Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Nichole
Hi Vanessa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been a performer for as long as I can remember. My mom tells this story about my first showcase when I was three years old, and how afterwards I ran up to her, barely able to speak through my excitement: “I LIKE it when they clap for me!!” Decades later, it seems that nothing has changed — the intensive training, erratic schedule, constant hustle, and general unpredictability of a freelance lifestyle — everything is worth it when I get to step on stage, take the audience on a journey, and then receive the generous gift of their applause!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am now has not always been smooth, but fortunately, it has been consistent. As I was growing up and all throughout college, everyone loved to talk about how impossible it was to make a career in the entertainment industry, and how I would undoubtedly have to work several survival jobs to make any money. Performing was never considered a “real” job, and though I had already been dancing professionally in shows since the age of 16, I still fully believed that I would inevitably have to pick up other work the moment I graduated from college. To prep for it, I even found a server job one summer so I could have some non-performance work experience on my resume. I think I was there about 2.5 months before quitting, I disliked it so much. That was the first and last time I ever worked in any job outside of my chosen field. To all the entrepreneurs and freelancers out there, it is, in fact, completely possible to do what you love and also live a financially stable life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
After graduating from SMU with a BFA in Dance Performance, I leapt into the world of entertainment wanting to pursue “everything.” With this hunger for newness and excitement, I have had the incredible privilege of jumping between commercial, theatrical, and concert performance as a dancer, aerialist, actor, singer, choreographer and director. There are countless people to be grateful for along the way, but here are few of the opportunities that challenged me to go beyond my comfort zone and try something new. Without these experiences, I would not be the versatile artist I am today.
My first summer post-grad, I got cast as a production dancer for Celebrity Cruises. I had never left the continental US and was excited to take on this exciting position at sea. Besides traveling to twenty-three new countries on four continents and forming international friendships for years to come, I gained new skills that set me up for success when I chose to continue my career on land. I had my first experience as dance captain, I was trained in aerial, and I saved enough money to buy a car and move to Los Angeles in my pursuit of “everything”. My time at sea gave me the versatility and confidence to go after my dreams. Travel, leadership, and specialty artist positions have been an ongoing theme throughout my entire career.
Upon moving to LA, I somehow managed to sign with my first agency within a week, then book my first major job with choreographer and creative director, Rob Ashford. Working with Rob and his creative team was truly special. They booked me continuously on all their LA projects, giving me my first taste of film and television on the movie “TED 2”, and directly after, “The Academy Awards”. Ever since, I have found set-life truly magical and enjoy dance-for-camera as both a performer and choreographer. Some favorite credits include “Megalopolis”, “Spellbound”, “Physical”, “Loot”, “General Hospital”, and “The Grammys”.
My first Christmas in LA, I was cast as a dancer and actor in the holiday Panto, “Aladdin and His Winter Wish”, with Lythgoe Family Productions. Having zero musical theatre experience, I was nevertheless chosen to originate the role of Spirit of the Ring alongside a star-studded cast that included Ben Vereen, Bruce Vilanch, Richard Karn, and Barry Pearl. Watching these incredible actors work was a monumental gift. I learned so much, and my love of musical theater erupted. I have since toured Aladdin as dance captain, joined the Garry Marshall Theater as dance captain and ensemble in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, was part of the original cast of “Disney’s Frozen: Live at the Hyperion”, and got to play in the Reefer Den as the female ensemble vacation swing for the LA revival of “Reefer Madness”.
At my one-year anniversary with LA, I was invited to audition for choreographer and creative director, Daniel Ezralow. Miraculously, I managed to book the only open female slot in his upcoming show, and thus began my time as a company member in Ezralow Dance. Daniel’s brilliant mind and depth of character transformed me as he patiently pulled to unlock my full potential. Working with him changed my entire outlook on dance as a medium for storytelling, and I will forever credit him with shaping the artist I am today. Some opportunities with Ezralow Dance include originating the role of Pearl in “Pearl: The Show” at its Lincoln Center premier and beyond; working with Katy Perry as a dancer, stand-in, and rehearsal director at events including “The Met Gala”, “The Grammys”, and “Wango Tango”; touring the US, including my hometown of Dallas, with the show “OPEN”; and getting to perform some of Daniel’s most iconic pieces in the premier of “Primo Passo”.
As I expanded as a performing artist, I found my confidence build as a production creative and educator. My first deep dive into working on the other side of the camera arrived in the form of Rehearsal and Install Director for the company that started it all for me: Celebrity Cruises. It was a beautiful, full-circle moment, moving from the roll of cast member to a roll that encouraged such a broad range of growth in teaching, staging, adapting, coordinating, choreographing, and directing. The skills I gained in notating choreography and learning multiple tracks within one show provided me the experience to confidently take on “swing” roles as a performer, such as in Carrie Underwood’s Vegas Residency and the skills I gained in communicating efficiently between the tech crew, cast, and production teams was instrumental in my evolving role as a specialty artist and soloist. I have since toured as a guest artist with Andrea Bocelli, originated solo work in shows such as Club Babalu, manage my own business as a specialty performer, and choreograph regularly for various entertainment companies and musicians.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think my success in navigating the entertainment industry lies in my ability to continue challenging myself. Newness has always been exciting to me, and I find great joy in developing fresh skills. I believe that every job is an opportunity for growth and expansion, and every moment provides new tools with which to approach the next one. Instead of fearing the unknown, I have learned to embrace it, for it is within the unknown that anything is possible. Receptivity to the present and the ongoing exploration of creative expression are mindsets that I now enjoy sharing as a teacher and mentor. I love connecting people back to themselves through movement, inspiring them to recognize their own strength and greatness as they take on personal challenges every session. You can find me at The Six Compound in Studio City teaching aerial classes for youth and adults, The Industry Loft of Hollywood teaching pop up classes for BARRED Dance, and back at The Six Compound for open level vinyasa flow classes and breathwork. Let the journey continue! I am still the eager dancer who is attempting to do “everything”, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Personal photo: Doug Penikas
Additional photos
1) Ted Soqui
2) Lindsey Maxwell
3) AJV Fotoworks
4) Luca Rossetti
5) Luca Rossetti
6) Sienna Wilson
