SPOTLIGHT: Bec Morris

From Sydney Streets to Hollywood Stages

“Success isn’t about what people think of you… it’s what your soul feels like when no one’s watching.” – Bec Morris

When you scan through Bec Morris’s resume, your jaw might just drop.

From dancing alongside Nicki Minaj at the MTV VMAs , BET Awards , and SNL , to choreographing for JoJo across her US and AU/NZ tours, to directing internationally acclaimed theatrical hits like The Empire Strips Back and A Nightmare On Strip Street — this Sydney-born artist is redefining what it means to be multi-hyphenate in today’s dance and entertainment industry.

But what makes Bec truly magnetic isn't just her credits. It’s the raw honesty, fierce creative fire, and soul-led approach she brings to everything she does — both on stage and behind the scenes.

The Leap of Faith: From Burnout to Big Moves

Before she was a director signed to United Talent Agency in LA , Bec was 25, burnt out, and craving more than the local scene could offer.

“I had a bit of a breakdown,” she shares. “I was being boxed in as a choreographer, but I still had so much dancing left in me.”

So, she made a decision that would change her life. She left home. Left security. And moved to Los Angeles — solo. Not to teach. Not to choreograph. But to dance .

“I gave myself permission to just be the dancer again. I stopped teaching, stopped choreographing – and just immersed myself in learning. That season shaped me into the creative I am now.”

Ironically, stepping away from choreography gave her the clarity and skillset to become one of the industry’s most exciting emerging directors.

The Choreographer Who Found Her Soul in Directing

Many dancers dream of being the star. But for Bec, dancing was never the end goal.

“It was always a stepping stone. I knew I wanted to direct — I just had to learn by doing.”

Now toggling between commercial music and theatrical production, she sees a clear creative distinction:

“In commercial work, it’s about the artist. Their brand. Their energy. You’re there to make them pop.”

“In theatre, I get to serve the story. Flip things. Make people laugh. Build characters from scratch. That freedom feeds my soul.”

Working with NX5 Theatrical , she’s helped shape productions that have sold out across the US, UK, Europe, and Mexico — blending parody, burlesque, and pop culture in unforgettable ways.

A Nightmare on Strip Street — Yes, Pennywise Is En Pointe

When NX5’s producers pitched a “burlesque horror” concept to Bec in 2024, her answer was instant: Let’s go.

What followed was one of the fastest creative turnarounds of her life.

“We had the idea in May, built skeleton crew by July, rehearsed in September, and opened in October. It was chaotic,” she laughs.

While simultaneously directing The Empire Strips Back , Bec was editing music till 1am and crafting elaborate routines that reimagined horror icons with parody, sparkle, and edge.

“Take Pennywise — the killer clown. I had her en pointe in a red tutu, doing a pas de deux with Georgie. I don’t even know where the idea came from. It just worked.”

The show is campy , clever , creepy , and ridiculously entertaining — a testament to Bec’s unique vision and work ethic. And yes, she brought Aussie dancers into the cast too.

That Time Nicki Minaj Pulled Her into a Dressing Room…

Among her surreal career highs, one story stands out.

“We had just wrapped The Ellen Show with Nicki. Then she pulled us into her dressing room and handpicked dancers for Made In America Festival — one of the biggest festivals in the US.”

One catch? There was no choreography . No show. No prep.

“We learned 17 routines in 48 hours on no sleep. We were rehearsing at 3am, sharing rooms, asking each other what count we were on. I didn’t even have my costume on when the intro music played. I was still half-dressed as she walked out on stage.”

“By the final number, we were just standing there, clapping, crying, laughing… It was chaos. And it was magic.”

That performance was Bec’s first ever US live stage show .

Ego vs. Soul: The Real Definition of Success

“From the outside, people saw me working with all the right names. But on the inside, I was struggling.”

At the end of her run with Nicki Minaj, Bec felt the most disconnected from herself she’s ever been.

“You start to realise the difference between what fills your ego and what fills your soul.”

Now, success for her is simple:

“If you didn’t post it, if no one clapped, would it still feel good? That’s the test. That’s success.”

She’s also honest about outgrowing childhood dreams — like the time she made it to Beyoncé’s Coachella closed audition.

“I loved being in that room. But I realised… I don’t want to dance like this. It didn’t feel aligned. And that’s okay. Goals can change.”

Her Process: Vision Boards, Sticky Notes & Real Talk

While she’s not huge on woo-woo manifestation, Bec does believe in setting intentions.

“In my LA apartment, I have a board of mini printed cards — each one with a goal. One day, I looked at it and realised: I’d ticked almost all of them. That stuff works — even in the background.”

She’s also fiercely practical: “When I want something, I figure out the steps and go after it. No fluff. Just action.”

Advice to Young Aussie Dancers: Don’t Just FLY — Build First

Bec is passionate about helping Aussie dancers understand what it really takes to succeed overseas.

Do the hard work at home. Get your credits. Build your name. Travel strategically — go at different times of year, not just during LA’s summer (when everyone’s on break). Be seen in smaller classes. Build connections. Be the kind of person people want to work with. “Talent matters. But consistency and your attitude matter more. If you’re a nightmare to work with — no one will keep you around.”

She also advises dancers to prepare emotionally and logistically for the grind.

“Don’t get lost. Know who you are. Know why you’re here. And have a foundation you can fall back on.”

What’s Next?

There’s something brewing — but it’s still “living in a folder on her desktop.”

“I’m not ready to share it yet. But I’m excited. I’ve been directing for four years now. I’ve learned so much — lighting, casting, stagecraft. So now I’m asking: What’s next? What can I learn next?”

And whatever it is — you can bet it’ll be smart, soulful, and unapologetically Bec .

DANCERS CHOICE SAYS:

Bec Morris isn’t just creating shows — she’s creating space . For dancers. For characters. For joy. For change. For magic.

She’s proof that dancing doesn’t end when the stage lights dim. Sometimes, that’s when the real spotlight begins.

Wherever she heads next, we’ll be watching. And cheering her on — front row.

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SPOTLIGHT: Bec Morris

By Chris Duncan

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