Reality shows have inspired many people to follow their dreams of becoming a dancer or singer. Often times the contestants on these shows lack the fundamental skills or training to proceed along in the competition. Yet, some seem as if they were born for that moment in the spotlight. One such person who was “born to dance” is Laurieann Gibson star of shows such as ‘The Dance Scene ,’ and ‘Born to Dance.’ Laurieann who is commonly known as “Boomkack,” is a passionate dancer and choreographer who believed early on that she truly had a calling for dance and that she was blessed with a gift from God.
Laurieann shared that she was fortunate to have a mother with a strong moral content who believed in education. She encouraged and inspired her to pursue her gift of dance and the creative arts and the behavior of dedication to whatever she put her mind to whether it was sports or anything else. Laurieann was also inspired by artists such as Debbie Allen and Diana Ross when she was a little girl dreaming. Seeing them made it possible for her to see her dreams materialize. Laurieann shares how pursuing your dreams as a dancer can become a reality.
What would you tell an aspiring dancer facing roadblocks from family or friends telling them to get a “real job?”
I tell them I have a “real job”, it’s really good and it does pay well. It is hard work. It’s not something that they should take lightly. There shouldn’t be a fantasy approach to the idea of being a dancer. You need perseverance because you will be challenged. So I would tell them it is a real job and it is a real gift. Your gift will make room for you, it is enough and I really believe that if you work hard then it produces a multitude of great things as a result of the work that you put in.
For the kid in Nebraska who wants to be a professional dancer, what advice would you give on the basic dance tools and the business side needed to be a professional dancer?
I think the most important thing is training. Training makes a difference versus just knowing hip hop or the latest video trend. Those things are good for style, but the training is just like any profession or professional. The idea that you are trained whether it is ballet, modern dance or a different type of technique whether it is Graham (Martha), Lester Horton or Alvin Ailey, I studied all of it. The technique of dance and the training allows you to be versatile and continue to reinvent yourself as a dancer so you can work with anybody or choreographer. The training is really, really necessary and very important.
What are career options for the person trying to break into dance, if things aren’t working out after putting in the time and work?
If you love dance and you have the gift of teaching, teaching is super amazing and important because my teachers planted that seed in me. As a teacher you understand the difference or the definition of a Baryshnikov or a Gregory Hines, so teaching is really important and very necessary. Choreography is amazing. I’m still a dancer, yet I transitioned into choreography then as a Creative Director. All of these creative elements are brought out of being a dancer. Directing is something that comes out of understanding movement and choreography. Directing movement is directing a dance piece. These are all legitimate steps and stages that come out of a person who studies the creative process to dance.
You are the Creative Director at Interscope Records working with developing artists. How is that experience?
I’ve worked with an array of artists and it’s really magical to me when I get an artist when they’re at that stage for me to develop their technique. I learned a lot from Charles “Cholly” Atkins (famed Motown choreographer). At Motown they really believed that artist development was really a necessity. They understood when the artist actually made the turning point to where they became the record; they became the lifestyle and the brand. They became what you could market. The artist brought the record to life. I hold the Creative Director role very near and dear to me. I enjoy getting an artist at the beginning stages, and then I’m able to pull out something that is so pure and actually create their individual style. From how they pick up the microphone, to how to look on the stage, to their dance steps, to their talk, their opinions, to what they wear, so it really gets to be developed from the beginning.
Dance has evolved over the years. It was hot in the 80’s, then not, now it’s hot again. How has TV and other media changed the opportunities for dancers?
I think reality TV for dancers has changed for the better. There are more opportunities and the platforms that we are being given are better. We have more job security and TV is allowing different levels of dance to come through to the forefront. People can now take their abilities and turn them into brands and make these top dollars. These opportunities are out there because of the success of dance in television and movies such as ‘Born to Dance,’ ‘Dance Scene,’ ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ and ‘Footloose.’ These are amazing vehicles that show the networks and the advertisers that dance is a viable brand and it has marketing power and dollar power and spending power. We need that because as dancers we don’t open our mouths. So what do we do, we dance and it’s very difficult to communicate that. It’s amazing that these television shows have birthed another surge of dance. People love it because it makes it emotional and allows it connect to their spirit.
