FEATURED DANCER: ANABEL KUTAY
Tell us a little about yourself...
My name is Anabel Kutay. I am based in London. I have been
dancing professionally for 15 years for companies such as Matthew Bourne's New
Adventures and The McOnie company. I have also danced in dozens of West End
musicals ranging from Phantom of The Opera to Flashdance to Guys and
Dolls.
I've danced for Madonna, Beyoncé, Florence and the Machine and
was a top 14 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance in the UK
How long have you been dancing for?
I started lessons when I was 3 and never stopped!
What styles of dance do you specialize in?
I trained originally as a Ballet dancer and thought that would
be my path, but upon graduating from ballet school my eyes were opened to the
wide variety of dance styles I could adapt to. I think solid ballet training is
a great basis for all styles.
I have morphed into a contemporary, musical theatre dancer and
commercial dancer over the years. I even learned Latin and ballroom for my time
performing in Dirty Dancing in the West End.
What made you want to start dancing?
I am a very emotionally expressive person but I can be quite shy sometimes and I was even more shy as a child. Dancing was my way of expressing myself without words.
Photos by @_alexfine
What has been your greatest accomplishment on your dance career?
The opening night of a quirky little show called DRUNK for The
McOnie Company. We created the show from scratch and it was so highly
acclaimed despite being a tiny fringe show. It will always hold a special place
in my heart.
What has been your most memorable moment?
The LA premiere of my first movie.
I played the role of April in HIGH STRUNG MOVIE. I was so determined to be in a dance movie before I retired from dance- a movie is eternal after all! It was such a perfect stepping stone into my acting career.
What has been your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge has been moving away from my dance career
over the past few years and establishing myself as an actress.
It was hard to convince the film industry and convince myself
that my dance experience was relevant to acting!
What advice would you give to other dancers?
Determination and perseverance are key. Passion and drive can
trump talent sometimes but being the very best you can be and always pushing
yourself for that extra pirouette will stand you in good stead. I am a great
believer in healthy competition and observation too. When I was at ballet
school I used to mimic the very best people ... I would copy and copy until I
was better than them ... and when I was better that's when i began to create my
own style and become the artist I dreamt of being!
Be sure to follow Anabel on Instagram and Twitter
Twitter: @anabelkutay
Instagram: @anabelkutay
As well as subscribing to her blog which is filled with insight and adventures in the world of dance and acting.
https://anabelkutay.wordpress.com/