We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brooke Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brooke , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful projects I’ve created were during the 2020 pandemic. Being in solitude really force me to focus on my identity as an artist, rethink my likes and dislikes in my work and topics I should touch base on. I really love “My Skin My Logo” which is performed by Solange’s song off the When I Get Home Album. It was me playing with the movement and how I felt “in my skin.”

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I go by Brooke Michaela and I have been a dancer and choreographer for 12 years. After leaving a dance company, I wanted to focus on my own identity in the dance world. I was still in college, broke and didn’t really have much direction. I decide to tape myself dancing and put it on Youtube. I would shop around my videos and it landed me a gig as an act for Mc Lyte’s Stop The Violence Concert. From there, I was featured on MTV, in 2014 and 2016, for Ariana Grande and DNCE dance contest and same year, I had a dance role in the Michel’le Biopic on Lifetime Channel. In 2022, I was a dance act on the Kelly and Ryan Live! I have also choreographed for hip-hop dance competitions and taught dance fitness as well. I know that my hardwork, sacrifice and always thinking of ways to better myself as an artist is what sets me apart. Some follow rules, others ignore them. I wasn’t going to wait around for others to see my “potential.” Instead of asking for a seat at the table, I built my own. As a dancer, I was told because I was short, didn’t have the “best” technique and had curves that I would never get booked. We know that’s false and also from this, people have reached out to me regarding their issues in the dance industry. I am most proud of the dancers that I never met that reach out to me and tell me I am an inspiration. I was recently contacted by the mother of a 7 year old because she wrote that I was her inspiration for a school project and I was shocked. I want everyone to know I take my art seriously and to always protect your space and your art. Never allow anyone to tell you you’re not good enough. Everyone is gifted in something and every has a purpose. Your purpose is the missing piece of a puzzle that is needed to complete the puzzle.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Some may not like this, but I had to learn not everyone’s advice has good intentions. Sometimes that advice comes from people you look up to or hope to receive guidance on your career from. I was told by dance teachers that I wouldn’t make it as a dance due to my height and “having hips.” People are breaking down barriers everyday and nothing is meant to stay the same.  I do hope in the future that there is more body positivity in the dance world.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I feel growing up, non-creatives didn’t understand that so much time and money is dedicated in perfecting your craft and alot of times you’re paying your dues. I look back when I was in college full time while dancing in a dance company and it truly was “NO DAYS OFF.” I would have a performance and dance class on the same day and my friends didn’t understand why I couldn’t skip class to go to that college party. That time really taught me discipline and know how to set boundaries.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/who_is_brooke
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/brooke.michaela
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeMichaela1

Image Credits
Photographer: Natalie Washington (from the 4-8 pictures) @platformfoto MUA: Kiara Gray (_makeupnheels_) 1st Picture: Dwayne Donlow (@dopedonny)