Emmy-Nominated Choreographer Heather Laura Gray Reveals Her Ultimate Entertainment Career Goals

One of the best choreographers in the business!

If you’ve been watching some of the most popular TV shows and movies, like ‘Riverdale’ and ‘The J Team’, then you have seen Heather Laura Gray’s brilliant work. And she’s got the Emmy nominations to prove it.

We had the amazing honor of speaking with Heather about working with kids, a message to her younger self, and more!

When did you first realize you wanted to pivot more to choreography than your personal dance career?

H: “After dancing, acting and singing in film and tv along with live stage shows, I came to realize that I wanted to dive deeper into the art of composition and design for movement; how to develop an experience for an audience without a script or a road map….I was choreographing and experimenting along the way by producing my own work, but I realized the only way to level up at that time was to learn from dancing in other choreographers’ processes. After a good 8 years of dancing with a very high level of athleticism in concert dance, my body was starting to break down but that helped me recognize my relationship to dance wasn’t over. I could put everything I experienced with acting, singing, commercial and concert dance into honing the design strategies for on-camera choreography.”

Congratulations on your new Emmy noms! What was your initial reaction to finding out about the nominations?

H: “Thank you! I was so excited, honored and blown away. It is a huge feat and reward in itself to be in the position to do the work, but when you also get recognized by an awards standard like the Emmy’s with other very talented choreographers, it is a serious honor.”

Is there a major difference between working with kids and adults?

H: “It’s funny because most of my work has been with adults who come with all different relationships to dance and it’s oftentimes connected to fear, which I completely understand. But in the times I’ve worked with kids, they bring such a level of optimism and willingness to figure it out whether they have barely danced or are a triple threat. Regardless, my job after having the design of the choreography approved by the director, is to support, teach and practice with each actor and dancer so they feel confident and safe to let loose when performing the choreography in front of the camera.”

You are known for nailing choreography for movies and TV shows. Do you want to expand to more avenues like Broadway, music videos, or live performances?

H: “I gravitate towards dance and storytelling through a camera lens, but of course, getting to choreograph for Broadway or a major music artist would be an experience and challenge I would love to take on. With Riverdale, we did 5 Broadway musicals and one original “Archie: The Musical” that were adapted to the storylines of the series. It was incredible to work with those specific Broadway musicals (Carrie, Heather’s, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, Next to Normal, American Psycho) as source material to tailor for the camera into the style and feel of Riverdale.”

What is your best tip for our readers who want to pursue a career as a choreographer?

H: “I would say with either live or film and TV, keep creating and trying things to develop your instincts for why you are making the choices you’re making. Each medium requires a different approach just like how a writer would approach a play versus how a writer who would approach a script for film and TV.”

Is there anything you would have said to 10-year-old Heather Laura Gray?

H: “Your soon to be obsession with dance will be worth it on so many levels!”

You have so many incredible achievements! What are your biggest goals for your career
going forward?

H: “Thank you so much. I’d like to transition into directing film and television.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

H: “You can find me at www.heatherlauragray.com with links to Instagram, Threads, Facebook &
LinkedIn.”

Photo Credit: Richie Lubaton Studio

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.