For more than 15 years, Kristin McQuaid has wowed audiences as an actor, dancer, and choreographer. She recently added designer to that list.
Kristin made her acting debut in the feature film Beautiful staring Minnie Driver, and was also featured in Zombie Prom produced by Wes Craven. She also starred in Greyscale and Boy Chick. She also graced the small screen with recurring appearances in Days of our Lives and American Dreams.
She appeared in music videos and live performances, with top artists, such as Prince, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Mark McGrath, and 80’s pop star Cyndi Lauper. She kept busy starring in several national commercials for U.S. Cellular, Dr. Pepper, Jack In The Box, Outback Steak House, and Pepsi, while she continued to study the arts.
Kristin’s dazzling and versatile choreography has made her a sought after talent. With her fun loving and high-energy personality on set, she promises to leave audiences entertained and wanting more. She began her choreography career, with a full-length professional show, Choosing Sin, to a sold out audience in Los Angeles. In 2015, Kristin was honored to win the choreographer’s TV show Make A Move. Her work has been featured in the Capezio A.C.E. awards, Choreographer’s Carnival stages, and TV commercials for brands, including Vlado Footwear and Old Spice.
She loves being able to communicate emotions through movement and calls her choreography captivating and mindful, with drastic dynamics and a spunky twist. Most recently, her work can be seen on So You Think You Can Dance and fan favorite, Dance Moms.
Kristin’s new endeavor has her designing her own clothing line called KraZe by Kristin. With her unique style and spunky ideas, she encourages others to embrace their true selves and their essence of creativity, style, and individuality. The line is available now at http://www.KraZeByKristin.com.
Kristin is currently working with a few young artists, including Dance Moms star Nia Sioux.
We had an opportunity to chat with Kristin about her latest projects. Check the interview below.
You’re one of the hottest choreographers in the industry. Many may not know you’re also an actress, making your acting debut in the feature film Beautiful. Tell us about the film.
The film, Beautiful, was based around a beauty pageant, and it featured Oscar winning actress Minnie Driver. I played the roll of “Miss Pennsylvania” and got to dress in a cute Dutch outfit. The best part about this film was it was directed by Sally Field. This was the first full length film Sally was directing, so we were all excited to experience this with her. I don’t know about anyone else, but Mrs. Doubtfire was one of my all time favorite movies growing up in the 90’s, so I had a little fan girl moment when I first got to meet Sally on set!
Tell us about your experience transitioning from actress to choreographer.
The transition from actress to choreographer was quite different. Being an actress, you are given material to act, so you don’t need to create a scene or the words on the page. As a choreographer, you start with a blank slate. You have a canvas to produce movement and formations that will inspire audiences without any words.
You have performed in productions with several icons, such as Prince, Britney Spears, and Mark McGrath. How has those experiences shaped your career? What were your takeaways?
I had the honor to work with such amazing legends in our Pop industry. Working along side such amazing talent has allowed me to find who I am as an artist myself, and also really enhance my self-confidence. With these big icons on my resume, it helped line up future jobs and to this day get asked about my wonderful experiences I had with them. I took away some of the best memories of my career and learned they are people just like us.
You are very versatile, so we imagine you have other plans for your career, such as designing your own clothing line called KraZe. Tell us about it.
That’s right! I started my own clothing line called Kraze by Kristin, an online clothing store that sells to both youth and adults. I picked the name Kraze because it matched my personality perfectly. I am very outgoing and “Krazy”. I started this line to help the younger generation build self-confidence. I feel with social media still on the rise, kids and young adults are always judged on how they look. I wanted to allow the customer to wear clothing that shared a message to not only themselves but to others in hopes to inspire. Please come check out my line! www.krazebykristin.com .
Are there any other projects you’re working on that you can share?
I have a few things in the works right now. I am working with a company that makes a very cool product that will sell in stores, like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. We are in pre-production for a commercial with a celebrity who I can’t mention just yet. S,o you will have to stay tuned! I am also returning to Dance Moms and choreographing for the opposing team. This is always fun for me, to work under pressure with the short amount of time we are allotted, and also working with such talented kids.
Let’s talk about your choreography. What do you love most about it?
My main goal from the day I started choreographing was to inspire others. I know that if I connect with someone, then I did my job. I feel that dance and choreography are so much more than just movement. The fact that we can tell a story by the way our body moves is unbelievable.
How has it enhanced your acting career?
I have actually been thinking about this lately. I like to think of dance and choreography as a silent film. I have to make sure that when I am dancing, I am getting the narrative across to the audience so they understand. It is a lot harder than what people think. So, when I am given a script, I am already more connected to the character, and don’t need to work as hard on finding the character.
In between film projects, you’re currently working with a few young artists, including Dance Moms star Nia Sioux. Tell us about it. What is the process?
I love Nia! She is amazing. Nia and I actually met on the set of Dance Moms back in season 6. Her and I just connected. We met up several days after the episode and I choreographed a solo for her. I was blown away at the talent that this young artist has that America doesn’t get to see every week on TV. Her mom, Holly, and I decided we should get this solo on film and release it out to the world! We did just that and it was nothing but positive, positive, positive! I love getting to work with dancers that are hungry to learn and get better. It makes for such a great working atmosphere.
When you’re not working, what do you do to relax?
I am usually with my doggies. I love them so much! Their names are Mickey and Deuce and they are Scottie dogs, and also my best friends. I also hang with my amazing husband, who is a Cardiologist, so really we both are very busy people. We enjoy going on vacations when we both can find the time!
Connect with Kristin:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kristin_McQuaid
Web: http://www.KraZeByKristin.com
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