Karen Hauer Steps into the Spotlight for a Feel-Good Revival of Stepping Out
Best known as the longest-serving female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, Karen Hauer is returning to the stage in a brand-new revival of Richard Harris’s award-winning comedy, Stepping Out.
The much-loved professional dancer will play Mavis Turner, the teacher of an enthusiastic but inexperienced group of amateur tap dancers, in the joyful touring production.
“I’m so pleased to be performing in this brand-new production of Stepping Out,” Karen says. “I’m really 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 stage.”
For Karen, the role feels particularly fitting.
“It’s a play about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things through dance,” she explains. “In the role of their teacher and mentor, it certainly resonates with me.”
Karen Hauer’s Strictly Come Dancing Highlights
Celebrated for her magnetic stage presence and expressive artistry, Karen brings technical precision, power and emotional storytelling to every performance.
The former World Mambo Champion has demonstrated her versatility across an extensive range of dance styles, captivating audiences on both stage and screen throughout her career.
Karen joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2012 and quickly became a firm favourite with viewers. After appearing on the BBC entertainment show for 14 years, she earned the distinction of becoming its longest-serving female professional dancer.
Asked to choose her favourite moments from the programme, Karen says the personal journeys of her celebrity partners are what remain most memorable.
“It’s impossible to pick just a few because every series brings memorable moments,” she says. “But often, it’s the personal journeys that stay with me most. Watching someone arrive with little confidence and leave believing in themselves is incredibly rewarding.”
Dancing with Strictly’s Celebrity Stars
Karen’s Strictly journey began when she was paired with Westlife singer Nicky Byrne. The couple danced their way to the quarter-finals during her first series.
Two years later, she reached the final with The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright. She also enjoyed a memorable run with Made in Chelsea personality Jamie Laing.
During her time on the programme, Karen was partnered with a wide range of well-known faces, including singer Will Young, footballer Paul Merson, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, television chef Simon Rimmer and actors Greg Wise and Charles Venn.
Her other celebrity partners included comedians Chris Ramsey, Jayde Adams and Eddie Kadi.
“I’ve been lucky to dance with many wonderful celebrity partners over the years, each bringing something unique to the experience,” Karen says. “What I treasure most are the friendships and trust that we build throughout the process.”
Reflecting on her record as the programme’s longest-serving female professional, she adds: “It’s something I feel enormously grateful for. To be part of a show that has become such a beloved institution is a privilege, and I’m proud to have grown alongside it.”
Working with Jennifer Lopez
Beyond Strictly Come Dancing, Karen has enjoyed considerable success as a competitive dancer, performer and choreographer.
Her career has given her the opportunity to work with some of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, including Jennifer Lopez.
“Working with Jennifer Lopez was an incredible experience,” Karen reveals. “She is the definition of professionalism, talent and hard work.”
“Being around someone operating at that level teaches you a lot about discipline and commitment to your craft. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with a number of talented performers and artists, and every collaboration has taught me something different.”
She adds: “What always stands out is that the most successful people are often the hardest-working people in the room.”
The Physical and Emotional Power of Dance
For Karen, dance is about far more than performance. She believes movement can have a powerful effect on physical health, emotional wellbeing and self-confidence.
“Dance is one of the few activities that engages the body, mind and emotions all at once,” she explains. “Physically, it improves strength, balance, coordination and cardiovascular health.”
“Mentally, it helps reduce stress, boosts confidence and encourages people to be present in the moment.”
Karen has witnessed first-hand how dance can support people through difficult periods in their lives.
“I’ve seen how dance can help people overcome anxiety, build resilience and reconnect with themselves,” she says. “It gives people a sense of achievement, community and joy, which is something we all need more of.”
Venezuelan Roots and New York Beginnings
Born in Venezuela, Karen moved to New York City at the age of eight. She later won a scholarship to the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, where she studied for 10 years.
She continued her training at New York’s High School of Performing Arts, specialising in ballet and contemporary dance. Her achievements were recognised with the Helen Tamiris Award for Excellence in Dance.
“Venezuela will always be an important part of who I am,” Karen says. “My upbringing and culture shaped so much of my personality, my love of music and my passion for dance.”
“I still value those connections deeply and cherish opportunities to reconnect with family and my heritage whenever possible.”
New York also played an essential role in her development as a dancer and performer.
“I have strong ties to New York, which was such an important chapter in my life and career,” she adds.
From World Mambo Champion to the Strictly Ballroom
Karen’s international career includes being crowned World Mambo Champion in 2008 and reaching the finals of So You Think You Can Dance USA.
Her performances showcased her versatility across jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, ballroom and Latin dance styles.
Karen came to the UK in 2010 as part of the international stage production Burn the Floor. She made her first appearance on the famous Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor two years later.
Her time on the programme also gave her the opportunity to work with the show’s late presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth and former head judge Len Goodman, whom she describes as “incredible legends”.
