Charles Klapow
Encyclopedia
Charles "Chucky" Klapow (born July 5, 1980) is an American choreographer and dance instructor who has performed and choreographed for various performers and several television and stage productions. He is also known for his teachings of the mental approach to dance. Klapow's mother is Filipino and his father is Russian American.
, Celine Dion
, Sheila E.
, Salt-N-Pepa
, Melissa Etheridge
, and others in an all-star concert for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. This included a dancing spot in the Paula Abdul
music video "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah". By the time he was 15, Charles was an assistant to choreographer and mentor Marguerite Derricks
. He assisted Marguerite and danced in Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery
(1997), 3rd Rock from the Sun
, Fame L.A., among others. Charles created a dance company with partner Wade Robson
in the mid-1990s called L.A. Images.
In the fall of 2000, Charles Klapow started choreographing for the Swedish pop group the A*Teens. He was their choreographer for music videos including "Floorfiller", "Halfway Around The World", "Sugar Rush", "Can't Help Falling In Love", and "I Promised Myself" as well as their tour director and choreographer from 2001-2003. These tours took Charles to Germany, Sweden and all over the United States
, with additional spot dates in Mexico
, Spain
, Russia
, and Denmark
.
Ever since the inaugural season of the WNBA Charles has been a choreographer for the "Sparkids", the hip hop squad which performs at all Los Angeles Sparks
home games. In 2005, Charles became co-director of the squad under the direction of Christy Buss and he assumed most of the choreography duties for the Sparkids during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
Chucky was brought on board by Kenny Ortega
(Dirty Dancing
choreographer) to help choreograph High School Musical
(2006), a Disney Channel Original Movie, with Bonnie Story. Very quickly, Ortega became another mentor to Klapow as they quickly developed a working chemistry together. Klapow served with Ortega and Story as a choreographer for the film's sequels, "High School Musical 2" and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year
." He can be seen in all High School Musical movies as a dancer as well.
Klapow has choreographed commercials for companies including Gap Kids, Old Navy
, JCPenney, Carl's Jr, Disney's Friends for Change
He also choreographed "Cheetah Girls 2" starring Raven-Symone
and The Cheetah Girls.
In 2009, Chucky was asked by his mentor Kenny Ortega
to be the choreographer for the movie musical remake of Footloose
starring Chace Crawford
, and Julianne Hough
, which Ortega directed, but Chucky turned it down, so he could fulfill his dreams of dancing with Michael Jackson on his comeback tour in London, which was announced in March. Ironically, Kenny Ortega was set to be the tour director of the shows. Klapow was one of twelve dancers picked for Michael Jackson
's This Is It
shows at The O2 Arena
in London, England, which was set to begin July 13, 2009 through March 6, 2010, and produced by AEG Live
. But on June 25, 2009, just eighteen days before the first show, Michael Jackson died of a cardiac arrest. AEG Live
cancelled the whole tour.
On July 7, 2009, Chucky took part in the Michael Jackson memorial service
at the Staples Center
in Los Angeles
where days prior to Michael Jackson's death, Chucky, Michael and the whole This Is It crew were rehearsing at the Staples Center in preparations for the London concerts at the The O2 Arena. Klapow took part in the performance of Will You Be There
performed by Jennifer Hudson
, where he, and the original eleven This Is It dancers were back-up dancers for the performance. It is said that this performance was how Michael Jackson was set to perform the song at his London concerts. Kenny Ortega was the director of the memorial service.
Chucky also choreographed Disney's Friends for Change.
Klapow is Filipino-American. His mother is of a Filipino descent. His father has Russian
background. His sister, Kimberly Klapow, has appeared with him in all 3 High School Musical
s. She also appeared in High School Musical: The Concert
as part of the East High basketball team.
On July 6, 2011, Klapow choreographed Ricky and Ryan's Dance on So You Think You Can Dance. They were zombies who loved fashion.
Life and career
Charles began his dancing career at age 12, dancing for Patti LaBellePatti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
, Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
, Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
, Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Lou Etheridge is an American rock singer-songwriter and musician.Etheridge is known for her mixture of confessional lyrics, pop-based folk-rock, and raspy, smoky vocals...
, and others in an all-star concert for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. This included a dancing spot in the Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
music video "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah". By the time he was 15, Charles was an assistant to choreographer and mentor Marguerite Derricks
Marguerite Derricks
Marguerite Pomerhn-Derricks, professionally known as Marguerite Derricks, is a multi award-winning choreographer, ballerina and actress born in Buffalo, New York in 1961....
