Maurice “Reese” Clark
Choreographer/Dancer/Actor
Bio – Maurice Danielle Clark was born December 19th, 1979 in Hartford, CT to Deborah Shelton and Lawrence Clark, JR. While living in Hartford at the age of 6, he was intrigued watching a group of teenagers dancing to fast-paced jazz music on the basketball court in Rice Heights. It was then that he was introduced to Street Dancing. Maurice would watch tirelessly, week after week, the teens dance before one day trying it on his own.
Coming from a lower income family, he would not have the opportunity to attend a dance school. Coupled with the religious beliefs of the family, this dancing was not allowed. Maurice was introduced to the movies Flashdance, Breakin’, Breakin’ 2 – Electric Boogaloo and Beat Street. Combined with an ever-present admiration for pop icon, Michael Jackson, Maurice would begin to imitate the dance styles later introduced to him as popping, locking and breaking.
Imitation would later lead to creativity as he began to perfect this style through self teaching and battling at the age of only 10. It was at this time that Maurice would also take his first shot at acting. He landed roles at the tender ages of 9 and 10 in plays which included: “Mary Poppins”, “Winnie the Pooh” (where Maurice would choreograph his first dance number), “Heaven is High- A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” (Maurice choreographed a dance piece, as well as, sang to The King Family –who were present), and “The Little Mermaid” (cast as ‘Sebastian the Crab’).
Maurice would move to Springfield, MA at the age of 13. “Reese” (as he was later nicknamed, would attend parties, clubs and other social events. He was reintroduced to battling; making a name in the local Western Massachusetts area.
Maurice took classes with Kim’s Danceland, (local talent) Laurice Jiggets and (the late) Wayne Kelley – all former students of Mr. Frank Hatchett. Learning and perfecting the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Afro/International, coupled with his already sharp talent of Hip Hop and Street Dance made him a recognized figured in the Western Massachusetts area and landing him his first teaching opportunity with Mr. Wayne Kelley.
In his senior year of high school, he participated in the school stomp team. He was voted in, assuming the role as captain (in his first year on the team). He would also go on to choreograph a full major concert at the Springfield Civic Center at the age of only 16. He would then, take on the role of Director of Dance Ministry for Victory Church Ministries International (VCM) in the year 1998. His combined styles brought a unique flavor to Liturgical Dancing; incorporating Popping, Locking, Breaking, Mime, Step, Afro and Interpretive Dance.
While in this ministry, Maurice became skilled in audio/video production, producing countless tapes, CDs and DVDs or events and services. He became a producer for Comcast Studios, assisting in the production of “The Sam Bass Show.” He also would produce and direct a TV show entitled “Victory through Faith”, an on-going, original program documenting the ministry’s events and inner workings. Maurice would expand his talents producing another original documentary, “Something Different”, showcasing his own journey in the performing arts world.
Maurice took a break from dancing fulltime in 2002, but would still participate in shows at various events until making a triumphant return to dance in 2007, reassuming the role as Director of Dance Ministry for VCM, later reformed to The International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church.
Maurice’s dance style intrigued new members of this communion and was offered sponsorship to open his own studio in 2008 in Holyoke, MA. “The Workshop Dance Studios” would hold classes both privately and publicly seven days a week for the community.
A risky and bold decision to close the doors of his studio in 2009 paid off. Maurice would link with internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer/actor Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quinones in a series of public and private lessons; learning – hands on – from his long time idol (the star of Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2). Training with Mr. Quinones in New York’s Broadway Dance Center Academy and (privately) in Los Angeles and Valencia CA, Maurice developed an even sharper knowledge of his once self-taught skills in Hip Hop and Street Dance.
Maurice took his market outward, partnering with other companies like World of Dance, Jelupa Productions, LifeDance Productions, Gold’s Gym of Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, The Hartbeat Fitness Center, LA Fitness, The Valley Opportunity Council of Chicopee, The YMCA of Greater Springfield and many others. Reese would work with numerous non-profit foundations, which would lead to being honored by Governor M. Jodi Reil for outstanding advocacy for at-risk youth and the performing arts. In May of 2010, Maurice was featured as an honoree and model in “Brothers that Dress”, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s annual fashion show honoring exceptional men.
Maurice has stepped back into the theatrical world of acting. He has a significant role in the upcoming movie “Diamond Ruff” (starring Freddro Starr). In a short time, Maurice’s extraordinary talents have landed him several lead and major roles in plays including: “Long May She Wave” (where he portrayed three different roles in each showcase), “The Secret”, “Bobbi Clayton” and “The Thick Chronicles”. Reese also cameos (as himself) in the upcoming independent film “Sunny’s Secret”.
Most recently, Maurice and his life and business partner Grace Clark are the producers and host of OEG’s UnScripted w/ Reese and Grace, a LIVE radio and online talk show. He is the Director of Choreography for the hit play “Wide Open,” currently scheduled to tour the U.S., fall of 2011. In addition, he will be a featured choreographer in the upcoming production “The Wiz”, scheduled to begin production, fall of 2011. As well, he has collaborated with Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quinones to launch “Universal Truth”, a foundation geared to educating communities on Hip Hop culture. He is partnered with Grace Clark to form The Original Entertainment Group, a media and public relations, creative development company. He continues to educate the community in the performing arts.
DiamondStar Tidbits 