Meet Darrius Stephens | Dancer & Choreographer

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

Hi Darrius, how do you think about risk?
I think risk taking is essential in for the type of work that I do which is dance. I love taking risk just to see the outcome and to make people think and act differently. The role that risk taking has played in my life is ive been on shows. Ive been able to travel and meet new people. Ive been able to educate and add a different thought process, so its been a really big role in my life/career and its a great thing i think so far.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a dancer from Atlanta, Ga. who likes to push the envelope and be myself in every which way. What sets me apart from others is that I’m comfortable with the skin I’m in and I’m always professional no matter what and always humble and willing. I pride myself in being authentic and true to who I am. I’m most proud about how far I’ve come from dancing in my best friends home until now dancing on series, TV shows, pageants, stages and parades. I’m most excited about my newest project with KQED IF CITIES COULD DANCE, which basically is a YouTube series about the different styles of dance in the underground world of there region, area, or city. It shows life through dance and interpretation of people who aren’t recognized like they should be or could be in a different setting so please check it out when your able to. I got to where I am today by just working hard and staying dedicated and always being true to who I am and what I want for myself and my passion. It definitely was not easy to get to where I am today but I’m making it look good. I overcame a lot of challenges by keeping faith, always believing in myself, staying humble and always remembering what my passion is and why I love to do this and just doing instead of talking, thinking and sabotaging myself. Call me corny but i whole heartedly believe and learned that faith without work is dead. To me that sums up what I’ve learned because no matter how much you want something or believe your good or great at something you have to put in work. The more work you put in the better you become and the better things can and will get. I want the world to know that my story is no better or worse than the next person but just know that I am going to get it out there and it needs to be heard and seen so get ready and buckle up because its going to be a bumpy ride, but a great one I can say. As far as my brand just make sure you guys are staying woke because you never know when your going to see Dance Champz of Atlanta and what’s next to come for this great and amazing team.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was here for a week I would take them to different food areas in the midtown area, as well as Edgewood and buckhead area. I would also take them to different dance studios and places with creative and artistic people. Some of my favorite food places that I would take them to is Ru’Sans sushi spot, figo pasta, wild crab seafood, the flying biscuit, and folk art just to name a few. Dance studio wise I would take them to my teams studio which is TBA, as well as dance 411 and rythma studios. One of my most favorite and creative and artistic places to go that I would take them is to the Atlanta beltline. As well as little five points because of how eclectic and artsy I think it is. I love going to places that like to push the envelope and are very personal in my eyes so that’s why I chose these areas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So I want to give a very special shoutout to my wonderful and lovely Dance Captain, Coach, Mentor, and basically family member Leland Thorpe. He is one of the most talented and kind hearted people that you could ever know. He may come off rude or not likeable but that’s all because of his passion for everything he does. He is caring and willing to teach anyone that’s willing to learn and be professional. I would also like to recognize my dance team Dance Champz of Atlanta. They are wonderful, professional, learning, open minded people that i could ever ask for. They come with open arms and hearts and thats what makes them wonderful people as well..

Instagram: @itskingdarrius @dancechampz_
Facebook: Darrius Misconscrewed Stephens

Image Credits
Photo credits goes to Bijouimages aka Tavarious Brown, Dance Champz of Atlanta