We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John Keen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.

Hi John, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I always knew as a child there was something different about me. I danced for local dance studios, churches, participated in after school dance classes, musical theater productions, and whatever I could get my hands on. I knew this was what I was suppose to do for the rest of my life. I started traveling and danced throughout the US. However there was something missing that I couldn’t put my finger on but that was until I moved to New York. I had tunnel vision from very beginning when I was there. It was the best decision I could’ve made.

To be able to share my wisdom and life experiences and to create my choreographic visions on beautiful bodies blew my mind. I thought being on stage as a dancer was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life but that wasn’t my calling. Sharing my gift with other dancers was my calling.

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

I was working for a dance studio in New York and the director of the studio ask me to put a group of dancers together and have them perform for their annual concert. The process of putting this group together was so hard for me because I was stepping out on limb and exposing myself as a choreographer. It was one of the scariest moments in my life but doing it made my introverted self come alive and knew at that moment that this was my calling. After that performance, I had a conversation with my partner and I told him I think I want to start my own company. August 27, 2009 I had my first audition at Ripley-Grier Studios in Manhattan. Twenty-five dancers auditioned that day and I took 16. After having a pretty successful grassroots dance company in New York for 5yrs I decided to move back to my hometown Louisville, KY. Life in NY was starting to Life. It was becoming super clear that some changes were happening in my life. I was not happy about having to let my New York company go. However I wasn’t born yesterday and plan had been put into play. In 2014 before I moved away from New York I traveled back to Louisville to collaborate with another dancer that lived in Louisville by having a dance intensive for dancers in the community. This was my chance to scout out the talent. When I returned back to New York I got right to work. After we left NY and made it to Louisville, it took a couple of months to find my way again. I hadn’t lived in Louisville for almost 15 yrs. Once that happened I held an audition at the Shawnee Cultural Center and before you know it Keen Dance Theatre was formed in Louisville Kentucky.

Even though it was completely different from the New York Arts Scene I was determined to make this work. I quickly figured out in Louisville for some dancers, dance was just a hobby and their 9 to 5 jobs was their main priority and in New York, your art is the main priority and your 9-5 was the hobby. From 2014-2016 KDT was running very well. I even opened up a small dance studio in the Heyburn building in downtown Louisville. That didn’t last long, it was not my time to have my own space. So I had to closed that studio. From there things started to look dim and I couldn’t get the same footing I had in New York. So I took a hiatus for awhile. I was not well at all. I could not breathe, I needed to step in a studio and dance. One of my company members opened up a dance studio and had me teach a dance class, one of the dancers and I became close friends. Come to find out they had been following my journey since New York so In 2020 that friend said “John you need to start KDT again!” My first thought was “Absolutely Not!” but My parents were gone from this world for I desperately needed some to go on and I thought about what my Dad and Mom would say to me and I knew it was time for Keen Dance Theatre to make its debut again.

Keen Dance Theatre was back like they never left. July 31st 2021 I produced “Pieces” at the Art Sanctuary. This concert was about pieces of my life that I hold dear. Since I’ve started this company I’ve always wanted my audience to know that Keen Dance Theatre is more than just movement, it is storytelling. All my works are from personal experience. I could not choreograph these works until you learned how to expose my soul artistically to the world. Anyone can choreograph a dance but everyone can’t choreograph from their mind, body, and soul. Keen Dance Theatre has grown like wild fire since 2021 we are now on our 4th season. I have added a 2nd company to the Keen Dance Theatre Dynasty. KDT and KDT2, KDT2 is a training company and is set up of High School and Middle school kids that aspire to be dancers.

Keen Dance Theatre has made it known that we are here in Louisville by doing community masterclasses and outreach in the community as well as presented our annual end of the season concert. I have worried at times because Louisville isn’t a huge performing arts city that we will be stagnant. I continuously push the company out to different audiences. My goal is before I leave this world is to have a weeks of sold out nights. We have come close but not close enough.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best way to support artist and creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem would be to continue to expose yourself, family and friends to what artist and creatives present to you in your cities and surrounding areas. Make sure you spread the word about what’s happening and how you can keep those organizations thriving. As an artistic director of a dance company I don’t want to see any artistic artform die. Every generation of artists needs to carry on the legacy but we can’t do that without your support. So we must continue to support our local dance companies, local theaters, musicians, visual artists, etc.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal for Keen Dance Theatre is not only for it to be a dance company but for it to be an dance institution for dancers in Louisville. There are many places in the world for dancers to study. I would like Louisville Kentucky to be one of those places.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keendancetheatre/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keendancetheatre

Image Credits

Photo Credit: Michelle Snow