Damon Gillespie, 16, started dancing when he was 4, sang in his first talent show at age 6 and auditioned at age 11 for Center for Creative Arts with hopes of strengthening his dance skills.
“When I went to CCA, the only musical I’d ever seen was ‘Grease.’ I wasn’t into musical theater. I was introduced to it there, and now I want to pursue a career in it,” said Damon, a sophomore at CCA.
Damon, son of Tonya Gillespie, auditioned to change his major to musical theater in sixth grade. He has performed in showcases and productions at the performing-arts magnet school and is a member of the elite show troupe Choo Choo Kids.
“I watch professionals and see how intricate their dancing is, how phenomenal their acting is,” he said. “It amazes me and makes me want to do that kind of thing.”
His instructors at the school say he has the talent and work ethic to make it.
He has already won more than a dozen regional and national dance titles, recently was offered a modeling contract, and he has been referred to an audition in Atlanta for a national touring production of a new Debbie Allen show.
“His main strength is his dedication to the work,” said Lindsay Fussell, his choreographer.
“This kid works hard and picks things up so quickly. After six weeks of tap, he was doing steps that it takes many people months longer to learn.
“He has a great look onstage. He has that ‘it’ factor that really good performers have innately,” she said.
“Damon is that wonderful balance of outstanding talent, comfortable confidence, desire and willingness to learn, and a grateful spirit,” said Allan Ledford, musical theater instructor at CCA.
Q Who are your musical influences?
AI listen to anything that sounds good from stuff on Broadway to AC/DC to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to Tupac.
Q Who are your stage influences?
AAdam Pascal (Tony-nominated actor for “Rent” and the original Radames in “Aida”), dancer Ryan Steele and Aaron Tveit (Fiyero in “Wicked” and Frank Abagnale in stage show of “Catch Me If You Can.”)
Q When do you feel most at ease onstage?
AIn a production number or when I’m alone onstage and the spotlight hits me. That’s when I feel like the world is mine.
Q Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
ATen years from now I visualize going into movies, possibly musicals like Disney productions, or performing on or off Broadway.
QUICK BITES
Dance skills: Tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, modern and ballroom.
Dance instruction: Began with Crawford Dance Studio, now studies with Lindsay Fussell and Jessica Bowman.
Dance awards: Won first place in Applause Dance Competition and in Fabulous Talent Contest; two golds for hip-hop and jazz at Starlight Dance Competition; first in hip-hop at Starbound Dance Competition; first in duet hip-hop at Nexstar.
Stage roles: Twice played Amahl in “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland;” Edmund in ” The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” cast of “Aida.”
Upcoming audition: This weekend he will audition for actress/dancer Debbie Allen in Atlanta for a new musical interpretation of “Oliver Twist” that she is directing and choreographing.