Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Mae Shump
Hi Chelsea Mae, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began training under the late Richard Moore at Theatre 8:15 and Theatre Dance Center in Green, Ohio. Upon his passing, I decided to join a local pre-professional dance company with a focus on ballet and modern dance. I studied far and wide to enhance my tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop skills.
Starting at age 12, I began my choreography journey at Theatre 8:15. By 14, I was setting large pieces on dancers and singers of all ages. I quickly realized that dance instruction and choreography were my calling.
Upon graduation, I had little luck in college considering how poorly I faired in high school. Standard schooling and I did not agree. I need to move to learn!
I then realized the goal of dancing professionally. I auditioned over and over again and was told “you’re a modern dancer”. It felt like an insult at the time, but looking back it was a blessing. I got my first company contract with a new modern dance company and was immediately contacted by local studios to teach classes.
I began working in the field. At the same time my mentor, Nate Allen Smith, started Spotlight Theatre Company which produced multiple shows a yearly on top of a full outreach program. We rehearsed in a church gymnasium and local studios on our limited budget. The next year, I became the Assistant Director.
I continued teaching at studios, directing school shows, teaching Phys Ed, while still holding a restaurant/bar job to keep my income somewhat stable.
I successfully created three tap dance programs at schools who had little to no experience in that genre. 15 years later, two of the three are still going even without my direction.
During the Covid lockdowns, I became very uninspired to create. My students were quite literally the glue that held me together as I suffered domestic violence. The studio was my freedom and where I felt safe. Upon publicly sharing my sadness and lack of inspiration to dance or choreograph, I was sent a piece of mail from my employer stating what a terrible person I was and that I was terminated… on my birthday.
Upon the reopening of dance studios, I was offered a position to teach tap and jazz at a notable local ballet school. I accepted and was very excited.
Three years later, I discovered highly inappropriate behavior between artistic staff and students. Grooming behaviors and unwanted touch were happening in my own classroom. I couldn’t sleep at night thinking I had failed the students that I aim to protect.
As the weeks went by, more and more abusive behaviors and practices were coming to the surface. I quit my job after begging the staff and administration to do the right thing.
The next day, I received a series of phone calls encouraging me to start my own program. One of those calls was an offer to use a local studio space as I see fit.
Upon reaching out to colleagues and friends, I realized I could likely do it. I hired them. And here we are.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
NO. I sell a specific type of service. It’s not like selling cheeseburgers. Not everyone wants to dance, or they have seen enough of televised dance to not want to put their kids through that.
Another struggle is my location. I’m in a great area that is littered with dance studios. The market is already saturated.
The biggest of the struggles is my business model. I am a no-contract program, meaning you come when you can. If you want to improve you will. I will not force a contract on a child and their training. I am in the minority with that model, but I really believe in it. I also pay my instructors higher than the average wage expected. That will not make me rich. And that’s fine by me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I run a dance program that is inclusive to all. I specialize in teaching tap dance, although I’m qualified to teach modern, contemporary, ballet, and jazz as well.
I am known for my teaching style which is generally laid-back in the sense of “come as you are and do your best”. I don’t demand perfection, just your best.
I am also known for my sense of humor and entertainment quality in my work. Slapstick humor translates well in dance. I lean into that. It’s not uncommon to see my dancers looking confused, sobbing, laughing, sleeping, or rapidly repeatedly bowing. I want every person in the audience to enjoy it, not just dancers. Audiences generally are not made up of dancers.
I am most proud of the people my former dancers have become. Whether they dance or not, I can see that I’ve built their confidence or at least given them the tools to dance when they can, how they can, and if they can. Dance instructors teach the same children for 10+ years in many cases. They are important to me.
What sets me apart is my desire for change in the entertainment industry. The more organizations I’ve worked for, the more I’ve learned on what I liked and didn’t like. I think it’s time we hold people accountable for their words and actions, which unchecked commonly lead to the life-threatening illnesses of eating disorders and mental health struggles. I am different because I’m talking about it publicly.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The qualities I’ve acquired through dance training have bettered my life. I have the drive to “finish the show” regardless of what happens during it. That applies to all endeavors. I might cry backstage, but you’d never guess it once I get out there. Dance training teaches you how to think on your feet, quickly problem solve, and laugh about it later.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brand.page/thejivehive
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559825935390&mibextid=LQQJ4d
