A LIFE ON STAGE

Dancer & Former Professional Entertainer | Los Angeles

Jamelae Bellizzi has spent nearly a century carrying dance, performance, and creativity through every stage of her life.

Filmed at her home in Los Angeles around her 96th birthday, this short documentary follows Jamelae as she looks back on growing up in New Orleans, beginning dance lessons at six years old, and eventually spending years on the road as a professional entertainer.

Jamelae reflects on the confidence she found through performance, the choices that shaped her life, and the importance of holding onto the things that make you feel most like yourself.

The film also revisits parts of her performance history, including her early dance and acrobatics training, nine years touring professionally, family photographs, and the memories she still carries from a life connected to the stage.

About Jamelae Bellizzi

Jamelae Bellizzi was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1930 and began taking dance lessons at six years old.

She later trained in dance, acrobatics, and juggling before spending nine years performing professionally on the road. After leaving touring behind, she built a life across different careers while continuing to carry her connection to performance, creativity, and the stage with her.

At 96, she still speaks about dance as something that helped shape her confidence, identity, and way of moving through life.

The Film

Featuring: Jamelae Bellizzi
Location: Los Angeles, California
Filmed, directed & edited by: Valentine Di Marco

A What a Life short documentary.