About the choreographer
Heather (Rabun) Abbott, an award-winning choreographer, grew up in Austin, Texas, where she choreographed her first piece at the age of 8, starring herself and her younger sister, to be performed in the living room of their childhood home. Today, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX, and choreographs professionally for a variety of settings. Her experience includes live concert dance performances, musical theater, live event entertainment, debutante balls, "Dancing with the Stars" ballroom competitions, audition movement, wedding dances and most recently and passionately for the camera. Heather's choreography in "Allegro Scratch", a short film produced by Cindy Quijada, earned it titles of "Best Dance Short Film" at Riurau Film Festival 2017 and "Gold Winner in Choreography" in the International Independent Film Awards 2017. In April of 2019, she screened “Allegro Scratch” as well as her two latest dance films (created through Studio School’s Advanced Choreography Intensive) “splat!” and “To Build A Home…” for nearly 100 guests at Santa Monica’s historic Barker Hangar.
Her artistic eye and easy way of translating vision, as well as her understanding of creating balanced and clear works, makes her not only an excellent choreographer, but also a wonderful person to work with. A true artist, always exploring the many facets of beauty - dance, visual art, design, & film along with the inspiration found in music - Heather, aka "Dancin Heather", is most known for dancing-while-painting. She has danced professionally for companies including L.A. Choreographers & Dancers and Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet, as well as for various productions, performing throughout the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York City, London and Japan. While living in California, she co-founded and directed arts non-profit Beautify Earth in 2014 through 2018, under which she produced over 50 public murals, the Every Woman Program (#BEeverywomanLA), the Beautify Pico Mural Tour and B.E. Dance LA (#beautifyearthdance), all between gigs. This speaks to her passion for creating opportunities for artists to shine, and her love for the inspiration found through collaboration. Heather has traveled to over 18 countries around the world, currently resides in Richmond, VA, and is available to travel for creative commissions.
…and why “dancin heather”?
…Why not? Featured here free-styling on Ethan Sak’s new music video Make My Heart Go & on her dancer reel!
“Heather not only choreographed a dance piece performance for the Short Film Allegro Scratch, but she was truly an inspiration to create this piece of art. I love working with her and I recommend her as she is not only committed and professional but she is a light to every project.”
“Heather is not only a talented and beautiful dancer, but an excellent choreographer. I needed a short piece for my skills reel to add to my acting profiles, but hadn’t danced in quite a long time. Heather ensured that the choreo would be something I could handle while still being graceful, gorgeous, and perfectly suited to the song I chose, as well as the dance styles I had asked her to focus on. We weren’t able to get together to rehearse the chore in person due to our busy schedules, so Heather sent me a video that I could use to learn it on my own time. She sent the video so quickly and I was able to upload my skills reel in a matter of days per my agent’s request. I can’t recommend Heather enough!”
“I hired Heather to choreograph several dance numbers for our various Satin Glove Entertainment productions, from modern and ballet dances customized for weddings, to partnering, to showgirl and Broadway style numbers...and the list goes on! She also incorporated dancers into a musical act with me ad my violinist in a beautiful way. Her choreography was easy for everyone to pick up quickly and captured the audience’s hearts every time. I’m very happy with her work!”
“I have worked with Heather on projects because of her expertise in movement and music and I have participated in her classes. She is patient and thorough when explaining the choreography, and works with dancers and performers to help us achieve the best execution and aesthetic. Her disposition and attitude are always positive and upbeat, which is always an asset at a shoot or on set.”
