Conversations with Kiana De Van Der Schueren

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana De Van Der Schueren

Hi Kiana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a professional dancer all the way from a small country town in Australia. I started dancing at the age of 6 in my older sisters footsteps and could never have known where this career would take me. I trained consistently with my dance studio ‘Dance Force’ in the Gold Coast, Australia where I started to compete in a variety of dance competitions taking away 2 national titles, winning me trips overseas to the USA and Singapore. After graduating high school I took off on my first professional dance contract on board a Royal Caribbean Cruiseline ship where I began my aerial training. Knowing that Cirque Du Soleil was my dream job I continued to train and drive hard for physical and mental readiness which paid off as I went on to book Cirque Du Soleils ‘Mystere’ an iconic 30 year old show in Treasure Island in Las Vegas, NV. This featured dancer role called the ‘Female Bird of Prey’ was a technical / contemporary based character role and became one of my proudest and most challenging dancer roles to date.
Then covid happened and things changed for everyone! I ended up back in Australia and this is where I begin my journey with Magic Mike Live Australia. Which eventually became Magic Mike Live North America tour where we visited Miami, FL and Frisco, TX. From there I went across the pond to London where I did a 9 month stint in the show over there on the West end and finally back over to Las Vegas in the original Magic Mike Live show where I am today!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are down seasons, between contracts, shows, castings.. it’s not always easy sitting in such tentative waters.
* ‘Injuries’ with such a physical job it comes with the territory… we have to work to maintain our bodies and I’ve learnt unlike many other athletes we don’t get a down season. So knowledge is power!
* I’m beyond blessed and incredibly grateful for work that has had me travel the world and be able to create my own life overseas. But it involves visas, flights and time.. which can be hard to navigate wholesome time with family back at home.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional Dancer primarily but also do aerial work!

I had planted in my head years ago after I watched my first Cirque Du Soleil show that it was something I would love to be a part of. After a successful audition in 2017 I had a role specific callback in 2018 where I then moved out to Las Vegas, NV to join the cast of the iconic 30 year old original CDS show ‘MYSTERE’!

More recently I feel I am known for the female role ‘Mermaid / Fairy’ in Magic Mike Live productions, as I have been with them on 4 different productions and in 3 different continents in 3.5 years! I feel this role has really allowed me to be self expressive and step into the woman I am today.

I think being an Australian national out in the USA makes you work a little bit harder and carry a lot of humility and strength to persevere against the odds!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe we all have a path destined for us already. So you just walk along that path, stick true to your gut and continue to work hard. I really do believe everything that’s for me won’t pass me. But I can say I feel very LUCKY with how long winded consistent jobs have found and supported me thus far in my career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Kianadvds
• Facebook: Kianadvds

Image Credits
There are a few different people to credit per image:

Kacie Debevc (Magic Mike Live)
Ben Adams (Personal pictures)