Today we’d like to introduce you to Nannette Brodie.
Hi Nannette, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My life began in Hollywood as the granddaughter of Maurice O’Hare, who brought Universal Studios from New York to Hollywood. I grew up in San Gabriel, attended Cal-State LA receiving my BA in Fine Art and my MA in Dance. I began teaching at Chico State College for a year, then returned to where the action and dance world was in LA. I danced with the Moving Company in Pasadena for 8 years, performing under NEA projects. I taught on the faculties of Loyola-Marymount University and Long Beach City College before settling into a long career as Dance Chair at Golden West College. As an actress, I performed in commercials and as a performer in musical theatre productions in Southern California. In 1986 I premiered my own company, Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, and we have been performing in concerts, fashion events, teaching in the community and creating films. Our company has traveled to several states in the USA, as well as performing in Mexico City, France, Czech Republic, Finland and Iceland. I was married for 43 great years to John Brodie, who passed away in 2018. We have two sons and 4 small grandchildren. That is a brief story about me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some struggles include balancing a family with being a choreographer, teacher, and director. We figured it out, and my family has been very supportive of my work. There’s always ups and downs related to keeping the dance company funded, which made me become a pretty good grant writer. As a dancer, I have worked my body strongly and now have two knee replacements, but keep it going!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an artist from the time as a child, having worked in painting, printmaking dance, singing, and acting. I love the process of creating and in particular the art of improvisation. Plus, I love teaching dance, especially choreography and improvisation. I like the discoveries! My work is really Dance Theatre as the work has strong themes and stories within them. I like the research I put into a project, the history, interviews with people, creating a narrative and vocabulary of movement. I strive to make each work unique as I am not trying to make a style, rather I want to create an environment, a story or imaginative place. I want the audience to be moved with delight, compassion, laughter and the whole gamut of emotions.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like that the city of Long Beach has been supportive of my work through grants from the Arts Council. I like the history of my city and am presently working on projects that highlight historic places in Long Beach. I have lived here since 1973.
Pricing:
- Ticket prices range from $20 to $50 for concerts
- To hire the company for a school assembly is $ 850
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nannettebrodiedance.org
- Instagram: @nannettebrodiedance
- Facebook: nannette brodie dance theatre
- Other: vimeo.com/nannette brodie dance theatre
Image Credits
Brandy Factory
Steve Shea
