Show & Tell: Amelia Bruff of ‘Jubilee!’

Q: You came to “Jubilee!” from a show in Aruba?

A: I actually was in Aruba, dancing in a show for one year. I met some people who lived in Las Vegas and I came here to visit, and it happened to be during the week of the “Jubilee!” audition. I had no idea what a Vegas show was, that there even were shows like this. Then I saw the show and I was like, “I want to be in that show!” and I got it.

Q: When did you start dancing?

A: I started dancing when I was 7 or 8. My older sister was taking jazz classes at the studio and we would get there early. The class before her was tap, and I wanted to be a tapper, so I’d watch through the window and then go home and practice.

Q: What was the appeal?

A: I think it was the sound and the rhythm of the tapping I just loved. (Laughs) I’d go to the grocery store with my mom, and I’d put on shoes that made a sound so I could do stuff down the aisle .

Q: But, eventually, you got to take classes of your own?

A: I loved it. I couldn’t get enough. I’d get little 45 (rpm) records in the garage and practice my routines all week long until I went to class again.

Q: Which 45s did you dance to?

A: I used to listen to my parents’ eight-tracks, and one of the ones they had was (by) the Carpenters. I loved Karen Carpenter. She was great. But I used to buy the 45 of whatever song I was dancing to.

Q: Were you thinking of a career in dance then?

A: Never. It was just for fun. I didn’t know there were shows like this.

Q: What were you doing when the Aruba offer came?

A: I was working at a modeling and acting studio. I taught for them and I traveled and did trunk shows – bridal shows and things like that. I also did accounting for a jewelry store and also for a couple of (retail) kiosks. … I took dance classes but I really wasn’t focused on getting dancing jobs. The Aruba thing just happened.

Q: You’ve been in “Jubilee!” for about 12 years. What wows you about the show?

A: They swing us out sometimes and let us watch (from the audience) because, backstage, you forget what it really looks like. I was watching, and I forgot how big the sets are and how huge the stage is. And the costumes!

Q: When you’re sitting in the audience, are you ever tempted to poke the person next to you in the arm and say, “Hey, I’m in that!”

A: We were in one of the back rows, so there wasn’t anyone there. (Laughs) But I was yelling a lot, and they’re, like, “Shut up!”