“As a dancer, we’re giving expiration dates of 28 years old, maybe a little bit longer. but when I was coming up, people were phasing out around 28, 29, and here I am 54 and I’m still in it and in it pretty strong. I still have projects going.“
Latasha M. Ford had the absolute, great pleasure of speaking with the incredibly talented 5x Emmy-nominated choreographer, Jamal Sims, for Awards Buzz.
In our heartfelt conversation, Jamal delved into his extensive experience working on some truly groundbreaking productions: “The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl,” “Beauty in the Beast,” “Encanto,” and many, many more. Jamal He was transparent in sharing valuable insights on the importance of maintaining a great diet and ensuring day-of preparedness, both of which are crucial for success in the demanding world of choreography. Additionally, Jamal offered some key advice for aspiring choreographers, providing a wealth of wisdom for those looking to follow in his footsteps.
You can check out our full conversation below. It’s quite engaging and inspiring!
Jamal Sims Interview Synopsis:
The five-time Emmy Award nominee and acclaimed choreographer went into depth discussing his recent nominations and career achievements, offering some really interesting advice for the younger choreographers looking to blaze similar trails as him. In addition to “The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl” … Sims also received previous nominations for “Grease” and “Beauty and the Beast” (live TV musical), and contributed to the live-action “Aladdin” film amongst many more. Jamal candidly shared with Latasha his professional approach in prioritizing longevity over transitions, as he does not believe creativity diminishes with age. Sims shares that he focuses on making iconic works like “The Lion King” relevant for today’s audience, rather than being overwhelmed by their legacy; emphasizing the importance of staying driven, often reminding himself that “that person from Texas is getting off the bus and ready to take your spot.”
Jamal and Latasha share such an intimate moment during the interview where Jamal admits to struggling with celebrating his achievements and how he tends to be overly humble. Latasha learns that Sims has a very team-focused mindset and wants to ensure his success recognizes his associate choreographers and collaborators. C’mon now — who wouldn’t want to work alongside such a human. As the what seems to be ‘best friend-type’ of conversation nears a close Jamal goes further on to share his day-of preparation includes prayer, good music (Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson), a gym workout, and ensuring everyone has a good time. He highlights the importance of nutrition for quick thinking, memory, and physical performance. Thereafter closing out the interview with his key advice to aspiring choreographers which is for them to “trust” themselves, maintain hunger, and remain vigilant.
The interview paints a picture of Jamal as a thoughtful artist who has achieved success by staying true to his craft and learning to appreciate his accomplishments more.
About “The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl”
“The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl,” was an immersive live-to-film concert event which celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Disney’s animated “The Lion King.”
The concert featured the original 1994 film which played on the Hollywood Bowl big screens, accompanied by a live orchestra, fireworks, and incredible vocal performances of the film’s award-winning songs. The live-event featured special celebrity guests, which included cast members from both the 1994 animated and 2019 films such as Billy Eichner, Bradley Gibson, Ernie Sabella, Heather Headley, Jason Weaver, Jeremy Irons, Lebo M., and Nathan Lane. Special guests North West and Jennifer Hudson appeared and performed for the first time ever at the Hollywood Bowl.
The Hollywood Bowl transformed into the Pride Lands for this event, offering an unprecedented musical extravaganza. The Disney+ special included epic performances with a 70-person orchestra, skillful dancers, state-of-the-art projection mapping images, and the Broadway show’s award-winning costumes and puppetry. This celebration honored 30-years of this Oscar and Tony Award-winning global phenomenon that has been brought to life through animation, the Broadway stage, live action, and beyond.
“The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl” is produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide, and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva. This is the same incredible team that produced the four-time Emmy-nominated “Disney’s Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl” and the Emmy Award-winning “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.” Gabe Turner and Sally Wood are the creative showrunners, Paul Dugdale serves as director, and Misty Buckley is the production designer.
Official Trailer:
