A hometown foundation for Hollywood success

When L.A.-based film director Dan Watt produced his 2024 Emmy-winning documentary “Everybody Dance,“ which follows the journey of five children with disabilities learning ballet, it was his own journey starting right here in Northeast Ohio that laid the foundation for his career in the arts.

A graduate of Brunswick High School, Dan studied dance at Dee Hillier Dance Studio in Strongsville in the 1970s. As a teenager, he performed at the Greenbrier Theatre (now Cassidy Theatre) and the Front Row Theater, experiences that deepened his love of performance. He also worked behind the scenes as an usher and waiter at the Palace Theatre and State Theatre, absorbing every aspect of the arts before moving to Los Angeles in 1982 to pursue his dream.

Decades later, those early connections remain central to his life. “My dearest friends today are still from that amazing dance family and community,” Dan says.

That sense of community also shaped the heart of “Everybody Dance.“

“I didn’t set out to do a film about kids with disabilities,“ he says. “My initial goal was to make a film about how important the arts are to everyone and, even if you don’t make a profession out of it, how everyone can benefit from the arts. When I stumbled upon Ballet for All Kids, an all-inclusive studio that accepts students of all levels and capabilities, I thought, 'this is my story.'”

The film offers an intimate look at the everyday lives of kids with autism, cerebral palsy and different disabilities as they prepare for a recital under the guidance of a remarkable dance teacher. 

“The arts are a great equalizer—giving everyone a sense of feeling in control, confident and belonging,” says Dan, who is currently in production on his next project—a docuseries called “In Her Shoes: Women of Dance.”

“The arts show how we are all unique in our own way but also all similar.”

“Though winning the Emmy award was amazing, what touches my heart more is that people with disabilities have given it great reviews and have thanked me for making this film,” Dan says. “I encourage everyone to follow their dreams and not give up. At the age of 53, after working at Columbia Pictures for five years in film development and then with Simon Cowell at SYCO for five years prior, I decided to branch out on my own as an independent film producer and focus on stories I felt needed to be told that explore the human experience, humanity, spirituality and social issues. Who knew I’d win an Emmy for my first documentary?”

Although Dan has lived in Los Angeles for four decades, he credits his Midwestern roots for his success in Hollywood.

“In Ohio, I was taught a work ethic that shaped me into the man I am today,” he says, noting that many of his film crews come from Midwestern states and share similar values. “Show up on time, work hard and help others was what I was raised on, and it served me well, both then and now.”

Now with an Emmy in hand, Dan’s story comes full circle—proof that a creative journey rooted in Northeast Ohio can resonate on a national stage, inspiring audiences and reminding us of the transformative power of the arts.

Watch the Emmy-winning film “Everybody Dance” on Prime Video, Fandango, Tubi and YouTube.