protected].
