Center: McCree O'Kelley dances in "Cinderella" When McCree O'Kelley was fastened into the $40,000 Mr. Mistoffelees costume for the first time, it was fulfillment of a dream that began years earlier as a sixth grader watching his first performance of "Cats."

"It is one of those roles that you work really hard, but you also receive a lot of appreciation for that hard work," O'Kelley said. "I knew I was going to have a lot of trouble as a dancer topping that experience."

O'Kelley's dancing career took shape in Columbia where he was raised by his father Sam and mother Marianita. As a child, he walked the halls of Rosewood Elementary, Hand Middle School, and Dreher High School. After spending a brief time in the now defunct Upstage Children's Theatre, O'Kelley put his dancing future in the capable hands of Columbia legend Ann Brodie at Calvert- Brodie School of Dance.

"To me, Miss Ann hung the moon," he said. "She was the reason I danced."

Secure in his passion for dance, O'Kelley left Columbia at age 16 to attend the School of American Ballet in New York City. The transition was a challenge for the young dancer who found the competition intense and big city culture a shock. He chose to leave the city to finish his senior year in high school and first year in college at the North Carolina School of the Arts, now University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Above: McCree O'kelly By age 19, O'Kelley was ready to go professional and joined the Atlanta Ballet. During his stint with the small, 20- member company, he received a lot of on- stage time and was featured in the world premiere of the ballet "Open Veins." The experience was invaluable if not a bit exhausting.

"The company didn't have the traditional hierarchy," he said. "So every day was like an audition."

After two years in Atlanta, the then 21- yearold was ready to give New York City another try. With only $800 and the support of his parents, O'Kelley took on the cutthroat world of Broadway. After about four months of auditioning for just about everything, he was finally offered the coveted role of Mr. Mistoffelees in the national tour of "Cats."

O'Kelley reveled in the character's 17 minute solo, which included flying in from the ceiling and a number of myste- r i ous

stage ef fects. The dancer's skills made an impression with audiences. Dallas reviewer John Garcia proclaimed O'Kelley "the best male dancer of the company..." in an online review at www.talkingbroadway. com. He also said, "He clearly shows vast talent as a dancer, and his number is a major highlight of the evening."

But even with all the applause and excitement, after 13 months O'Kell e y was re ady to move on to something new and decided to head east to Japan for an eight- month gig at Tokyo Disney. As if it weren't jarring enough to be put in a new culture and work environment,

O'Kelley's Asian adventure got off to a near- tragic start when he was hit by a car while crossing the street.

"It kept me out of the show for two weeks," he said. "I was really lucky though." He walked away with a small scar on his left cheek but thankfully no career- altering injuries. By the end of his contract, O'Kelley was in love with Japan and its audiences and would choose to return again to perform after a few years in New York regional theater and a stint at the Metropolitan Opera Ballet.

By the time he decided to book his second plane ticket to Japan, O'Kelley knew it was about time for him to return home and finish his college education.

"I wanted to leave on my own terms," he said. "I wanted to have a more stable lifestyle. Although, I did miss the adrenaline rush of not knowing where the next paycheck was coming from."

Once back in the Palmetto State, O'Kelley began teaching at studios around town and eventually enrolled at USC and chose a dance major. Now, nearing completion of his degree, he is looking toward dance education as a future career.

In addition to his local and regional teaching jobs, O'Kelley also found time to choreograph Workshop Theatre's summer production of "High School Musical 2," an experience that allowed him to share dance with a large group of children of varying skill levels.

"I've known for a while that is what I want to do," he said. "I think it takes a lot to be a good teacher."