Special Feature - Success Story #1 - Paula Caselton

Building Leaders for Success is proud to present our first in a monthly series of success stories of people following their dreams while helping others to follow theirs. I first had the opportunity to work with Paula Caselton on tour through Europe for Make A Wish. What you are going to read is a humble snapshot of a life filled with success through intelligence, talent and beauty. Paula has used her craft to bring art to millions of people while her heart has moved her to work for a charity that helps so many.

The Success Story of Paula Caselton presented by Building Leaders for Success:

My name is Paula Caselton and I am a professional dancer from Long Island, New York. I started dancing at age 3 and continued to take my dance training very seriously until graduating high school.  I dedicated everyday after school and weekends to training and rehearsing to compete in national dance competitions. I started my professional dance career at age 19 and have been fortunate to be able to make a living doing what I love since.  I danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line for 7 years as a performer in the productions shows.  I was able to travel the world, do what I love, meet people from all over the world, and get paid! I then lived and worked in Las Vegas for 4.5 years as dance captain for a show directed and choreographed by Tony Award Winner, Jerry Mitchell. 

Being a dance captain is very prestigious.  It means the choreographer trusts you to maintain the integrity and style of the show and choreography.  However, it is very stressful.  It teaches you how to multi task, how to think on your feet, retain a large amount of information very quickly and it helps you understand the production side of being in a show and putting a show together. 

I am now living in New York City and auditioning for Broadway Shows.  Auditioning is not easy.  Do you know that dancers face more rejection in one week, than most people do in a lifetime? It’s the passion, drive and perseverance that keep us from giving up on a dream, and making our dream a reality. 

In the meantime I am also producing a show.  I feel if you want something bad enough, sometimes you need to create the opportunity for yourself.  I am taking a chance but that’s what life is all about. Things happen for a reason and to prepare you for what your future is meant to be. We learn and take away something from every experience. Without all of my past accomplishments I’d never be able to produce a show because I’d have no idea what goes into putting a show together. There are many contributing factors to my success and where I am in this stage of my career.  My parents and family are my biggest fans and are always there to support me.  Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.  They made many sacrifices so I could get the proper training to make my dreams of becoming a professional dancer come true.  Seeing what they did and how much they gave, has taught me appreciation.  

My dance teachers, David and Kim Sanders are a perfect example of what it is to be dedicated, passionate, and have patience. They have taught me how to accept constructive criticism and that no one is perfect.  Practice makes better, not perfect.  They taught me to always believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something or that you aren’t good enough.  I have learned to be strong and to never let anything stand in my way.  They have been such an inspiration to me. They have taught me everything I know about dance, performing and what it is to be a true professional.  They have instilled in me discipline and perseverance. I still hear them in my head telling me things they said when I was 15 years old!  

I do love to share my passion for what I do with others. I enjoy teaching and inspiring young dancers.  I find myself saying the same phrases to my students that my dance teachers once said to me. Sometimes certain people make an impression on you that lasts a lifetime.  David and Kim Sanders are a major contributing factor to my success! 

I am the director of an annual charity event I started in Las Vegas 5 years ago.  Jerry Mitchell started the event in NYC 24 years ago and it was such a huge success he thought it would be a great idea to start the event in Las Vegas. Being the dance captain of his show there, it was natural he looked to me to organize it, and in only 3 weeks.  I had no budget and no idea what the event was like in NYC.  But I did some research and gathered up as many dancers as I could and we put on a show and raised $10,000! Now we are in our 5th year and in 4 years we have raised over $100,000.00 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. 

I enjoy helping others in need, those less fortunate and giving back.  I love that I can do this by sharing the joy, passion and love I have for performing.  Jerry Mitchell is an inspiration because he started this event in NYC 24 years ago with 6 friends and was determined to raise money to help those in need and to continue to do so year after year for many years to come.  He is a Tony Award winning choreographer and director, but started out as a performer.  He set goals for himself and has achieved them! 

I had the honor and pleasure of teaching for 2 years at a private school in South Florida.  You really never know the impact you can have on someone.  I keep in touch with some of my students and they have since graduated and moved onto college.  I get emails time to time from some of my former students thanking me for what I taught them, for taking the time and having the patience to make sure they understood a certain step or dance move, for encouraging them to strive to reach their goals and to follow their dreams. 

You see success, in my opinion, is not measured by a dollar amount, how much money you make or what others deem it to be.  To me success is setting your own individual goals, for yourself, and doing what it takes to achieve them.  I set a goal of becoming a professional dancer and did everything possible to make that happen. I set a goal for Las Vegas to raise money to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and did what was necessary to make the event a success. I have since set new goals for myself and am currently doing what I need to achieve those goals. Remember, anything is possible if you apply yourself and put your mind to it.  The world is your oyster, now go and get yourself a pearl!

Thank you Paula for sharing a small part of your story. I am sure that we will see you again making your dreams come true and helping improve the lives of others.

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