Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelli Howard.
Hi Kelli, 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.
My journey as an artist hasn’t been a traditional or linear one and I would say that it continues to be a journey of exploration and discovery rather than one of being pointed in one specific direction.
My foundation as an artist is rooted mostly in dance and theatrical performance. I began formal training in dance at age three and began participating in theatre as an actor in high school.
Both art forms were massive parts of my adolescence, but neither were considered viable career options by my parents, so once I entered college, I took an extended hiatus from both.
Interestingly enough, during college, my artistic trajectory moved into the realm of writing, and I began writing English adaptation scripts for the anime entertainment company Funimation. I ended up writing scripts for various shows such as One Piece and Full Metal Alchemist. It was a really fun and unique experience and ultimately that’s how I supported myself during college.
While writing for Funimation, I began to develop an interest in filmic writing and cinema that eventually led me to work on several student films, independent art films (mostly shorts), and music videos as a writer and actor in the years during and following college.
After this period, my artistic life went through another dry spell of sorts. Following a series of less than fruitful artistic collaborations that left me feeling frustrated and disillusioned (of which I take my fair share of responsibility), I fell away and focused more on the business of just living life.
While I think this period of stasis was necessary, as time passed, I became increasingly aware of the negative effects that the absence of artistic expression was having on me, and once again, I began to seek out collaborators and artistic outlets – this time returning to my dance and theatrical roots.
This was about 4+ years ago, and this is when I sought out collaboration opportunities with the award-winning Dallas-based dance theatre and performance art company the Danielle Georgiou Dance Group, and more specifically with Danielle Georgiou and her partner Justin Locklear.
After dancing with the Eastfield dance company for a season (after over 15 years away from dance) under the direction of Danielle Georgiou, I was given the opportunity to perform with DGDG.
Since that initial performance, I have been involved in multiple theatrical productions, dance productions, performance art pieces, and art films with the DGDG company in roles as dancer, actor, performer, assistant choreographer, and assistant director.
While working with DGDG, I have also been fortunate enough to collaborate with other members of the company, specifically Nick Leos – founder of the Dallas-based independent theatre company Leos Ensemble, choreographer, and artist Alondra Puentes, and most recently choreographer and artist Lexis Greer. Through these additional collaborations, I have honed my skills as a collaborator, performer, dancer, and most recently as a theatre director and theatrical film director.
To say that my involvement with the Danielle Georgiou Dance Group and with my fellow company members has provided me with exponential growth and actualization as an artist would be a massive understatement. Without them (and specifically Danielle Georgiou), I would not be the artist that I am today.
Presently, my hope is to continue collaborating with DGDG and my fellow company members and to continue exploring and honing my skills as a performance artist, actor, dancer, and director, and I am particularly interested in exploring opportunities to make more video and film work – both behind and in front of the camera.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As previously stated, it has definitely not been a smooth or linear road due to a multitude of factors – lack of support, disillusionment, and uncertainty.
However, my journey is very much tied to discovery and exploration. Difficulties and a general murkiness of direction or purpose are simply par for the course, and I embrace the struggle as part of the ongoing learning process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As previously stated, my work is predominantly in the realm of dance, dance theatre, theatre, performance art, and more recently theatrical and film production, with a healthy dose of writing sprinkled in.
I’m proud of all of it. Everything I have worked on has developed who I am as a person and an artist.
I suppose what sets me apart from others is my non-traditional path and my lack of pedigree. I don’t have degrees in any of my practiced art forms. I have simply followed my interests, put myself in the room with artists I admire and respect, I am hungry and willing to learn from said artists, and I am not afraid to take risks or fail because those risks and failures do as much if not more, for my growth as any perceived successes could.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
It’s hard to say. The pandemic has impacted so many avenues of live performance in such a profound way and I think it will be years before we have a solid understanding of the far-reaching ramifications. I do foresee more growth in the digital realm of live performance – theatrical/dance films streamed performance and hybrids of digital and live performance.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kellijhoward
Image Credits
Justin Locklear
Frank Darko
Zack Huggins
Lynn Lane
