Q&A
KIANA DVDS INTERVIEW Spotlight On GC Performers
WORDS: Marissa Burgess PHOTOGRAPHY Ben Adams and Supplied
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU ATTEND?
I grew up in a small country town called Mount Gambier in South Australia where I started my dance training at MJ Dance Studio.
At age 12, we moved to the Gold Coast Queensland where I continued my dance training at Dance Force Studios in Tweed Heads, NSW.
WHO TRAINED YOU?
I had a magnitude of teachers along the way who all played an integral part in helping me find and develop the dancer I am today. These include Maria Slape, Chrissy Whales, Nicole Wells, Ben Veitch, Sher Manu, and Heidi Jennings just to name a few… I give credit to all who taught and trained me throughout the years!
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING?
I don’t necessarily think I saw dance becoming such a pivotal part of my life. When I was around 15 years old I experienced some hard moments in my personal life that left me feeling very lacklustre and not so sure of what direction I wanted for my future. I was also very realistic about what it would take to be successful in the dance industry after watching generations above me move through the motions and I wasn’t sure that was something I was hungry enough for. But in the midst of my indecision (I’m a Gemini), a contract with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines came up. From that contract onwards with time, space, and opportunity to grow and add new skills to my set, I had that moment of ‘UH HUH’ this is ME!
WHO WERE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES THAT INSPIRED YOU, AND WHY?
My sister inspired me… she worked so hard for so many years. I could see when I watched her dance she had something other people didn’t. She embodied what dance was: movement, artistry, and passion, not to mention the physicality that comes with dance. I think seeing how much she loved it and how much I looked up to her over the years honestly drew me closer to the world of dance. From there I started to explore the industry more myself.
WHAT PERFORMANCE ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW?
I am currently working for Magic Mike Live, the show in Las Vegas, NV.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST BIG BREAK?
I think even getting out there and earning money to dance in the first place felt like my big break! But realistically 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 when I then moved to Las Vegas, NV to join the cast of the iconic 30-year-old original CDS show ‘MYSTERE’
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR?
* Travelling the world, earning money and dancing on cruise ships. (What more can you ask for?)
* Being a dancer in the ‘Elvis” movie shot on the Gold Coast.
* Performing on television for NBA Live and next to Shaquille O’Neal for Cirque Du Soleil. (While warming up in T-Pain’s bus!)
* Performing for Channing Tatum and Selma Hayek for Magic Mike’s Last Dance movie Premiere.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR LEISURE?
I love being outside… Give me some sunshine, water and greenery and I’m happy!
Walking, drinking coffee, eating delicious FOOD!
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME PITFALLS OF YOUR CHOSEN PATH?
* There are down seasons, between contracts, shows, and 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 learned that 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 into wholesome time with family back at home.
HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA PLAY A PART IN YOUR CAREER, IS IT IMPORTANT?
I was averse to bringing my life and career into the public eye. I didn’t place a lot of importance on it initially because I wanted to believe talent in a room was still highly sought after, but now I understand it is both! I do think now more than ever Instagram is our newly updated CV, dance videos, pictures, brand and personality can shine through on what you post. So I say YES, it is an important part of your growth and expansion in the dance community nowadays.
WHAT DO YOU ADVISE YOUNG PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT?
First and foremost for me… I say be HAPPY! Continue to dance, train and embody what comes with dance. The social aspect, elements of healthy competition, developing personality, building friendships and enjoying how fun it is to be on stage.
But dance is physically so challenging! I’m one who LOVES the physical push, I love struggling, being sweaty, pushing my body’s limits in a healthy way, so I say be strong, do ballet, learn good solid technique, rehab your injuries or weaknesses, practise working both sides of your body equally and train as much as you can.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Relax…. Personally, I’m a stress case! Do you know how much stress impacts your physical health? It manifests in the body in nasty ways and because of the pressure I would put on myself through my career my health has suffered at different points. So calm, calm, calm, time will heal and reveal all! Everything that is meant for you will not pass you! (That doesn’t mean don’t work hard!)
WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR MORE THAN ANYTHING THE GOLD COAST COULD HAVE THAT IT DOESN’T?
More of an entertainment industry! There are a few wonderful shows and tours that come through, but I wish our opportunities for work were much greater. I would love to envisage a world where I can live at home on the Gold Coast eventually and still perform or have work in entertainment.
WHAT DO YOU MISS WHEN YOU’RE AWAY FROM GC?
* Our incredible BEACHES
* Friendly people!
* So many dogs!
* A wayyyy too expensive but absolute fresh and delicious avocado toast with egg and a delicious coffee.
* Walking around in bare feet!
ANY FUNNY PERFORMANCE DISASTER ANECDOTES YOU CAN SHARE?
I accidentally took a chunk out of my dance partner’s head with my already fake tooth (HAHAHA!)
I also can’t jump when I’m laughing, the Cirque show had a LOT of jumping… there were so many amazing funny moments in that building resulting in times I couldn’t possibly get my body off the floor!