Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Gray.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Although dance runs in my family (my Mom and my Aunt were professional dancers), I officially got started pretty late at the age of 16. I segued from competitive gymnastics into dance and while I had natural ability, I was constantly reminded how difficult it was as a woman to start late and have a successful career. Thankfully, I was incredibly stubborn and determined and had some wonderful teachers who helped guide me along the way. I attended the State University of New York, College at Geneseo, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Dance, and trained on full scholarship at Steps on Broadway in New York City. My life would come full circle about a decade later when I became a faculty member at Steps and taught jazz and street jazz there for more than 12 years.
I enjoyed working as a professional dancer, but I always knew that I wanted to be a choreographer. Creating is what brings me the most joy and where I always felt like my greatest strength lies. While living in New York City as a young dancer, I started creating work for various choreography showcases around the city. For each one, I created a piece in a different dance style and always sent out headshots/resumes and tickets to various agents, inviting them to see my work. One night, I had a commercial jazz piece in a showcase at Alvin Ailey and the crowd went crazy, giving us a standing ovation. An agent who I had invited happened to show up that night and that was how I got my first choreography agent. I’ve been blessed to work as a choreographer all around the world since then, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, Dubai, and South Africa.
After nearly 20 years in New York City, one day my Mom called and asked me if I would ever consider moving down to Atlanta (where she was living). My Mom and I are very close, and I knew that she would feel more secure and happier having me nearby as she was getting older, so I decided to pack up and move down South. I am currently working with Xcel Talent as a choreographer and teaching at Kennesaw State University and Dance 101 Studios.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any artist will ever tell you it’s been an easy road. There are always challenges along the way, but being able to channel those emotions into art is incredibly healing. I have often created some of my best work while enduring challenge, whether that’s been a difficult end to a relationship or overcoming injury.
Back in the beginning, when I was first starting out in New York City, I lived in an old tenement building on the Upper West Side with 5 roommates. It was so broken down, my Mom didn’t even want to come up to see me living that way. I was training on scholarship at Steps at the time and we were so broke that our daily diet would often consist of a banana or bagel for breakfast, a piece of pizza for lunch and rice and beans for dinner because it was cheap. I was so anemic with that diet that I would bleed for an hour if I nicked myself shaving! I was taking multiple classes a day, 7 days a week, plus working two jobs. Oftentimes, I would collapse on my bed with my coat and boots still on at the end of the day, and only wake up when my feet starting cramping in my shoes. I always hated when my parents would say something like, “When I was your age, I walked 10 miles to school in the snow!” haha; but, for any young artists out there reading this – there really is no easy way. You have to love what you do more than anything and that love will keep you going during the tougher times. I am certainly not advocating becoming anemic and living in dangerous conditions haha; but, it does take a certain level of determination and grit, especially in the beginning.
You will hear no more often than yes. You will battle injury and/or self-doubt. You will have moments when you want to give up; but, if you can’t imagine your life without dance/art/music/creation, you’ll find your path to success. I have often told young dancers that I’ve mentored over the years that you can’t be afraid to live your life. Fall in love. Get your heartbroken. Go for that job. Risk rejection. Make mistakes. Travel as much as you can. Read books. See art in all its forms as often as possible. The more you experience, the more you will have to say as an artist. Living your life full out with feeling and experiencing love, loss, success, heartbreak is what makes you and your work relatable and universal.
Can you tell us a bit more about your work? What are you known for? What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I have spent the majority of my professional life as a choreographer and dance instructor. As a choreographer, I’ve worked mainly in the commercial world (live events, industrials, movie premieres, product launches, music videos/tours, tv and film), but have also done some theatre and concert work. As a dance instructor, I specialize in all things jazz (jazz, commercial, street jazz, lyrical/contemporary jazz, burlesque jazz, etc). When I first started working abroad, one of the things that international companies and training centers respected was that I was on faculty at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in New York City, as they are arguably two of the top dance studios in the world. As a creator/choreographer, I am known for being versatile and able to work across genres. I’ve also garnered the reputation of being a cool customer under pressure and being able to work quickly, which has proven to be an asset in the commercial world. In the South, I seem to have a reputation of being kind, but direct haha (you can take the girl out of New York City, but can’t take the New York City out of the girl :p).
One of the things I am most proud of was the experience I had working with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. I had the opportunity to choreograph the World and Australian premieres of their film, “The Great Gatsby”, working with over 50 dancers and 4 singers. We had 3 days to create 3 full numbers for each event. At the end of the 3rd day of rehearsal, Baz and his team were scheduled to watch the work we’d created for the show. D.C. (Baz’s assistant director) warned me that Baz usually would throw the work up against the wall and want to change it, and advised me to prepare my dancers to just go with whatever happened. To my surprise, Baz watched all of the numbers with an incredible creative intensity, and then turned to me at the end and said, “You just made a 50-year old man want to get up and dance. That’s exactly it. Congratulations to you and your company.” At the events themselves, Baz and CM told me that it was absolutely perfect and they’d work with me any day. I remember being in tears afterwards, feeling like every obstacle I’d overcome to get to that point was all worth it. I have so much respect for Baz and CM, and their validation was a huge moment in my creative life.
Having a circus arts and gymnastics/acrobatic background has helped to set me apart, as producers don’t have to hire multiple people if they are looking to incorporate those elements into their shows. I also have experience working with kids and actor/singers who don’t have a dance background, which has been helpful.. My Mom was a ballroom instructor when I was a kid and taught me all of the dances she taught to her classes, so that skill has also been useful, especially in film and tv. Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, getting a degree in Psychology has definitely helped along the way in working with all kinds of different people over the years, and being able to tap into their specific needs to bring out the best in them and help give them confidence in their performances.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I would probably say determination and persistence have been most important in my success. If I had given up when people said I was too old when I started, I wouldn’t have had the life I’ve had thus far.
I also have to give a shoutout to every single artist who creates work and puts it out into the world. It is akin to walking down a crowded street naked. You never know how people will react – some people may love it, others will be indifferent or even hate it – but, it takes tremendous courage to put yourself out there in such a vulnerable way and I applaud every single person who goes out on that limb every day. Artists are pretty incredible creatures.
Contact Info:
- Email: caitlin@caitlingraycreative.com
- Website: caitlingraycreative.com
- Instagram: @caitlingraycreative
