Meet Amanda Carlson | Choreographer, Dancer, Fitness instructor & Owner of Night One Productions

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Carlson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
As a creative, risk is a natural part of my life and career. Risk has taken me to places that I never imagined I would land. Risk takes trust and faith that the universe is on your side, as well and a deep trust in your own intuition. There have been many crossroads in my life and career; I have learned to trust and sit with the reaction my body presents when trying to make a decision. Yes, risk is scary. But I am so grateful that I jumped, that I took the risks that lead me to live in many different cities, audition for dance companies I never thought I would get to dance with, take classes that were too advanced for me, starting my own production company when I wasn’t “ready”, and making connections with people along the way that of which our paths would have never crossed had I not taking a risk.
Life should not be a calm walk in paradise. It should be a slow dance through fire. A speed race to destiny. An infinite game of of uncertainty and excitement. Feeling every high and every low, addicted to experience. Chase your curiosities, don’t let your dreams pass by. Take the risk. You’ll thank yourself later in life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Let me introduce you to Night One Productions, a production company that I launched in 2022.

Night One Productions focuses on collaborating and connecting with non-profit organizations to produce dynamic events that are innovative, meaningful and impactful.
We create live performances/experiences woven into fundraising events. Fashion shows, dance, theater, music, visual art, photography and so much more. Producing events that tell the unique narrative of the organization, purpose and vision.
Our approach is to inspire audiences through story telling and engaging experiences to maximize fundraising impact.

I am a choreographer and a movement artist. After stepping away from competitive gymnastics, I starting dancing more seriously (other than taking an occasional Ballet or Jazz class while in Gymnastics) and began to train in many different styles of dance. This eventually lead me to living in NYC to pursue a dream of being a professional dancer. But before that I took a risk, quit dancing, moved to Telluride in pursuit of snowboarding and living the mountain life dream. My time in Telluride did lead me back to dancing, in time, and to then choreograph the Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show for several years. Being a part of these shows were the very beginning sparks of what I knew I wanted to focus on with my art, movement, passions and life. Which is when the seed of Night One Productions began grow.

While living in NYC, I took classes, trained, auditioned and did the artist hustle that many of us know. 16 hour days were typical for me, rehearsals beginning at 8am, an entire day of classes, work and more, then more rehearsals going until as late at midnight. As the hustle began to wear on me, it became clear that I needed another form of income to be able to make ends meet. I have always loved movement of any form and with my gymnastics background (which translates into training/working out for 4 hours a day at least 3 days a week) going into the fitness industry felt like a natural next step. The fitness industry is what lead me to jumping on a plane a moving to Dubai.

Again, I tried to step away from dance and focus on my fitness career in Dubai. But as any dancer knows, we can never move away from dance. It will always wiggle its way back into your life. Which I am so grateful for! While continuing my career in fitness, I began dancing with a contemporary company called Sima Dance Company. These dancers were my family, my support system and my inspiration while I was away from my own family. I grew immensely as a mover while being a part of their company. The director and choreographer’s approach to movement, intentions, grace, and intensity were different from the training I had received in the US and began to open my eyes (and body) to the question of why do I dance? Who am I serving with my art? My time dancing with them will always be one of my most favorite experiences.

Almost just a quickly as I had jumped on a plane there (to Dubai), I decided to move back to Colorado to be closer to my family. Not even a month had passed, I had barley gotten over reverse culture shock, when the world shut down. This was one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced in my career and life (as it was for the entire world). Every aspect of my career was in person, so needless to say, I had zero work, no gigs, no fitness class to coach, no upcoming auditions or shows…. nothing. But as all of us did, I got creative and went to the land of zoom.

I am currently dancing with two different companies in Denver area. Wild Heart Dance and Authentic Grooves. I adore these directors, choreographers and dancers. I also coach group fitness and continue to do personal training. And with all of that my production company (Night One Productions) is still growing roots and beginning to find its footing in the front range community. I am thrilled to have some exciting events coming up in 2024.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There would definitely be a Red Rocks concert or yoga on the rocks, or both!
Paddle boarding at Bear Creek lake.
A nice stroll around Sloan’s Lake, then lunch at US Thai (best Thai in denver!).
Rollerskating around Washington Park, then a little sunbathing.
Hiking pretty much anywhere (But I usually head out of Denver for that)
Dinner at Cuba Cuba, then head out for a night of dancing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It is challenging to narrow this down to a singular person, group or organization. There’s has been so many mentors and people who have inspired me in my ever evolving pursuit of following my passions. But there a few that stand out and that I would not be where I am today without them. My family has always supported me, told me to just go for it and held space for me when things didn’t work out the way I had hoped. My sister, Lacy, has been and is one of my biggest supporters. She is at almost every show I perform in, travels across the country and world to see me, hugs me when I am crying from not booking that contract and makes me laugh endlessly. Thank you Lacy.
My dear friends and co creatives, Katy Parnello and Jamie Jackson Jr, have not only been mentors to me in the dance and art world, but also have been my favorite people to collaborate with with creating a show. When we get together to create, there is magic that is felt throughout the entire process which bleeds into the cast and audience feeling a desire to act and support their communities. I have learned so much from you both, I am forever grateful.

Website: https://aspencares.org

Instagram: @nightoneproductions @manamae1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amanda.Mae.Carlson/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjy-PDxuRqzeGYx_srKyCqA