Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Josette.
Monica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
First off I’m Houston born and bred! Primarily in the 3rd Ward and Montrose Areas. I come from a family full of artistry but I began taking dance classes at the young age of three after a broken leg at one! My grandmother suggested to my mother that I take dance to strengthen my leg and the rest, well is history! I attended Bowie Studios run by Sallie Bowie Daniels in third ward. She was a very well respected teacher in the community and was among the first African-Americans to attend The Julliard School. She was a huge influence on my training and introduction to classical dance as well as tap dance. I couldn’t get enough! I danced and sang at church and at every studio my mother would allow. I attended “Houston Ballet”, “Discovery Dance”, and my favorite, “Texas Tap Ensemble”, directed by Paula Sloan. I graduated from The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and went on to graduate from The University of Oklahoma with a BFA in Modern Dance Pedagogy. That’s just fancy words that mean I trained to teach my art form! My very first professional show was “Singing in The Rain” at Theater Under The Stars here in Houston!
It’s cliche but I seriously went to New York with a hope and a dream. I worked at the flagship Capezio store fitting dancers. I earned my Actors Equity Association Status at Westchester Broadway Theater doing “Aida” and “Hot Mikado” and am still so grateful for those opportunities so early in my career. I did vocal studio work in midtown and simultaneously was working as a dance teacher at a charter school. I had so many projects but one in particular led me to an artist by the name of Santigold. A producer from an Off Broadway show I was cast in thought that I would be a good fit for her newly developing stage show. I met her, we hit it off and I’ve been performing and co-choreographing with her for ten years!
I have always had many aspirations. I’m a creative at heart and I wrote and directed my first cabaret musical in Atlanta, GA called “The Lipstick Junkies feat. Black Caviar and The Ray of Sunshine!” It was a labor of love and had a nicely sized cult following in the city. I am definitely looking forward to revamping it and producing it here in Houston and beyond!
I found myself in Los Angeles for a few years and completely switched gears to film production. I wanted to further investigate my love of directing and translating work into the television/film medium. I had the rare but awesome opportunity to work alongside some well seasoned producers, directors, cinematographers, and actors. I actually ended up Assistant Directing several short films and got to direct my first music video! I moved back home to Houston after the birth of my son because I wanted him surrounded by more of a village than we could offer him in L.A. Since I’ve been home I love it! Houston has grown so much and there are so many possibilities here.
I was just recently cast in the production of “Aint Misbehavin” at Surflight Theater in New Jersey and I’m so excited to be back home but also to be back in the theater again. Im super amped and ready to offer my knowledge, training, artistry, and unique perspective to the city that helped make me who I am! This November 2019 I’m elated to be teaching an All levels Beyonce inspired dance class at The Hines Center downtown! It’s always a joy to work with other artists but it is something very special to be able to just let go and not worry about all the technical stuff! So now here we are!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are always challenges. I’ve had some major disappointments in my career. I was cast in an Off Broadway show and the entire cast announcement went to press. Loads of people were congratulating me and literally three days before rehearsals they changed the choreographer and she wanted everyone fired to bring in her own people. It was awful. Another time I was to be cast in a major film in an introducing role, which is huge, and on my way to the airport I got a phone call from the producers that they decided to go with a large name last minute. Talk about let down!! My first attempt at producing my own show was a total train wreck but I learned so much valuable information about production and it served me so well after that. I could go on and on with crazy stories of struggle in every facet of my business, but I love what I do from performing to teaching to writing and directing so as long as you learn how to fail forward, you’re always better for it.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Currently alongside being cast in various opportunities, I am teaching dance, performance coaching, and producing/directing my own works. Graduating me from individual to a full production house is the current goal. Where dance teaching is concerned, a lot of my students are competition dancers, and I come from the classical world so I aim to bring more artistic approaches to their performances and technique. In my original works category I am looking to begin workshopping my cabaret musical very soon in Houston.
I’m most proud that my personal brand “Monica Josette” is resilient, well rounded, respected, and ever-evolving.
I think what sets me apart is me. You won’t ever experience a class or workshop quite like mine, and my artistry extends itself in so many facets. I believe I have so much to offer amateurs and professionals alike.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
We all know even with all the best training, this business is all about who you know and more importantly, who knows you! Timing is everything. I’m not sure that I believe in luck, more like alignment. I have definitely had several experiences with God literally having me in the right place at the right time. However, you still have to be ready for those positions or you lose those too, you get what I’m saying.
Pricing:
- “Be You, BE-Yonce!” All Level Dance Class at The Hines Center Nov. 7th and 14th ,2019 $15 for non members
Contact Info:
- Email: monicajosette@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dancemomtutu
- Facebook: Monica Josette
- Twitter: Monica Josette
Image Credit:
Headshot by Andrew Jackson Murphy Photography, Two Action Shots by Blotto Photography, Red Dress photo by Ben Brown Foto
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