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RICHARD and LAURIE COLLETT
Theatrical Ballroom Dance Champions,
Performers, Adjudicators
Richard and Laurie Collett are ballroom dance champions, performers, and owners
of Rhapsody Ballroom, Tampa, FL. They are undefeated US Amateur Open to the World Theatrical Champions from 1999-2003 and
US Amateur National Cabaret Champions from 2002-2003. They are former Triple Crown Champions, Southeast Regional Champions
in Cabaret & American Smooth, and finalists in American Smooth and Standard ballroom dancing at the Ohio Star Ball, US
DanceSport Championships, and US National Amateur Championships.
Since turning professional in Sept. 2003, Richard
& Laurie Collett have been US representatives and finalists at the 2003 Invitational World Professional Exhibition Championships
held in the Netherlands, 2003 Southeastern States Theatrical Champions, Grand Finalists in the 2004 US Open Cabaret/Showdance
Championships, and 2004/2006 Triple Crown Theatrical Champions (the only couple in 31 years to win that title both as amateurs
and as professionals).
Richard and Laurie Collett specialize in Theatre Arts and Cabaret, but have also held championship
titles in American Smooth, Rhythm, International Standard and Latin.
The Colletts' innovative choreography, showy
and musical style, and dramatic portrayals of classical and popular themes have brought them many invitations to perform both
nationwide and abroad. Notable roles include Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe, Miss Saigon, Fire and Ice, Carmen,
Spartacus, Rhapsody in Blue, Whatever Lola Wants, The Woman at the Well, and Memoirs of a Geisha. Their special passion is
dancing to Christian music and themes, often to lyrics Laurie has written and recorded.
Richard amd Laurie Collett
have given live solo performances in Russia, Japan, Ireland, Hong Kong, Holland & Italy; at Tampa Bay Performing Arts
Center, St. Petersburg Coliseum, Ringling Performing Arts Center, Ryman Auditorium Grand Old Opry, Straz, Mahaffey Theatre,
van Wezel, and Charles Eisemann Performing Arts Center. While dancing with the US Professional American Style Team tour of
Russia, they were televised throughout Russia and danced to live audiences of 5000 in Moscow & 8000 in Leningrad.
Richard and Laurie Collett's TV appearances include interviews & competition dancing on the Learning Channel documentary,
“The Secret World of Ballroom Dancing;” 2006 documentary “Swing has Sprung;” PBS special "Evening
of Championship Dancing;" "Daytime;" & news & talk shows. In 2003 they were featured solo dancers with
the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra led by Erich Kunzel and also the Sarasota Orchestra. From 2007-2009, Richard and Laurie
participated in "Celebrity Dancing in Tampa Bay", where ten professionals and ten local celebrities "competed"
to raise money for The Spring of Tampa Bay. In 2014 they performed in front of 2000 people at the Ryman Auditorium (the
original "Grand Ole Opry") in Nashville. In season 7 of America's Got Talent, they were one of 300 acts selected
from 150,000 auditions to perform for the celebrity judges. Richard Collett, a retired Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, is a real estate manager and Laurie Barclay
Collett is a retired neurologist, consultant, and writer for WebMD/Medscape and other clients. Their son Brendan is a summa
cum laude graduate from the University of South Florida Honors College in June 2011 and is now a vice president for Citicorp.
Richard and Laurie Collett are available for shows and championship adjudicating and are certified as judges in
all 5 styles. They are also accomplished MCs and dance commentators, and Laurie is a solo singer and gives lectures
offering medical and holistic perspectives on DanceSport and on the art of ballroom dancing. Contact us at the Rhapsody Ballroom, home
of great ballroom & Latin dancing in Tampa, FL! Cell: 813-220-1143; Email: rhapsodyballroom@aol.com
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