My name is Cheryl Mann and I am a Dancer•Photographer•Daughter•Sister•Wife•Mother. I like to work with people. The people I photograph are usually artists by trade, multi-talented, and freelance based. These are trying times for us folk, but as I see it, we are the people who are used to making something out of nothing. We are the people who seek to create beautiful things for others to absorb, ponder, and enjoy. I was a dancer for many years until that chapter closed challenging me to reinvent myself and begin again. Photography was a clear choice as I had already begun building a clientele towards the end of my dance career. I am so grateful for it all.
Guiness Book of World Records as the tallest ballet dancer in the world at 6’7” Fabrice Calmels – Photo by Cheryl Mann Productions
Two weeks ago, life as we knew it came to a halt. I have a 6 and an 8 year old who are now home and seeking stimulation that matches what they were used to in school and their after school program. So much socializing, art, academics, playgrounds, after school activities shut down over night. Our current challenge is regulating “screen time” vs. the rest of the options they have in this house.
So, we made a deal. A day of no screens and a photoshoot session learning about the decades in the 1900’s. And in one day, we did it. Next thing we knew, it was 5pm! I was exhausted no doubt, but in retrospect, we spent time together, learned about times past, negotiated a bit, and created something that they can keep forever. Stay-At-Home and create something. I think we will all learn much about ourselves…and just maybe, this will be a time of growth. Time to reinvent.
“Stuck inside with your 2 favorite muses? Looks like it’s time for a new project.” was written by Cheryl Mann for LA Dance Chronicle, March 30, 2020.
Cheryl Mann – Photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography
Cheryl Mann began her professional career at the age of 17, dancing at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, and received her dance degree from Point Park College, in Pittsburgh, PA. She performed with the Civic Light Opera in South Pacific as “Liat” under the direction of Robby Marshall in Pittsburgh. Upon moving to Chicago, she danced with River North Dance Chicago before joining Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in May of 1997 where she remained for over a decade. Cheryl served as the Artistic Associate of Visceral Dance Chicago until she moved to LA to work with Ate9 under the directorship of Danielle Agami.
She is the owner of Cheryl Mann Productions, where she has traveled the world setting dance works for world renown choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, Toru Shimazaki, Alejandro Cerrudo, & Danny Ezralow. She is also the official photographer for The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, and has shot for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, Ballet Hispanico, Chicago Dancing Festival, LA Dance Festival, Visceral Dance Chicago, Ate9, Barak Ballet, amongst many more.
LA credits include NBCUniversal’s Little Big Shots featuring Steve Harvey, Associate Choreographer of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Live at the Hollywood Bowl, and Axis Connect led by the Barton Sisters. She also had the pleasure of casting and choreographing Moby’s latest music video “Motherless Child”.
To visit Cheryl Mann Productions, click here.
**If you are a dance professional and wish to submit a writing to “Stories From the Inside”, please also include a short bio, high definition photos, and a head shot of yourself. Send these to info@ladancechronicle.com.
Our policy is: Your writing belongs to you. If we deem it necessary to edit your content we will seek your approval prior to publication. Please only submit content that you know can be published by LADC. There is no compensation for these stories as no one at LADC is being paid for this project. It is a labor of love for our art form.
Featured image: 1970s – Photo by Cheryl Mann Productions
