Meet Mary Kate Chapman | Dancer, Choreographer, & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Kate Chapman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Kate, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri and I’m extremely grateful for every individual that has helped guide me down the path that I’m currently heading towards today. When I was a little girl my mother thought I was an spirited child. She believed ballet class would be the perfect place for me to learn some discipline and at two years old, I discovered the perfect outlet to let out all that energy. My dance training strictly started in ballet and I didn’t begin to branch out until I switched to a competitive dance environment that shaped a big portion of my childhood and teenage years. The STL dance competition scene exposed me to so many different movement styles, interpretations, and opportunities. Taking advantage of any scholarships that came my way, traveling the country to continue to enrich my education in all styles such as contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, modern, lyrical, musical theater, and heels is what made me truly aware of my love for dance. Every class I took has passed on intelligence instilled within me. I find it beautiful how extremely dense and diverse the performing arts can be. I have always found joy in learning new approaches or perspectives as well as meeting new artists. Traveling to new environments has helped me understand more about who I am to the core, inside and out. Eager to learn more, I joined my high school’s competitive dance team that as a member I became a Missouri State Champion as well as a National Champion at ESPN and additionally I performed “The Nutcracker” with the Missouri Ballet Theatre as a child company member on pointe. For as long as I can remember, I would always raise my hand whenever asked who wanted to be a dancer when they grew up. I could never imagine doing anything else. I pursued my dreams further by attending the American Musical & Dramatic Academy Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York City, and I’m a pending graduate of the American Musical & Dramatic Academy College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles with my BFA in dance theatre. Growing up in Saint Louis has helped me to prepare to live and thrive in these big cities. STL helped nurture and develop my sense of self as well as flourish and harness my education within the arts and I’m forever grateful for all the knowledge that has been passed onto me to become the versatile dancer and individual that I am today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Movement is my primary language. It’s how I communicate, express, and deeply feel. I enjoy observing dance styles through a magnified lens of different personalities. I use all my classical and experimental training to create a beautifully blended unique sense of rhythm and flow of ideas that highlights each of these different athletic personas. As a flexible and liberated mind, I am a performer, choreographer, and multi-medium artist that creates celestial and immersive works influenced by art history, surrealism within the natural world, and first-hand experience. I invite my audiences to take a voyage away from actuality in exploring themes of escapism and depiction to recall hidden and graphic echoes within the brain. I got to where I am today by trusting not only myself, but my training and the environment around me. I love to open doors that appear to be closed. My curiosity is a huge factor in differentiating me from others. Channeling the subtle and explosive energies of life, I can create athletic works of art based on any movement style or pull from inspiration to be raw and alien. My journey wasn’t easy. I fight being put in a box by honing my versatility. It is my superpower. There shouldn’t be a label to give, I am one of a kind. I have learned to be unapologetic in the sense of being tenacious, insightful, and calculated. I have accomplished a lot already, however I have a list of what I’m ready to conquer next in terms of performing as a dancer, choreographing, videography, and much more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to some beach spots, either Manhattan beach or Malibu to lay out in the sun, have a picnic, and play some rounds of beach volleyball. I’d also take them to the Getty museums, I love the art within these locations and they always have a new display, my last favorite exhibition I saw was the Poussin dance exhibit, it was stunning. I’d also take them to lunch near the shore and conclude the evening with a rooftop dinner in DTLA. The next morning we would have to get brunch. Brunch is mandatory when visiting me and such an LA staple. Anywhere with live music, is on the roster as well as any current shows in the area. When visiting me there will always be an activity to attend to.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to shoutout my family, they are so loving a supportive and without there help I would not be where I am today. Your efforts mean the world to me. To my parents Beth & Wright Chapman and my brother Drew Chapman as well as my Grandparents, Katy & Rick Linteris as well as Mary & Edgar Chapman, I love you guys so much and I am truly grateful for everything you guys do. Thank you for helping my chase my goals. I also want to thank all my friends who constantly show support. I have immense gratitude for each and every single one of you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marykate.chapman/ @marykate.chapman

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marykatechapman

Image Credits
Lindsay Rosenberg, Winnie Mu, & Megan Cullen