John Nelson

One of my greatest passions in life is to create. Something I've learned through my experience as a working artist for over 25 years, is there are an infinite number of ways to create. Most people know me for my work as a dancer/choreographer/teacher/performer, but I've worn many hats behind the scenes on number of jobs I've done throughout my career.

My first passion in life was art. I was raised by a family of musicians and fine artists. I dropped out of art school with a major in mass communication/computer animation to pursue a risky dance career. My hobby of dance had became my profession. I performed on TV, Movies, Super Bowl Commercials, Concert Tours, Broadway, and finally landed the dream job of working for Cirque Du Soleil and Michael Jackson. Along the way my art background came in handy many times...from designing masks for my first Off-Broadway production, to being the head costume/scenic/prop designer for iLuminate's successful AGT run, to tours, and off broadway shows. Now at Cirque Du Soleil, I've had many opportunities to use my artistic background to create acts, costumes, scenic elements, and visuals for the biggest stages in the world.

I'm currently on an internship with the Props Department at Michael Jackson ONE, learning how to use my artistic eye and talents in many different ways. Its my dream to come full circle back to my original passion of art as I retire from stage as a performer and continue working as an artist behind the scenes, still part of the big show, just in a different way!

Here is a glimpse of some of my creations over the years, Whether its collaborative, for stage, television, a gallery, or a personal passion project, it all satisfies the same drive to CREATE.