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

Chase, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege of working on was with Britney Spears, spanning her Circus and Femme Fatale Tours, as well as her Las Vegas Residency. This journey, which lasted roughly eight years, was transformative for me both personally and professionally.

At a young age, I joined the Circus World Tour, where I was promoted to Dance and Show Captain alongside veteran dancer Tiana Gandelman. In this role, I was responsible for leading a team of 16 dancers and 16 circus performers, while also coordinating with the artist herself.
Over the years, I learned invaluable lessons about leadership in the entertainment industry. These experiences taught me the importance of consistency in live shows and the intricate balance required to uphold the integrity of a production while fostering a collaborative environment.

Working with such a diverse and talented team – from dancers and aerialists to martial artists, circus performers, band members, crew, and creatives – I gained a deep understanding of the teamwork required to execute a large-scale production. Every department must work together seamlessly, and as I moved forward in my career, this insight became fundamental to my approach as a director and producer.

As a result of my experience in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to choreograph for the Backstreet Boys Las Vegas Residency. From there, I moved on to co-direct and write my first Las Vegas Residency, Masters of Illusion, which featured some of the top mainstream magicians in the industry. Vegas truly shaped me, and I often say it “put some hair on my chest.” The challenges and opportunities I faced there were essential in honing my skills as a choreographer, director and producer.
Now, 15 years later, I reflect on how those early years set me up to be a better communicator and collaborator. As a director, it’s crucial to understand and listen to each department’s needs to pull a show together effectively. The lessons I learned during my time with Britney Spears are integral to how I approach live shows and entertainment today.
Those years were filled with both challenges and incredible learning moments, and I truly owe much of my career to the experiences I had during that time.

Chase, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a resident of Los Angeles, but a proud native of Nashville. As a stage director, performance producer, choreographer, and teacher, I’ve had the privilege of staging music videos, televised award show performances, and concert tours for some of today’s top-selling recording artists. My work spans multiple genres, including pop, country, hip-hop, and more, creating memorable live performances that resonate with audiences around the world.

Choreography Credits: I’ve supervised electropop and dance-pop numbers for Britney Spears’ Piece of Me Las Vegas Residency, and choreographed for her Circus and Femme Fatale World Tours. Other notable projects include the Backstreet Boys’ Larger Than Life Las Vegas residency, J Balvin’s Energia and La Familia tours, Sebastian Yatra’s Dharma Tour, Florida Georgia Line’s Smooth Tour, Rihanna’s Last Girl on Earth Tour, and The So You Think You Can Dance Tour. I’ve also had the honor of choreographing for The Apple Music Festival.

In addition to touring, I’ve choreographed dance numbers for televised award performances, including the MTV Movie Awards, iHeart Music Awards, CMT Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and others. My choreography has appeared on Saturday Night Live, Monarch (Fox’s network series starring Susan Sarandon), and Quantum Leap (NBC’s series). Currently, I have three shows on board Norwegian Cruise Lines, traveling across the globe.

Dancing Career: Before transitioning to choreography, I toured as a dancer with Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, and Donna Summer. I’ve also appeared in films such as Stomp the Yard, Hannah Montana: The Movie, and Step Up 2: The Streets.

Teaching and Production Work: As the Hip Hop Teacher for the esteemed dance convention LA Dance Magic, I continue to inspire and teach the next generation of dancers. In addition, I am the Creative Director, Producer, and Choreographer for Asher Entertainment, an entertainment company that specializes in producing live events, from movie premieres to live scripted shows. This past year, we had the opportunity to help create the premieres for Wicked and Gladiator 2.

I continue to create original stage shows from start to finish for music artist tours, theater shows, cruise line productions, and everything in between. If you have a concept, I can help bring it to life.

Balancing Career and Family: While I am proud of my work and accomplishments, I am most proud to be able to do what I love while maintaining a family. Working in this industry can be a rocky rollercoaster, but somehow, I’ve managed to find a balance. I’m lucky to have a partner who loves and respects what I do, and together we’ve built a strong foundation, ensuring that we both succeed in our personal and professional lives. We also make sure our kids are involved in a social life while staying committed to their education.

I believe the importance of putting family first is often overlooked in the industry, but for me, the happiness of my family comes before anything else. When I began to prioritize that, everything seemed to click. My wife and kids fuel my creativity and help keep my dreams alive. I make it a priority to be intentional with my time at home and cherish the moments spent with them.

In Conclusion: Through it all, I’ve learned that true success isn’t just about the projects I’ve worked on or the accolades I’ve received, but about finding balance and joy in both my professional and personal life. I’m grateful for the support of my family, and I look forward to continuing to create meaningful, inspiring work for years to come.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of this job is witnessing the growth of those I work with and train. Whether it’s a student at LA DANCE MAGIC or a professional singer stepping out of their comfort zone for opening night, it’s fulfilling to support them through their journey. I can relate to their struggles and focus, having experienced the same challenges myself as a performer and dancer. Seeing artists overcome those roadblocks is inspiring—it reminds me of my own growth and keeps me motivated to be better, while listening to their needs.

I find joy in helping people reach their goals, particularly in performance and dance. I don’t know exactly where this journey will take them, but I know that, in that moment, it’s meaningful. At 37, I’ve found my path, and dance, performance, and live entertainment have truly saved my life. I feel fortunate to help others discover their own path.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

As opposed to a typical 9-to-5 job, being a creative means you’re always “on.” You have to constantly create and refine your skills. What non-creatives may not understand is that this career is all about reinventing yourself every day.

My journey didn’t follow a clear, step-by-step path. The key was showing up, creating, staying consistent, and working relentlessly. As a creative, you wear many hats—you’re a salesperson, a public speaker, a creator, a director, a producer, and a leader all at once. If you’re not prepared to take on all of those roles, this might not be the right career for you. The creative journey isn’t about climbing a ladder with defined steps. It’s a constant grind of creation, 24/7.

I also often explain to people that behind the TV shows, live performances, events, and concerts they see, there are people responsible for the movement, production, ideas, rehearsals, and more—that’s where I come in. My job is to refine those ideas and ensure everything goes smoothly on opening night. Talent doesn’t just show up, perform, and put on a show; there’s extensive planning, training, and rehearsals that make it all happen.

It’s crucial to keep roles like directing, choreographing, and producing alive because they guide all types of productions, big and small.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chasebenz.com
• Instagram: @chasebenz_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-benz-75152b8a/

Image Credits

Amy Waters