Deanna Kay
Founder and Artistic Director of Agape Ballet & Performing Arts, where she has led a classical ballet based program geared to mirroring the Christian walk with discipline and technique to build excellence but also cultivating a culture of freedom and worship. Her background spans from ballet, pointe, pas de deux/partnering, contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theatre, ballroom, worship dance, choreography, to production direction.
My Story
Deanna began her dance training in Dothan, Alabama and trained through Southeast Dance Company and Onstage Dance Academy, studying ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and theatre. Her early performance experience included SEACT’s The Nutcracker, Charlotte’s Web, The Wizard of Oz, original works by Ron DeVane, dinner-theatre performances at The Understudy Dinner Theater, Marianna High School Show Choir, Dance at Disney, and Chipola College’s Footloose, Sound of Music, Alice in Wonderland, and Hairspray. She later moved to Central/South Florida and trained with Ballet Florida, gained skill in ice skating and attended professional auditions including the Buccaneers Cheerleaders placing in the top 25% and placed in the top 7 finalist for the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls.
Upon moving back to the panhandle, Deanna attended Southern Academy of Ballet Arts and danced with Pas de Vie Ballet Company. Deanna danced with Pas De Vie Ballet Company, performing in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Rodeo, Graduation Ball, Czerny, and original works by Natalia Botha and Charles Hagan. Deanna also danced with Patti Rutland Jazz Company performing the company’s annual Fright Night events, Santa’s Workshop, spring repertoire performances, galas, fundraising events and a company tour of “Move”. Additional performance credits include Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Corps in the Chipley Christmas Spectacular, Dance Orlando/Orlando Ballet School, Cinema Danza’s Transform by the Wind on Pureflix, the Alabama Dance Festival, Impact Dance Project, and Panama City Ballet’s The Nutcracker as Dew Drop and Mouse King.
As a choreographer, she choreographed Footloose for Spanish Trail Playhouse, White Christmas for Tallahassee Little Theatre, and the Chipola College Christmas Spectacular community dance ensemble. At Agape Ballet & Performing Arts, Deanna has created and led original and adapted stage productions including A Christmas Carol Ballet, Sleeping Beauty Ballet & Fairy Tale Excerpts, Alice in Wonderland Ballet, 12 Dancing Princesses Ballet, and The Littlest Mermaid Ballet. She also founded Agape’s Theatrical Arts Program. Her teaching experience also branches out into the community with now including line dancing classes for all ages, cardio worship dance, and toning barre/ballet basics. Seasonally Deanna has led children’s dance worship small groups and helps with local church VBSs’.
Throughout her dance career, Deanna has pursued continuing education through workshops, intensives, master classes, and training opportunities with artists and organizations connected to American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet Florida, Houston Ballet, Ballet Magnificat, Pas De Vie Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Ballet West, The Royal Academy of Ballet, Broadway, Disney World, Ingredients Dance Company, Troy University, Florida State University and others that have poured into her through her career. She continues to value growth as both an artist and educator while encouraging students to develop strong techniques, artistry, confidence, and purpose.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
- Psalm 119:105