Seth Collier burst onto the worldwide dance movie scene in 2022 when he gained the Impressed Dance Movie Competition at simply 17 years previous. His runner-up? None aside from Emmy Award–successful choreographer Derek Hough. Now, Collier is able to take the skilled efficiency business by storm—beginning with a transfer from Australia to L.A. this July.
Collier chatted with Dance Spirit about his journey to bounce, how he turned a college mission into IDFF’s Better of the Fest–successful work, his objectives for the long run, and extra.
Dance Spirit: Inform us a bit about your dance coaching.
SC: I grew up on a farm, and my dad and mom knew nothing about dance. They put me in rugby for six years, however after I noticed my sister take a dance class at a close-by college known as Simply Dance, I instantly mentioned I wished to hitch too. At 12, I began dancing at a personal college known as West Moreton Anglican School. It had a great dance program and we competed towards different faculties. After I was in tenth grade, I traveled someday per week to coach at Dynamite Studios [one of Australia’s premier dance studios] on the Gold Coast. After that first yr, I joined the college full-time. It’s related to a school dance program within the U.S. the place you dance all day day by day and end with a qualification. Whereas there I targeted on industrial and musical theater dance, and I completed my full-time coaching with them in 2022.
DS: What’s the Impressed Dance Movie Competition?
SC: It’s an [Australia-based] competitors of dance work on movie, run by Adam Garcia—a former decide on Australia’s model of “Dancing with the Stars.” Folks from everywhere in the world submit their dance movies, and a handful of movies are chosen for the showcase in Brisbane. On the showcase the winner is introduced.
DS: Inform us a bit about your journey to successful the IDFF.
SC: After I was 16, I choreographed, filmed, edited, and danced in River, as a part of a college dance project. I didn’t have a crew or any actual assist filming it. I used to be pleased with it, however I by no means anticipated something to come back of it. In 2022 my dance instructor, Kate Wormald, was an envoy to the Impressed Dance Movie Competition and posted concerning the competitors. I submitted River, having no concept that I’d be competing with professionals like Derek Hough. I had no expectations that I’d win. Surprisingly, I used to be chosen for the showcase and gained Better of the Fest. I used to be utterly shocked.
DS: What different choreographic work have you ever completed?
I’ve choreographed and danced in movies for the Australian Broadcasting Company, together with a youngsters’ movie I did after I was 17 known as Viv’s Foolish Mango. I auditioned for the function of Brad within the movie, and once they gave me the half they requested if I’d be capable to additionally choreograph and dance within the present. Apart from that, I’ve completed numerous dwell performances, in addition to a music video for Alexa Curtis after I was 18 years previous.
DS: What was the turning level in your coaching if you realized you may make dance your profession?
SC: I’ve all the time danced and not using a profession mindset—it was simply one thing I liked doing. However throughout my yr of full-time coaching at Dynamite, I obtained picked for some solo moments and lead roles within the dances, and any doubt in my thoughts of my potential to pursue it as a profession left. The solidifying second was after I signed with my company, McDonald/Selznick [MSA] Associates, in October of 2023.
DS: What challenges have you ever confronted as a dancer?
SC: I’ve had moments the place I’ve felt like I wasn’t adequate, however the main challenges to my dance coaching got here from residing on a farm out within the bush. It took me an hour and a half to get to my dance lessons at Dynamite day by day. My dad and mom didn’t have a clue concerning the performing arts business, so I needed to navigate all of it on my own, and that was actually arduous.
DS: What are your goals for the long run?
SC: I’ve obtained numerous plans and goals. My present profession plan is to maneuver to Los Angeles this July and begin working with MSA. I’ve landed a job at Gravity Area LA in Hollywood, and can work there as a Dynamite consultant instructor and choreographer. Long run, I’d like to work within the industrial world and be a backup dancer for an artist.