. He assisted Marguerite and danced in Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a 1997 American science fiction/action-comedy film and the first film of the Austin Powers series. It was directed by Jay Roach and written by Mike Myers who also stars in the title role. Myers also plays Dr. Evil, Austin Powers' arch-enemy...
(1997), 3rd Rock from the Sun
3rd Rock from the Sun
3rd Rock from the Sun is an American sitcom that aired from 1996 to 2001 on NBC. The show is about four extraterrestrials who are on an expedition to Earth, which they consider to be a very insignificant planet...
, Fame L.A., among others. Charles created a dance company with partner Wade Robson
Wade Robson
Wade Jeremy William Robson is an Australian dance prodigy, director, producer, songwriter, and award-winning choreographer. He began performing as a dancer at the age of five. He has directed music videos and world tours for numerous music artists such as 'N Sync and Britney Spears...
in the mid-1990s called L.A. Images.
In the fall of 2000, Charles Klapow started choreographing for the Swedish pop group the A*Teens. He was their choreographer for music videos including "Floorfiller", "Halfway Around The World", "Sugar Rush", "Can't Help Falling In Love", and "I Promised Myself" as well as their tour director and choreographer from 2001-2003. These tours took Charles to Germany, Sweden and all over the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, with additional spot dates in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Ever since the inaugural season of the WNBA Charles has been a choreographer for the "Sparkids", the hip hop squad which performs at all Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
home games. In 2005, Charles became co-director of the squad under the direction of Christy Buss and he assumed most of the choreography duties for the Sparkids during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
Chucky was brought on board by Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega
Kenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
(Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing is a 1987 American romantic film. Written by Eleanor Bergstein and directed by Emile Ardolino, the film features Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles, as well as Cynthia Rhodes and Jerry Orbach...
choreographer) to help choreograph High School Musical
High School Musical
High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
(2006), a Disney Channel Original Movie, with Bonnie Story. Very quickly, Ortega became another mentor to Klapow as they quickly developed a working chemistry together. Klapow served with Ortega and Story as a choreographer for the film's sequels, "High School Musical 2" and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a 2008 American romantic musical film and the third and final installment in the High School Musical trilogy. Its theatrical release in the United States began on October 24, 2008...
." He can be seen in all High School Musical movies as a dancer as well.
Klapow has choreographed commercials for companies including Gap Kids, Old Navy
Old Navy
Old Navy is an American clothing brand as well as a chain of stores owned by Gap, Inc., with corporate operations in San Francisco and San Bruno, California. It is one of the first major corporations to house headquarters in the new Mission Bay district of San Francisco.Gap, Inc. was run by...
, JCPenney, Carl's Jr, Disney's Friends for Change
Disney's Friends for Change
Disney's Friends for Change is a pro-social "green" initiative that started in the summer of 2009. Disney stars stress environmental issues in the campaign, encouraging fans to take action. The year-long campaign draws on how Disney stars connect with young fans...
He also choreographed "Cheetah Girls 2" starring Raven-Symone
Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman , known professionally as Raven-Symoné , or simply Raven, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, comedian, dancer, television producer and model. Symoné launched her successful career in 1989 after appearing in The Cosby Show as Olivia...
and The Cheetah Girls.
In 2009, Chucky was asked by his mentor Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega
Kenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
to be the choreographer for the movie musical remake of Footloose
Footloose (2011 film)
Footloose is a 2011 American dance film directed by Craig Brewer. It is a remake of the 1984 film of the same name and stars Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, and Andie MacDowell. The film follows a young man who moves from Boston to a small southern town and protests the town's ban...
starring Chace Crawford
Chace Crawford
Christopher Chace Crawford , better known as Chace Crawford, is an American actor. He currently portrays Nate Archibald on the CW television drama Gossip Girl.-Early life:...
, and Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough
Julianne Alexandra Hough is an American professional ballroom dancer, country music singer and actress. She is most widely known for being a two-time champion of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. She earned a Creative Arts Primetime Emmy nomination in 2007 for choreography...
