From sea to shining sea, part of the shimmer is the gold of OU alumni. There are music, theatre and dance alumni on both the east and west coasts, and at many points in between. In the past we've brought you "catch up" stories of some of our California-based alums. Most of them were performers who had paid their dues over a number of years and found a way to "make it work" in a tough and competitive market. Read on for news about some very recent grads who are working hard and are determined to find their place in the show business dazzle of the Golden State.
Taylor Thompson (B.F.A. ‘13), a dancer and
Joshua Kelly (B.A. ‘13), an actor, drove across country to begin a life together in the early summer of 2013 -- twice. Josh explains, “The first trip across the country was a lot of fun, [
we] got an apartment the first day out there, then had to fly back to get the other car. The second time wasn’t that fun.”
While she was still at OU, Taylor danced for the 2012-2013 Pistons Dance Team. Evidently that highly competitive company was good experience. As of July 2014 she reports, “Right now in LA, I am in four companies, booking a lot of music videos, live dance gigs and one-night performances, all without a dance agent!” Getting an agent is her next goal and she is currently updating her dance reel.
The first company Taylor joined was LA Follies, which performs cute jazzy 1920s-themed dances all over Southern California.
Read more about them here. Taylor also dances with Show Off Dolls Dance Crew, a girls hip hop company that books gigs but also works to keep its members on the radar with dance auditions and jobs.
Read more about them on their Facebook page here.
Recently she joined Mystic India, which she describes as “this awesome Bollywood company.” Taylor said, “I have to learn more than 18 dances before September! Mystic India tours the world and I hope someday to be a part of the cast they take with them!”
Read more about them here. You'll enjoy the music too!
Taylor was delighted to be booked for the high profile Jessie J/Ariana Grande/Nicki Minaj music video "Bang Bang," but the night before the shoot she was worried that there had been a horrible misunderstanding and she had not really been cast. By 10 p.m. she had still not received the call sheet supposedly sent out 40 minutes previously. “Then six minutes later Josh recommended that I turn OFF my iMessage. I sent my email and right away got a response! I get the call sheet and I am at Paramount pictures at 11 a.m. the next day for 12 hours!”
Asked about how she feels about life in California and what advice she would give to a new grad thinking of moving out there, Taylor said, “LA is busy 24/7 and you can't be afraid of it. I love LA and being able to drive 40 minutes and be in Venice and hang out at the beach. I love the mountain scenery and hiking at sunset, the extravagant outdoor shopping malls and beautiful people everywhere. I love the dance community and how insanely talented and driven we are. Yes, there is an intimidating atmosphere about LA, as there is any big city. But there are moments in classes and auditions when you’re all sweating and working so hard learning together, you all feel like a family. I've learned to just be open and smile and cheer others on because that is how I want others to treat me! Just create a good vibe and amazing things will come your way.”
Taylor and Joshua Kelly have shared their LA experience, and Josh also believes things are going pretty well. He’s joined SAG/Aftra, the actor’s union, which he thinks is a big step in helping him move forward towards his goals. If you were watching carefully you may have seen Josh in
Pretty Little Liars, Wilfred, Hello Ladies (The Movie)
, The Comeback or
The Young and the Restless, in which he has a regular spot as a nurse. Joshua said, "It's tough out here, no matter how much preparation you think you have or whatever people have told you, that first year is a learning experience. It really does take at least a year to get settled and for things to start happening. With that said, I'm excited for a strong second year as things seem to be falling into place."
It sounds like Joshua is right about that. Over the past year he reports, “I've done my duties being an extra in many TV shows to help pay the bills. I got real lucky being in an upcoming AVIS commercial. I've been in a lot of USC and UCLA student films which has helped me to put together a pretty solid reel, and I was the lead in a big UCLA film that will be their center piece for alcohol awareness and will be on their website at the start of the year. I was a model in the LA car show as well.”
You can see some of Joshua’s work on his
IMDb page here.
Taylor is still looking for a dance agent, although she is signed with Tangerine Talent, a commercial agency. Joshua is already signed with an agent and he writes, “I got my agent by just sending out all of my information over two days. I've had some great auditions with them and after a couple of callbacks, I am ready to book something big.”
We hope for something big for both Taylor and Josh -- and soon!
Music, Theatre and Dance Grizzlies, wherever you are, send us your news so we can share it with your old friends! Email
gellis@oakland.edu