Today we’d like to introduce you to James Shannon Filmore. They and their team shared their story with us below:
J. Shannon Filmore is a graduate of Fort Hayes Performing Arts High School, where his passion for dance began. He has also studied at BalletMet Columbus and with the Columbus Youth Ballet. In his early days, Shannon trained with and performed in local productions under the direction of Shelly Steward, Lawrence Lemon, and Gamal Brown. Shannon’s development as a dance artist is characterized by his extreme tenacity and ambition, pursuing diverse affiliations and performance opportunities from the East Coast to the West. In his professional career, Shannon has participated as a dancer and choreographer/creative director with Xclaim Dance Company since 2011. Shannon’s Choreography and creative direction have been featured all over the Midwest in festivals, concerts, and shows. Including Columbus Museum of Art festival called Wonderball 2023 and in Columbus Fashion Week 2021 and 2023 He’s worked closely with various recording artists as a dancer and choreographer/creative director for live performances, in music videos, and on tours. He is a former coach for The Columbus Optimistic Ladies (an award-winning Majorette dance team). Shannon has also served as an instructor of various dance styles with a focus on Contemporary, Hip Hop, and other African Diaspora forms, which he’s taught widely in Ohio and throughout the Midwest. He’s been teaching as a part of the Xclaim Faculty and Funklab/Modern Elements dance studios since 2019. He is currently a part of the Star Dance Alliance as a traveling Competition Judge.
Shannon is the President of Tru Kingdom Mega Crew Inc., an all-styles dance crew he co-founded in 2017. The group has performed in several collaborations with Xclaim and other dance companies throughout Central Ohio. TKMC received “2021 Best Dance Crew in Ohio” and the “2022 Grace Dance Award for Excellence in Hip Hop”. Shannon’s accolades include: “2021 Buckeye Choreographer and Dancer of the Year”. Shannon has received individual artist grants from the Greater Columbus Arts Council (in 2021, 2022 & 2023). Recently graduated, the Lincoln Theater Artist program sponsored by GCAC. His choreography has also been awarded and featured in the 2022 Ohio Dance Festival, and he taught as part of the festival in 2023.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest obstacles that I have faced being an artist is funding. Whether is for local events or hiring dancers and collaborators for projects, it’s been a struggle fund the ideas. While being a working artist and individual dancer, I really focused on my own worth and what type of work put out in the world. I have now transitioned as creative director. It’s my duty as a leader/director to make sure the artist paid fairly for work such as rehearsal time. While keeping in mind funding for space, costuming, and other resources that it takes to make projects happen. It’s not always been a smooth road, whether having to cut dancers, struggles with finding or renting space, or simply not be able to pay is the absolute worst. Going through an artist development program and being heavily involved with the community as really opened my eyes to funding opportunities that are available. I really want to be a light for those that faced these struggles build a path and help sustain our community for long term.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
What I found about finding a mentor is that you most first find networks that really expand or focus on your own personal goals. Mine was to find diverse successful artist/leaders in different genres and facets of dance. This really worked for me but also took time and really struggle for me. I found that, at first, I was all over the place and not able to focus on type of leaders that really inspired me do more and be better. I found that what drew me in and also it’s a two-way path like any relationships. So, it’s important the mentor you choose also chooses you. Be open to feedback and make sure they can also be a truthteller. This for me was essential for me and make sure I really followed up on the advice provide and apply the lessons constantly.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jshannonfilmore
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.filmore?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_MMxmKbI0wg3OVJJvwSAw
Image Credits
@Neverseensvisuals
@redmangofilms
