🗣️🗣️My guest for Episode 11 📣📣
The stunningly talented SHELLEY MAXWELL ❤️
In this episode of 'I Do What I Do,' I have the pleasure of talking my longtime friend, the extremely talented and sought after Dancer, Movement Director, Choreographer and Writer, Shelly Maxwell. We dig into her world of movement, her impactful work in theater, film, and TV, in the multiple productions that have been blessed to have Shelley’s touch. We talk about the intricacies of movement direction, the challenges of balancing creative vision with collaboration, and bringing yourself into the room and creating equitable spaces. As always, this episode is a rich exploration of creativity and the resilience required to forge a path in the performing arts.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Hello 👋🏾
00:35 Meet Shelley (I call her Bells)
01:18 Shelley's Impressive Career Highlights
05:46 Understanding the Role of a Movement Director
07:30 The Importance of Intimacy Direction
09:28 Shelley's Jamaican Roots and Cultural Impact
14:16 Navigating Creative Spaces and Challenges
22:14 The Collaborative Process in Theatre and Film
36:29 The Reality of Rehearsals and Previews
40:50 Navigating Emotional States in Creative Processes
41:17 The Subjectivity of Reviews
42:54 The Importance of Audience Connection
43:55 Learning from Criticism
46:56 Always stay learning
48:17 Capturing Inspiration
53:38 Balancing Passion and Practicality
01:00:02 Choosing the life that makes you happy
01:08:42 What Will Shelley Do
01:11:22 Lipton Tea Time
MEET 👋🏾
Shelley Maxwell (I call her ‘Bells’) is a Choreographer, Movement Director, and Intimacy Professional working across Theatre, Film and Television. Shelley has been nominated for a whatsonstage award for her work on “Get Up Stand Up” (The Bob Marley musical) and in 2019 won the inaugural Black British Theatre award for her work as choreographer on “Equus” at the Trafalgar Studios. ‘Bells’ was born and raised in Kingston Jamaica where she trained as a dancer and budding choreographer. Before hanging up her dance shoes Shelley was a performer in Disney’s London production of “The Lion King” and various Dance companies both in Jamaica and the United Kingdom.
Her recent work slate includes the sold out play “Shifters”, “Macbeth” starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo and the ITV television series Joan which is currently airing in the UK. Shelley was the sequence Choreographer on Disney’s “The Marvels” and recently completed choreography for a long running series for Netflix, currently in post production. She holds a MA in Choreography from the Laban Dance Conservatoire and whenever time allows, spends her time pursuing her other passion - writing.
CONNECT w/ Shelley Maxwell 🤝🏾🤝
@maxwell_shelley (instagram)
WE TALKED
💎 You’re only as good as your last job
💎 Coining the title - Movement Choreographer
💎 Movement Director vs Choreographer
💎 Intimacy Director
💎 Being the Black Caribbean Female in the room
💎 Compromise for the work, not yourself
💎 Navigating different environments on every job
CHECK OUT
🔎 Equus
🔎 Secret Life of Bees
🔎 Get up, Stand up (the Musical)
🔎 Crystal Pite - Betroffenheit
🔎 Sadler’s Wells
Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do.
❤️
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