Patron - Kelley Abbey
Since the inception of the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge, Kelley Abbey has been its patron. Known for her support of young talent in Australia, Kelley Abbey's presence at BPAC each year inspires, excites and challenges our participants to be the best they can be and remember the joy in performing. We are very proud that she is our patron!
Kelley's 2013 message to all BPAC participants:
Hey Guys,
Welcome to the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge 2013!! This year is your chance to perform with less fear and more joy, as you hit the stage in your fabulous costume feeling the groove of a catchy song surrounded by your wonderful dance friends and community!
How blessed we are to have this event sponsored and supported. We are incredibly grateful. Make it your mission this year to let someone else know how talented they are. Noticing someone else's talent can inspire us to be better. Best of luck, and don't forget to feel the beat!
Love
Kelley Abbey
Kelley has been a leading performer and choreographer in TV, Film and Musical Theatre for the last 25 years.
Kelley won the Green Room, Mo and Variety Heart awards for her performance as the lead in “Sweet Charity”. She also won the Mo award for playing the lead in “Fame the Musical” which she also choreographed. In 2000 she won the Green Room award for her choreography in “Fame” and later restaged this show in Asia and South Africa. Then in 2010, she won the Helpmann award for a brand new version of “Fame” which she directed and choreographed.
She has also played “Rizzo” in an arena production of “Grease” and later choreographed the stadium tour of “Grease the Arena Spectacular”. Other musicals Kelley has choreographed include “Follies” at the Opera House, “Footloose” and “Hugh Jackman's Boy From Oz in the Arena” which she won a Helpmann Award along with Kenny Ortega.
She was honoured at the “Choreography Media Honours” in Los Angeles for her choreography in the Oscar winning feature “Happy Feet”. She was also head motion capture consultant on the film, ran penguin school and was the principal motion capture performer.
Kelley has also choreographed many music videos, pop concert tours, television commercials and awards specials. Just last year she was involved in choreographing the feature film “In Her Skin” starring Guy Pearce and Sam Neil in which she also played a small role. Kelley was a special guest judge and choreographer on the hit TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” Australia series 1,2 and 3, and has also been a special invited guest choreographer on the same American series.