, which Ortega directed, but Chucky turned it down, so he could fulfill his dreams of dancing with Michael Jackson on his comeback tour in London, which was announced in March. Ironically, Kenny Ortega was set to be the tour director of the shows. Klapow was one of twelve dancers picked for Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's This Is It
This Is It (Michael Jackson concerts)
This Is It was a planned series of fifty concerts by Michael Jackson to be held at The O2 Arena in London. They were scheduled to begin in July 2009 and continue through to March 2010. However, with all concerts sold out, Jackson died less than three weeks before the first concert date...
shows at The O2 Arena
The O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
in London, England, which was set to begin July 13, 2009 through March 6, 2010, and produced by AEG Live
AEG Live
Anschutz Entertainment Group Live is a live entertainment promotion subsidiary of Anschutz Entertainment Group. It is the world's second largest live show promoter....
. But on June 25, 2009, just eighteen days before the first show, Michael Jackson died of a cardiac arrest. AEG Live
AEG Live
Anschutz Entertainment Group Live is a live entertainment promotion subsidiary of Anschutz Entertainment Group. It is the world's second largest live show promoter....
cancelled the whole tour.
On July 7, 2009, Chucky took part in the Michael Jackson memorial service
Michael Jackson memorial service
A public memorial service for Michael Jackson was held on July 7, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California 12 days after his death on June 25...
at the Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where days prior to Michael Jackson's death, Chucky, Michael and the whole This Is It crew were rehearsing at the Staples Center in preparations for the London concerts at the The O2 Arena. Klapow took part in the performance of Will You Be There
Will You Be There
"Will You Be There" is a song by Michael Jackson which was released in 1993. The song is the eighth single from the 1991 album Dangerous. The song also appeared on the soundtrack to the film Free Willy, of which it is the main theme....
performed by Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and spokesperson. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of American Idol coming in seventh place...
, where he, and the original eleven This Is It dancers were back-up dancers for the performance. It is said that this performance was how Michael Jackson was set to perform the song at his London concerts. Kenny Ortega was the director of the memorial service.
Chucky also choreographed Disney's Friends for Change.
Klapow is Filipino-American. His mother is of a Filipino descent. His father has Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
background. His sister, Kimberly Klapow, has appeared with him in all 3 High School Musical
High School Musical
High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
s. She also appeared in High School Musical: The Concert
High School Musical: The Concert
High School Musical: The Concert was a 40-city concert tour based on the popular hit Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical, sponsored by AEG Live and presented by Buena Vista Concerts...
as part of the East High basketball team.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 2006 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006... |
"High School Musical High School Musical High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and... " |
Choreographer | Released |
| 2007 2007 in film This is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007... |
"High School Musical 2" | Choreographer | Released |
| 2008 2008 in film This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008... |
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year High School Musical 3: Senior Year High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a 2008 American romantic musical film and the third and final installment in the High School Musical trilogy. Its theatrical release in the United States began on October 24, 2008... " |
Choreographer | Released |
| 2009 2009 in film The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note... |
"Michael Jackson's This Is It Michael Jackson's This Is It Michael Jackson's This Is It is a 2009 American documentary–concert film directed by Kenny Ortega that documents Michael Jackson's rehearsals and preparation for the concert series of the same name scheduled to start on July 13, 2009, but canceled due to his death eighteen days prior on June 25. It... " |
Himself | Released |
On July 6, 2011, Klapow choreographed Ricky and Ryan's Dance on So You Think You Can Dance. They were zombies who loved fashion.
Awards
- 2006 - Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for Outstanding Choreography for "High School MusicalHigh School MusicalHigh School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
" along with Kenny OrtegaKenny OrtegaKenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
and Bonnie Story. - 2007 - Choreography Media Honors Award for "High School MusicalHigh School MusicalHigh School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
" along with Kenny OrtegaKenny OrtegaKenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
and Bonnie Story. - 2007 - Outstanding Contribution to Dance Award from the Tremaine Dance Conventions
- 2008 - Choreography Media Honors Award for "High School Musical 2" along with Kenny OrtegaKenny OrtegaKenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
and Bonnie Story. - 2008 - Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nomination for Outstanding Choreography for "High School Musical 2" along with Kenny OrtegaKenny OrtegaKenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
and Bonnie Story. - 2009 - Astaire Awards nomination for Best Film Choreographer for "High School Musical 3: Senior YearHigh School Musical 3: Senior YearHigh School Musical 3: Senior Year is a 2008 American romantic musical film and the third and final installment in the High School Musical trilogy. Its theatrical release in the United States began on October 24, 2008...
" shared with Kenny OrtegaKenny OrtegaKenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
and Bonnie Story.