Seth Collier burst onto the international dance film scene in 2022, winning the Inspired Dance Film Festival at just 17 years old. His runner-up? None other than Emmy Award-winning choreographer Derek Hough. Now, Collier is ready to take the professional acting industry by storm – starting with his move from Australia to Los Angeles this July.
Collier Vs. Dance soul About his dance journey, how he turned a school project into a best-winner at IDFF, his future goals and more.
Dance soul: Please tell us a little bit about your dance training.
SC: I grew up on a farm and my parents knew nothing about dance. They had me play rugby for six years, but when I saw my sister taking dance classes at a nearby school called Just Dance, I immediately said I wanted to join. When I was 12, I started dancing at a private school called West Moreton Anglican College. It has a good dance program and we compete with other schools. When I was in 10th grade, I went to Dynamite Studios to train one day a week [one of Australia’s premier dance studios] On the Gold Coast. After my first year, I joined the school full-time. It’s similar to a dance program at an American university where you dance every day and gain qualifications. There I focused on commercial and musical theater dance, completing full-time training in them in 2022.
DS: What is the Inspiration Dance Film Festival?
SC: This is a [Australia-based] The film dance competition is hosted by Adam Garcia, a former judge of the Australian version of “Dancing with the Stars”. People from all over the world submitted their dance films, with a handful selected to be screened in Brisbane. The winner is announced at the showcase.
DS: Please tell us a little bit about your journey to winning IDFF.
SC: When I was 16, I choreographed, filmed, edited and danced river, As part of a school dance assignment. I didn’t have a crew or any real help shooting it. I was happy about it, but I never imagined what would happen. In 2022, my dance teacher Kate Wormald served as an ambassador for the Inspired Dance Film Festival and posted information about the competition. I submitted river, didn’t know I’d be competing against a professional like Derek Hough. I didn’t expect to win. Surprisingly, I was selected for the showcase and won the Best of Festival award. I was completely shocked.
DS: What other choreographic work have you done?
I have choreographed and danced in ABC films including a children’s film when I was 17 Viv’s Silly Mango. I auditioned for the role of Brad in the movie, and when they offered me the role, they asked if I could also choreograph and dance in the show. On top of that, I did a lot of live shows and when I was 18, I made a music video for Alexa Curtis.
DS: What was the turning point in your training when you realized you could make dance your career?
SC: I’ve never had a professional mentality about dancing—it’s just something I enjoy doing. But during the year I was training full-time at Dynamite, I was selected for some solo moments and a leading role in dance, and any doubt in my mind about my ability to pursue this as a career was gone. The defining moment was when I signed with my agency McDonald/Selznick [MSA] Colleagues, October 2023.
DS: What challenges have you faced as a dancer?
SC: I sometimes feel like I’m not good enough, but the main challenge in my dance training came from living on a farm in the jungle. It takes me an hour and a half to get to my dance class at Dynamite every day. My parents knew nothing about show business, so I had to figure it out on my own, which was really hard.
DS: What is your dream for the future?
SC: I have a lot of plans and dreams. My current career plan is to move to Los Angeles this July and start working at MSA. I have landed a job at Gravity Space LA in Hollywood where I will be a Dynamite rep teacher and choreographer. Long term, I would love to work in the business world and become a backup dancer for artists.
