French International Alum John Mays Dances from French International to the Big Screen

From performing in the middle school musical to sharing the screen with Margot Robbie, John Mays has been dancing his way toward big dreams since his time at French International. Now based in Los Angeles, John recently appeared as a featured dancer in the film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, an experience he calls a “pinch me moment.”

“It was my first movie,” John said. “Getting to work with people that I knew and other dancers I looked up to, that was crazy. Definitely a ‘wow, I’m here’ moment.”

After graduating from Lincoln High School as valedictorian in 2022, John moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance. He trains and works in tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dance, and also teaches tap classes. His big break came through a connection with renowned choreographer Galen Hooks, whom he first met while auditioning for So You Think You Can Dance in Atlanta.

“[Galen Hooks] happened to be the same choreographer that did the movie,” John explained. “A month later, she hosted a masterclass in L.A., and she remembered me from So You Think [You Can Dance]. Two months after that, I got the call for the movie audition. I was like, ‘Whoa, this is my moment.’”

Filming A Big Bold Beautiful Journey was a major milestone for John.

“In all the other jobs I had done up to this point, I was the only dancer hired,” he said. “But this was group dancing in a big production movie. When Colin Farrell joined rehearsals and I looked to my left, I was like, ‘What? Colin right next to me?’ It was absolutely surreal.”

Despite his growing career, John remains deeply connected to his roots, and he credits French International with shaping his work ethic and creative foundation.

“The middle school and elementary school really set you up to be a good student,” he said. “Being set up as a good student, knowing how to take a class and be prepared, translates so much as a dancer. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments saying I’m a good student in class, and I owe a lot of that to school.”

John reflected on the teachers who influenced him at French International, including Julie Duffield, who helped him discover an unexpected appreciation for math, and David Olson and Coach Ron, who gave him his first opportunities to coach and teach.

“When I choreographed the [eighth-grade] hip hop dance for classmates who had never danced before, that was so fun,” John said. “And of course, the musical we did, Fame, that was a lot of fun too.”

For current students dreaming of creative careers, John offers this advice:

“The school gives so many creative opportunities in every class,” he said. “Take advantage of them. Feed that creative drive and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Being a creative means living a creative life, so keep exploring and be unapologetically you.”

John’s next project is a live show later this year in Los Angeles.