Whether you are a professional dancer or just dancing for fun, I think we can all agree that dance makes you feel good and can be a great way to express yourself. No matter if you are in a studio, on a club or on stage, dancing allows you to get in touch with your body and music and to connect with a people vibrating at the same frequency. Because of this, it is important to be dressed properly and that’s where dance fashion comes in!
It’s A Glam Thing caught up with one of Broadway’s most in-demand choreographers (and the founder of Dancing 4 Change) Kelli Gautreau to dive deeper into her own fashion and why picking the right clothes for expressing her charity group’s visions are truly one of the most important aspects of a successful number.
NICK NORTHSTAR: How would you describe your own personal style – both while at home and while dancing?
KELLI GAUTREAU: I don’t like to follow trends. I have a unique style. I am somewhere between military-esque and steam punk with a feminine flair. I like suspenders. I am obsessed with funky boots. My favorite boots that I own are my red plaid doc martins with gold studs and my furry boots with spiky heels. When I dance, I wear sweats or Emily’s Design leggings or Lulu Lemon leggings.
NN: How has starting up Dancing 4 Change – a group of young kids that come together to create dance videos to support various charities across the globe – changed your own life?
KG: Starting Dancing 4 Changed has changed my life for the better. I created this film series so I could give back but it’s the people that I have met along the way that give so much to me. With each new film, comes new charities and new experiences. I am in awe of the strength it takes for each spokesperson to tell their story in order for us to be able to tell ours. I hope that I am able to continue doing this work for many years to come.
NN: What are some of your favorite beauty products that you use while performing?
KG: I don’t go anywhere without my Make Up Forever products. Their HD foundation creates a great on camera look. Smooth and natural looking. I always have CO Bigelow lip balm on me. Cinnamon is my favorite.
NN: How has starting up Dancing 4 Change – a group of young kids that come together to create dance videos to support various charities across the globe – changed your own life?
KG: Starting Dancing 4 Changed has changed my life for the better. I created this film series so I could give back but it’s the people that I have met along the way that give so much to me. With each new film, comes new charities and new experiences. I am in awe of the strength it takes for each spokesperson to tell their story in order for us to be able to tell ours. I hope that I am able to continue doing this work for many years to come.
NN: How important is picking the right outfits for a performance?
KG: Picking the right outfit is very important. What the dancers wear sets the tone of the dance. Since our films don’t use dialogue, we rely heavily on visual effect to tell the story. Choosing the right outfit is paramount to the success of our films.
NN: How big a role does fashion make when it comes to an overall dance number?
KG: Dance and fashion go hand in hand. One of my favorite styles of dance to costume is jazz and tap because it’s all about glitz and glam. Picking out/designing costumes is one of my favorite parts of being a choreographer. A dance is nothing without its costume.
NN: Who have been some of your role models in your career?
KG: Mia Michaels is a huge inspiration to me. She is a brilliant choreographer and a brilliant storyteller.
NN: Why is giving back so important to you?
KG: Sometimes the world can feel like a scary place. There are so many things out of our control. One thing we have control over is doing what we can to help others. I see my three nephews and I want to make the world a better place for them. Each film has a call to action at the end. “How are you going to help”?… “Tell someone today”!… It is our goal to create content that will get kids thinking without them feeling like they are being lectured.
NN: A lot of Hollywood stars have come out to support you. How does that feel?
KG: When I first started Dancing 4 Change I did not think it would wind up getting the attention of Hollywood stars. At the time, I just wanted to create content that would help kids. I am truly honored any time a celebrity takes time out of their busy schedule to let us know they are supporting us. I know what we are doing is important. The support of others fuels me to keep going.
NN: What trends in the dance world are you loving right now?
KG: I love that there are dance shows on television. I think that shows like So You Think You Can Dance and World of Dance are an inspiration to many kids. Airing dance shows on television is a good way to expose kids to the art of dance at a young age.
NN: What is your advice to anyone wanting to move to the United States like you did from Canada and get into dance full-time?
KG: My advice is not to give up. It took me 11 years to get a green card. So many things went wrong along the way. There were many times when I felt like giving up. People think it’s easier for Canadians to work in the United States. It isn’t. I’ve been through five immigration lawyers since I started. It’s a very complicated and expensive process. I’ve been stuck at the border, sent home, lost jobs, denied applications. Whatever you can think of, I’ve been through it. At this point, I feel like I could be an immigration lawyer myself. It was a long road, but in the end if you want it badly enough, it’s worth it.
NN: What is your definition of “Glam”?
KG: My definition of Glam is whatever makes you feel beautiful. Everyone has a different style. If you feel confident in what you are wearing then it will shine through. Glam is when style meets personality meets confidence.
NN: What can we expect from Dancing 4 Change and your other professional projects this coming year?
KG: We have a filmed called (Stronger) Together! that was made to raise awareness for #MeToo movement for kids. This film encourages kids/teens to talk about sexual assault instead of keeping it a secret. There will be an online release sometime this Spring/Summer. Also, we are workshopping a film about school safety. We are currently in discussions with different charities for this film. Audition information is on our website: www.dancing4change.com
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