Kelley Abbey

Notes

Kelley Abbey is one of Australia's most versatile talents. As a leading lady in musicals like SWEET CHARITY & FAME - THE MUSICAL she has been both awarded and applauded by critics and audiences alike. For her role in SWEET CHARITY she won the Green Room, Variety Heart and Mo Awards for Best Musical Theatre Performer. In FAME - THE MUSICAL Kelley both starred and choreographed and won the Mo Award for Best Female Performer/Choreographer In A Musical and the Green Room award for Best Original Choreography. Kelley Abbey has over two decades of dancing and choreography experience and an abundance of television work to her credit. She first came to public notice for her role in Network Ten's E-Street from 1991 to 1993 as 'Jo-Jo' and has since charged ahead in theatre and choreography. Her other theatre credits include DANCIN' MAN and DYNAMITE! With David Atkins and the roles of Teresita and Anita in the Victoria State Opera's production of WEST SIDE STORY, and the role of Rizzo in the highly successful GREASE - THE ARENA SPECTACULAR for the return Melbourne and Sydney seasons. Kelley has also performed on several Television shows including; GMA, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, IMT, HEY HEY IT'S SATURDAY and MIDDAY. She sang in front of 98,000 people at the 1997 AFL Grand Final at the MCG and later at the opening of the Olympic stadium in Sydney. Kelley has also made a big impact as one of Australia's best choreographers for her work in film, television and stage. Her unique style is readily distinguishable in her choreographic work. She is particularly renowned for her work in music videos for HUMAN NATURE, TONI PEARON, CDB, LEAH HAYWOOD, SCANDAL-US, SOPHIE MONK and award winning international dance group GIRLFRIEND with whom she made her directorial debut for their HEARTBEAT video - nominated for Best Video at the 1993 Australian Music Awards. She also staged and choreographed HUMAN NATURE as the support act touring internationally for MICHEAL JACKSON, JANET JACKSON, and CELINE DION. In 1998, Kelley choreographed the Sydney Opera House production of FOLLIES. She has also been the regular choreographer for the ABC series ROY & HG. Also in 1998, Kelley was Assistant Choreographer to Ross Coleman and Assistant Director to British director David Gilmore, as well as performing the role of Rizzo on the highly successful GREASE - THE ARENA SPECTACULAR! In 1999 Kelley choreographed and was the staging director for the concert spectacle THE MAIN EVENT, working closely with JOHN FARNHAM, OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and ANTHONY WARLOW. 2000-2001 Kelley was appointed as choreographer and staging director to Pop Stars II - SCANDAL'US, the hugely successful Network 7/Screetime production resulting in a No. 1 record for the debut artists. Her long time association with the chart topping group HUMAN NATURE continued with Kelley choreographing a number of their new music videos and tours. Kelley also choreographed and stage directed their acclaimed Logies live performance where she also worked with international recording artist RICKI MARTIN. Kelley also refrained her position as staging director with THE MAIN EVENT for a number of special performances in major regional areas and choreographed the National Nine Network's summer promo. In 2002 Kelley refrained her choreography for FAME - THE MUSICAL and its successful ASIAN tour and later this year will reproduce the show in SOUTH AFRICA. She also choreographed FOOTLOOSE for GFO/SEL and has been nominated for a Helpmann award for her original choreography. Kelley is working with Kennedy/Miller on a new film project for worldwide release and developing her own musical film project, incorporating her outstanding talents as actor, dancer, singer and choreographer. Kelley is also working on the design of a range of dancewear under her own label - Kelley Abbey's Funky Swetz and available through her own website www.