Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Hadley.
Hi Renee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Renee Hadley, and I go by Renee Rose. I’m a performance artist, instructor, and producer originally from Michigan. I perform globally and specialize in creative design, direction, and production of immersive art experiences through my company, New Compass Rose.
How it all started? My early background as a movement artist stems from a blend of studying classical and cultural dance styles, as well as yoga and competing in rhythmic gymnastics. My career as a rhythmic gymnast advanced quickly until an injury opened my eyes and heart, to new avenues.
After closing that chapter I ended up choosing to further pursue ballet. I trained with Ballet Detroit’s Director, Sergey Rayevskiy and competed in the Youth America Grand Prix. I danced with members of the Kirov, San Francisco and Sarasota Ballet companies and began to plan a career path to become a professional ballerina.
Also during this chapter, my sister convinced me to audition for our high school’s musical. I was intrigued and at the time the thought of auditioning wildly scared me. Both rhythmic and ballet were my foundation and they were very structured. I auditioned anyway and was casted. This opportunity was a true gift–it provided me with an “Ah ha” moment I had been longing for. Musical theatre tapped into an aspect of performing for me that melded classical art forms and pushed the boundaries of the imagination. It showed me the elements of production and collaboration. This aligned with what I’ve always dreamed of creating. I didn’t know it at the time but it had planted a seed I would later come back to in Los Angeles.
In LA I began coaching children’s gymnastics and creating youth dance programs. This was something I also did during my time in Michigan and this time around I found myself surrounded by coworkers who were incredibly talented circus performers and stunt doubles for the film industry.
“My People!” I thought to myself. I trained with these colleagues. I learned cirque skills to add to my repertoire and began performing. While doing so I met my mentors and the souls I would collaborate with professionally. I made lifelong friendships. We traveled all over performing at festivals and events and still do to this day. Some notable performances have been for Daybreaker, KCRW, Universal Studios, LA3C, Freemaidens, and The Burning Man Project.
While in a groove with performing, I began getting inquiries from lovely souls who wanted me to choreograph dances for music videos, dream up characters, and build stories for experiences of all kinds which was a full circle moment. These created opportunities for me to bring the wildly talented people of my community together from so many artistic backgrounds and build something great. The seeds planted in the past found a way to come together in synchronicity to the present and a few years later we are here: moving, doing, growing, and flowing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course there’s been struggles, but that’s what makes the journey worth it. I’d say learning and fully embracing this truth: When you believe in something so much and it doesn’t make sense to others–as long as it makes sense to you, that’s what matters most. Sounds so simple, but we humans make it complex sometimes. We all need a reminder to be brave enough to try.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As I mentioned before I am a movement artist, and through my company, New Compass Rose, we specialize in immersive experiences through transformative storytelling and dynamic art modalities. In today’s digital era, it’s important now more than ever to find ways to keep the magic and spirit of human connection alive.
Our mission is to create unique memories. We do so through the production of multifaceted activities and curated talent, characters, and environments for all kinds of experiences, whether that be on stage, for festivals, brand activations, camps, classes, private gatherings, and beyond. We teach movement arts to all ages and focus on teaching younger generations.
New Compass Rose has become a community of artists and collaborators who value bringing people together of diverse backgrounds–to invite them to participate in an experience and in thinking outside the box while leading with the heart space. We value giving humans another perspective and creating a safe space for them to learn and grow. Growth has no limits.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Favorite thing about LA? LA is a city full of souls who are fiercely passionate about what they’re creating. That’s what makes it so remarkable. You can see and feel it everywhere if you choose to. It’s progressive and energizing.
Least Favorite? I’d say the traffic in LA is a least favorite, and I’m sure others would likely say the same. A silver lining of said traffic however, is the opportunity to observe the eccentricities of the different neighborhoods that exist here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.newcompassrose.com
- Instagram: @newcompassrose
Image Credits
Gregory Bartning M. Miller Judd Weiss Hauntphotoblography Hauntoween Sugar Rush Josh Blake
