Karen Hauer has secured her first professional engagement since departing Strictly Come Dancing, where she spent 14 years as the longest-serving female dancer in the programme’s history.
The 44-year-old Venezuelan-American performer will take on the character of Mavis, a tap dance instructor, in a fresh staging of Richard Harris’s comedy Stepping Out.
The production centres on a collection of amateur tap enthusiasts preparing for a charitable performance, with Hauer’s character guiding the group of keen but limited dancers.
News of the theatre role emerges just weeks after Hauer confirmed in March that she would not return for the 2026 series of the BBC One competition, bringing to a close a chapter that began when she joined the show in 2012.
The star will take on the character of Mavis, a tap dance instructor, in a fresh staging of Richard Harris’s comedy Stepping Out
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The revival will embark on a UK theatre tour this summer, opening at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre on August 13 and running until August 29.
Following the seaside run, the production will travel to venues in Southend, Fareham and Bromley.
Mr Harris’s play, which follows eight individuals from varied backgrounds attending a North London tap class, sees the characters form bonds as they work towards a charity showcase.
Ms Hauer shared her excitement on Instagram, describing the project as feeling “really close to my heart” and calling it “a joyful, funny and deeply human story about finding confidence, connection and a little bit of magic through dance.”
Ms Hauer shared the news on Instagram
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She added: “I can’t wait to bring her to life and share it with you all.”
Speaking to WhatsOnStage about the role, Ms Hauer said: “It’s a play about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things through dance, and in the role of their teacher and mentor, it certainly resonates with me!”
The dancer expressed enthusiasm for returning to tap, stating: “I’m looking forward to dusting off my tap shoes and working with a great company of actors and dancers to bring this heart-warming, feel-good comedy to the Devonshire Park stage.”
The part appears particularly fitting given Hauer’s extensive experience mentoring celebrity partners throughout her Strictly tenure, which saw her work with contestants including Mark Wright, Jeremy Vine and Jamie Laing.
Karen Hauer and Aikines-Aryeetey thrilled fans during their partnership last series
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BBC
Her finest result on the BBC programme came in 2020 when she reached the final as runner-up alongside Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing.
Director Chris Jordan voiced his delight at the casting, saying: “I am absolutely delighted to have Ms Karen joining us for Stepping Out this summer. We’re going to have so much fun, as are our audiences.”
He highlighted how her television background made her ideal for the production: “Karen is such a well-loved dancer from her years working on Strictly as teacher and mentor to so many different partners and that is why this role, in this play, is such a great fit for her.”
Ms Hauer’s departure from Strictly was announced through an emotional video message in March, in which she reflected on how the programme “completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher, but as a human being.”
She was among five professional dancers to leave the show this year, alongside Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Marquez.
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