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Kelley Abbey

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Kelley Abbey
Born (1966-07-28) 28 July 1966 (age 58)
Inala, Queensland, Australia
NationalityAustralian
EducationCorinda State High School
Occupations
Known forPenguin choreography on Happy Feet
Television
Parent(s)Eric and Jill Abbey
AwardsGreen Room Award (twice)
Mo Award (twice)
Choreography Media Honours
Websitewww.kelleyabbey.com

Kelley Abbey (born 28 July 1966) is an Australian actress, choreographer, singer and dancer. She has been a leading performer and choreographer in TV, film and musical theatre for more than 20 years. She remains best known for her role on soap opera E Street as Jo-Jo Adams.

Abbey played Sheila in the 2003 Australian cast of Hair[1] and Rizzo in an arena production of Grease, and later choreographed an arena stadium tour of Grease – the Arena Spectacular.[2] Other musicals Abbey has choreographed include Follies at the Sydney Opera House, Footloose and most recently Hugh Jackman's The Boy from Oz in the Arena[3] for which she won a Helpmann Award along with Kenny Ortega.[4]

Career

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Abbey has showcased her choreography across a spectrum of productions, including Xanadu the musical,[5] Funny Girl featuring Caroline O'Connor,[6] Jesus Christ Superstar, Miracle City,[7] and Cabaret the Musical. Her portfolio extends to Gail Edwards's Carmen for Opera Australia's harbor production,[8] Gail's acclaimed rendition of Salome, and a unique interpretation of Carmen for John Bell staging at the Opera House. In 2010, Abbey. In 2010 she directed and choreographed a new rebooted version of Fame the Musical where she won another Helpmann Award. She also served as an associate director to Baz Luhrmann on Strictly Ballroom the musical.Kelley Abbey's impact on women's history and activism is profound and far-reaching. In 2011, her successful applications led to the induction of Abby Kelley Foster into both the National Women's Hall of Fame and the National Abolition Hall of Fame.[9] She has been instrumental in preserving and sharing women's stories through various initiatives, including the launch of the Worcester Women's Oral History Project in 2005 and the publication of the Women's History Heritage Trail booklet in 2002.[citation needed] Abbey continues to mentor young performers around the country about mindset and nurturing your creativity whilst pursuing a career in the Entertainment Industry.[10]

Abbey was honored at the Choreography Media Honours in Los Angeles for her outstanding cherography in her Oscar-winning feature Happy Feet.[11] In addition to this recognition,Abbey served as the head motion capture consultant on the film where she also operated "penguin school" and served as the principal motion capture performer, contributing significantly to the movie's success.[12]

She showcased her skills in the film In Her Skin starring Guy Pearce and Sam Neill, where she not only choreographed the film, but also played a memorable role. In 2004, Kelley facilitated the premiere of the one-woman play "Yours for Humanity – Abby," a testament to her commitment to bringing historical narratives to life.[13]

Abbey was special guest judge and choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance.[14] Her contributions extend globally as she choreographs for the So You Think You Can Dance franchise internationally. She also was chosen to represent Australia on the reality television show Superstars of Dance on the NBC Network.[15] In recent years,sixteenth season, she has served to be the creative director and choreographer for Dancing with the Stars Australia.[16]

Patronage

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Abbey is involved in fostering the arts community. She serves as the Patron of the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge,[17] and holds a position of Ambassador of Dancelife Unite and also The Australian Dance Festival.[18] She hosted Women 2000, a national conference commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first National Woman's Rights Convention, which produced the original play "Angels and Infidels".[19] Her dedication to honoring women's contributions is reflected in projects like the installation of portraits of Clara Barton, Abby Kelley Foster, Dorothea Dix, and Lucy Stone in Mechanics Hall.kml[20]

Abbey has been honored with the Green Room Award and Variety Heart awards[21] for her performance as the lead in Sweet Charity.[22] Her work as a performer and choreographer lead to her winning a Mo Award for playing the lead in Fame the Musical.[23] Her exceptional choreography in Fame lead her earning her another Green Room Award.[24]

Mo Awards

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The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. Kelley Abbey won two awards in that time.[25]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1997 Kelley Abbey Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year Won
1999 Kelley Abbey Female Dance Performer/ Choreographer of the Year Won

References

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  1. ^ Low, Lenny Ann (4 April 2003). "Hippie replacement". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  2. ^ "Abbey's Road to Fame". famenetwork.com. 10 October 1999. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  3. ^ "Search on for Boy from Oz". theage.com.au. 13 May 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  4. ^ Gill, Raymond (7 August 2007). "Echo stars at Helpmanns". theage.com.au. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Xanadu". Music Theatre International. 16 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Funny Girl" (PDF). Playbill.
  7. ^ "Miracle City - New Production at Sydney Opera House". Stage Briefs. Stage Whispers.
  8. ^ "Kelley Abbey". Opera Australia.
  9. ^ "Eleven Extraordinary Women Named as Inductees to the National Women's Hall of Fame" (PDF) (Press release). Seneca Falls, NY. 8 March 2011.
  10. ^ Merhi, Krisinda (14 March 2019). "Stage Legend Kelley Abbey Reveals Why She's Returned To Musicals After 20 Years". smooth. Archived from the original on 16 March 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  11. ^ Hasty, Lynn (2 May 2007). "Choreography Media Honors" (PDF). dancecamerawest.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  12. ^ "The Effects Story Behind Happy Feet". close-upfilm.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  13. ^ "Yours for Humanity: Abby Kelley Foster". 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum. 11 August 2022 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "Kelly Abbey – Choreographer". dance.ten.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  15. ^ "Superstars of Dance". nbc.com. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  16. ^ Lenton, Abbey (24 February 2020). "From 'The Slip Test' To Underwear Glue: DWTS Costume Designer Reveals Backstage Tricks". 10 Daily. Network Ten. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Patron – Kelley Abbey". bpacdance.org.au. 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  18. ^ "KELLEY ABBEY". DanceLife Unite. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Women 2000 - "Angels and Infidels" - An historical dramatization of the 1850 women's rights convention". Worcester Women's History Project. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Portraits Project set to transform Mechanics Hall with three portraits of Black Americans". Worcester Magazine. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Variety SA From the Heart Award Recipients".[failed verification]
  22. ^ Pinne, Peter (2010). "Fame – Remember My Name". stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  23. ^ "Winners – 25th Mo Awards 2000". moawards.com. 2000. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  24. ^ "Kelley Abbey – Director and Choreographer". famethemusical.com.au. 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  25. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
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