By pursuing a boyhood hobby, Shaun Casey reaped the benefits of what some might call forces beyond his control.
From the time Casey, 26, was a boy, he reveled in Irish dance, proving a proficiency for the art form that allowed him to compete in international competitions. Then, shortly before Casey graduated from Green Mountain High School, an ambitious Irish-American dancer, Michael Flatley, unveiled a show entitled Lord of the Dance in Dublin.
Casey watched as Flatley’s production became a phenomenon; it got the world talking about what had interested Casey since he was 10.
“I thought it was pretty amazing,” Casey said. “I went to Vegas to see it for the first time. I was fascinated by it.”
Casey’s fascination with the show led him to a spot on the show. And after six years performing in a Lord of the Dance troupe, he and his wife have returned to Lakewood to operate a dance studio that he hopes will foster similar ambitions in Lakewood’s youth.
PURSUING A DREAM
By his senior year of high school, Casey had plied his Irish dancing skills in 10 western regional championships, seven North American championships and three world competitions.
He also showed off his talents in school talent shows, assemblies and proms.
“I was kind of a natural at it,” Casey said. “Everyone accepted it and loved it, even if the guys thought it was something weird.
“I never felt awkward or like I had to hold back with it,” he said.
As Casey watched Lord of the Dance become the top ticket seller in the nation, he was so infatuated with the idea of joining the tour that he put off going to college to await audition results. The October following his high school graduation, he was given a slot in a Lord of the Dance troupe that toured mainly North America.
“It was too good of an opportunity to pass up,” he said. “Every dancer was infatuated with this production.”
Casey ended up spending six years on tour with Lord of the Dance, undergoing a grueling 12-weeks-on/two-weeks-off touring schedule that eventually reached a crescendo of six cities a week.
During the six years, conditions were chaotic and challenging as the show’s producers mandated physical workouts and diets for the dancers.
When some troupes merged, Casey met a soft-voiced, blonde dancer from Ireland named Aisling. Although for much of the tour they didn’t hang out, they eventually got some days off during a long stopover at a casino in Biloxi, Miss. They fell in love and were married last year.
For each one, the other was a bright spot in an often-demanding lifestyle.
“It was a really hectic way to live,” Aisling said. “The living-out-of-the-suitcase thing became old.”
At least the money was good.
Casey said that many of the more ambitious dancers were often seen practicing musical instruments and taking real-estate courses online, preparing for life after Lord of the Dance.
The Caseys also gave themselves their own parachute: They recently opened Celtic Steps in Lakewood near Wadsworth Boulevard and West Hampden Avenue. They also teach Irish dance six days a week at dance schools in other cities.
For the Caseys, Celtic Steps represents hopes of bringing their dance interest to a new generation, one that undoubtedly has had more mainstream exposure to Irish dancing than did Shaun Casey.
“It feels good to be back in Lakewood,” he said.
“It feels like I’m giving back to my community, and trying to show everyone that we can have a successful dance studio in Lakewood.”