There are numerous dance competition shows on TV. Would you suggest an aspiring dancer pursue reality TV in order to perfect their craft or to be seen?
I too stood in a long line after picking up the backstage audition notices when I got off the Greyhound bus in New York, because that is what I had access to. If you really want to dance professionally and speaking for me and my team and the Producers on ‘Born to Dance,’ these (reality shows) are real opportunities and not just a trophy. You have to be mindful about what show you pick and what vehicle you’re walking into. If you’re somewhere in Ohio or Oklahoma who really does have the gift of dance and need an opportunity I think that these shows are viable and able to get you a start that’s legitimate.
You’ve choreographed some of the biggest musical acts in the world, Emmy nominated and you have your own TV shows (‘Born to Dance’ and ‘The Dance Scene’). Do you plan to open a dance academy?
I’m definitely planning on having my own dance company. I do teach but the dance company is in the distant. Every time I create or choreograph with my dancers I am constantly creating my formulas or my opinion of how to better them as technicians, how to inspire them, how to make them stronger, brighter, faster, shinier. How to make them more capable so the entire time I’m building my academy and I’m building my company even as I’m working, but it needs to be at the right time.
What inspires you when you work with A-list artists such as Sean “P. Diddy’ Combs and Lady Gaga to create the footwork when you hear the music?
With Lady Gaga in particular I see it when I hear the song. I listen to how she sings and the way she breathes. I then know how to create performance movement, dance, choreography and staging based on how she records the record and also out of her ability. I base everything out of her ability, in its awkwardness or quirkiness I make it beautiful. That is what was so great about having someone like Lady Gaga who would try anything and who is fearless. The inspiration was to birth something that wasn’t so perfect and make it perfect because it was honest.
You’ve accomplished a great deal. What is Laurieanne Gibson’s ultimate dream?
Wow, that’s a huge question. I think there is a journey for me as an artist where I can be completely transparent. I think there will be a place where I can prove to young kids who have dreams, that they can make it. (I’m getting emotional) I think there will be a place where I can prove that anything is possible. Then of course all of the directing I’d like to do. I will take a moment as an artist to create music and a vehicle where based on the perception of that position I can really affect a direct change in the artist or performer with everything I do. When I get to that point of freedom where people just say “Oh you’re the Director, you’re directing,” that will be a super special gift to me. I feel like that is something I will be doing forever. There is a moment where I want them without a shadow of a doubt to be inspired to say that if Laurieann Gibson can do it then I know that I can do it.
Is there an artist that you would like to work with or feel that you can take to the next level?
I would like to work with Chris Brown. I’ve worked with him in the past, but I would like to work with him a little bit more because I think he has such an incredible gift of dance. He’s had some problems and he might not have done all of the right things in the eyes of the world, but for heaven’s sake none of us are perfect. What I do know is that his ability for the gift of dance is super colossal. I’d like to say if he could get all of the right information; and from me he would. He is pretty unstoppable, but I’m trained so I believe I could take him to the next level beyond what he’s doing now.
You speak about faith and how it has helped you. What advice do you have for the struggling dancer?
It was the gift of dance and there’s evidence that God did give me something specific like he gave everyone something specific. What he gave me was enough and more powerful than me even in my weakest moment to want to quit. My gift kept me going and that’s where I understand faith and I understand God and all the great things that people do or that I’m doing its God blessing me. It’s not me.
What would you like the world to know about you that they don’t know?
I’m pretty transparent. I feel like I’m just beginning. I don’t feel I’ve achieved success. I shouldn’t say that because I’m grateful and I don’t want to negate how hard I’ve worked. It’s been a tough journey. I feel like I just got here and I’m just beginning. I’m just like everyone else and I just want to really fulfill the dream inside of me that I know God gave me. I want to really be an example and never give up. If I can fight to never give up and I can inspire that will be enough for me. To inspire is at the core of my being. Inspiration. To prove to the world that everyone that believes that they aren’t going to make it, can make it.