| Kelley Abbey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 July 1966 Inala, Queensland |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Corinda State High School |
| Occupation | Dancer, choreographer, actress, theatre director |
| Known for | Penguin choreography on Happy Feet |
| Television | E Street So You Think You Can Dance |
| Parents | Eric and Jill Abbey |
| Awards | Green Room Award (twice) Mo Award (twice) Choreography Media Honours |
| Website | |
| www.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.
Abbey won the Green Room Award, Mo Award[1] and Variety Heart awards for her performance as the lead in Sweet Charity.[2] She also won a Mo Award for playing the lead in Fame the Musical which she also choreographed.[3] She won the Green Room Award for her choreography in Fame and later restaged this show in Asia and South Africa.[4]
Abbey played Sheila in the 2003 Australian cast of Hair[5] and Rizzo in an arena production of Grease, and later choreographed an arena stadium tour of Grease – the Arena Spectacular.[6] 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[7] for which she won a Helpmann Award along with Kenny Ortega.[8]
Abbey was honoured at the Choreography Media Honours in Los Angeles for her choreography in the Oscar-winning feature Happy Feet.[9] She was also head motion capture consultant on the film, ran "penguin school" and was the principal motion capture performer.[10]
Abbey has also choreographed many music videos, pop concert tours, television commercials and awards specials. She appeared in the film In Her Skin starring Guy Pearce and Sam Neil which she choreographed and also plays a small role.[11]
Abbey appears as a special guest judge and choreographer on the hit TV show So You Think You Can Dance[12] and 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.[13]
Abbey is the Patron of the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge.[14]