Interview Date: October 1st, 2023

Episode Summary: Christie Lee Manning, a versatile dancer, choreographer, actress, and educator. Christie shares her journey from growing up on the West Coast of Canada to moving to London, where she established herself in both the commercial and theater dance scenes. With notable projects like Wicked, Dance Monsters, and her work with House of Jazz, she discusses the unique opportunities London offers dancers, blending the best of Broadway-style theater and commercial dance.

She emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's true passions, staying motivated through rejection, and cultivating self-love and confidence. She offers valuable advice for aspiring dancers, stressing that success comes from consistency, knowing your "why," and building meaningful relationships in the industry. She also touches on her role in creating an immersive theater show from scratch, which became one of her proudest accomplishments.

Through candid insights, she encourages dancers to embrace their individuality, pursue diverse opportunities, and trust that success will come from staying authentic and persistent. This episode provides inspiration and practical wisdom for dancers looking to carve their own paths in the competitive world of dance.

Show Notes:

• (0:00 ) – Introduction to the episode and Christie Lee Manning

• (5:40 ) – Christie's early dance journey and transition to the UK

• (10:50 ) – The London dance scene: comparing it to New York and LA

• (14:30 ) – Advice for aspiring dancers and staying open to opportunities

• (24:50 ) – Christie's proudest accomplishments in dance and theater

• (34:30 ) – Overcoming rejection and staying motivated in a competitive industry

• (44:00 ) – Q&A with mentees

• (53:00 ) – Christie's advice on balancing authenticity, consistency, and career growth

• (1:00:00 ) – Final thoughts on authenticity, motivation, and creating a lasting dance career

Biography:

Christie Lee Manning is a London-based Canadian actor, dancer, educator and creative director. She is the founder of House Of Jazz, Jazz House Theatre, and UnCorked Theatre Company.

Theatre: Christie’s latest role was playing Queen Elenora in UnTitled Dance Company’s third full length production, ‘Astoria’. Prior to that she played the iconic Shirley MacLaine in the premiere of ‘Welcome To The Grand’, a new jazz theatre production taking London by storm. Christie recently had the pleasure of workshopping a new West End Theatre production entitled 'House Of Dance' directed by Dame Arlene Phillips.

Commercial: Christie has worked commercially with artists as Jack Whitehall, Sergei Polunin, Lenny Kravitz, Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado, Mike Snow, and Suzie McNeil. 

Other credits include The Voice, Netflix, New Balance, Telus, Nickelodeon, Ikea, Equinox, ‘Package Deal’ (TV), ‘Warehouse 13’ (TV), and Sky 1's 'Got To Dance' Season 5, where she was mentored by celebrity judge Adam Garcia and finished as a semi-finalist. Christie has also choreographed for a new Netflix series entitled 'Dance Monsters' due out late fall 2022. She is currently filming feature film 'Apartment 7A' as 'Hattie' alongside actress Julia Garner and choreographed by Ashley Wallen,

Company: Christie has worked extensively with Lukas McFarlane’s contemporary company, UnTitled. In the past three years, Christie has been a principal dancer in the company’s last four major projects, ‘Got To Dance’ Season 5, ‘Exposed’,  ‘The Suffocating Truth’, and ‘Astoria’.  Before that she spent two years working with Canadian company Lamondance, touring Brazil for two seasons and performing annually in Vancouver, BC. Christie has also worked with UnCorked Theatre on their last five theatre productions, making herself an irreplaceable and invaluable member of the company. Her latest role is a principal artist with Jazz House Theatre.

Connect on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/christieleemanning

https://www.facebook.com/christie.manning

Website

https://www.christieleemanning.com/