Burn the Floor, Firedance and Speakeasy
Karen’s theatrical career has taken her around the world.
She performed a principal role in the original Broadway cast of Burn the Floor, touring extensively across the United States, Europe, Asia, Australasia and South Africa.
In 2022, she created and starred in Firedance, an explosive theatrical production combining dance with live fire performances.
Featuring fire specialists and fellow former Strictly professional Gorka Márquez, the production was inspired by Romeo and Juliet and included tango, Argentine tango, samba and salsa.
“Gorka and I dance well together, and there was a real Fred and Ginger feel to it,” Karen says. “It was fresh, exciting and sexy and featured our favourite dances.”
The production returned in 2023 as Firedance Reignite, an expanded show featuring greater scale, intensity and on-stage fireworks.
In 2025, Karen co-produced and starred in Speakeasy, an immersive production blending dance, vintage glamour, nightlife culture and cinematic storytelling.
Karen Hauer on the Big Screen
Karen’s screen credits include appearing as a dancer in Wicked and performing in Nick Winston’s movie musical Tomorrow Morning.
She has also contributed to RuPaul’s Drag Race and a variety of other creative projects across television and film.
Her ability to move between live theatre, television, film and immersive performance has helped establish her as one of the most versatile dancers of her generation.
Building Confidence Through Hauer Power
Alongside her performance career, Karen is a certified personal trainer and the creator of Hauer Power, a fitness platform designed to inspire strength, discipline and confidence through movement.
The programme focuses on mobility, balance and core strength, while encouraging participants to stretch and exercise with a dancer’s approach.
Karen created Hauer Power around her belief that movement should be accessible, empowering and enjoyable.
“It’s about helping people build confidence through fitness, dance and wellbeing rather than focusing purely on appearance,” she explains.
“The community aspect is incredibly important to me. I want people to feel supported, encouraged and inspired, regardless of their age, experience or fitness level.”
Karen Hauer Takes the Lead in Stepping Out
In the new production of Stepping Out, Karen plays Mavis, the teacher of a weekly dance class filled with enthusiastic but rather hapless amateur tap dancers.
The role was played by Liza Minnelli in the 1991 film adaptation. Tamzin Outhwaite later portrayed Mavis during the previous nationwide stage tour.
“I am thrilled to be playing the role of Mavis in this joyful, funny and deeply human story about finding confidence, connection and a little bit of magic through dance,” Karen says.
A Toe-Tapping, Feel-Good Comedy
Audiences can expect an uplifting production filled with humour, heart, music and movement.
“Stepping Out is all about celebrating movement, connection and the joy of dance,” Karen explains.
“You can expect an uplifting, entertaining experience filled with energy, storytelling and plenty of inspiration.”
She adds that the production is designed to appeal to audiences regardless of their experience with dance.
“Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or someone who has never stepped onto a dancefloor, it’s a reminder that dance belongs to everyone.”
“At its heart, it’s about bringing people together and showing how transformative movement can be. I can’t wait to bring Mavis to life and share it with you all.”
What Is Stepping Out About?
Richard Harris’s cheerful comedy follows a group of mismatched amateur tap dancers as they prepare to perform at a charity gala.
Mavis runs a weekly tap class in a draughty church hall for a group of enthusiastic but decidedly inexperienced dancers.
Among them are the shy, the anxious, the outspoken and the overconfident, each with their own personality and reasons for attending the class.
As the group prepares for its public performance, tensions rise, friendships form and hidden talents begin to emerge.
Under Mavis’s patient guidance, what starts as a series of mistakes and mishaps gradually develops into something extraordinary.
The touching comedy celebrates friendship, confidence and the ability of ordinary people to achieve remarkable things when they work together.
Director Chris Jordan Welcomes Karen to the Cast
The production is directed by Chris Jordan, who describes Stepping Out as a funny and touching story about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.
“I am absolutely delighted to have Karen joining us for Stepping Out this summer,” he says. “We’re going to have so much fun, as are our audiences.”
Jordan believes Karen’s years of teaching and mentoring celebrity partners on Strictly Come Dancing make her an ideal choice for the role.
“Karen is such a well-loved dancer from her years working on Strictly as a teacher and mentor to so many different partners,” he explains. “That is why this role, in this play, is such a great fit for her.”
Countryside Life and Time Away from the Stage
Away from the spotlight, Karen enjoys a quieter life in the countryside with her husband and their much-loved rescue dogs.
“Life in the countryside gives me balance,” she says. “My career can be fast-paced and demanding, so having space, fresh air and time with my rescue dogs helps me slow down and recharge.”
“The dogs keep me grounded and remind me to appreciate the simple things, whether that’s a long walk, a quiet morning or simply being outdoors.”
Supporting Nature, Sustainability and Animal Welfare
Karen is passionate about nature and believes everyone can make choices that contribute to a more sustainable future.
“I care deeply about nature and believe we all have a responsibility to protect it,” she says.
“I try to make mindful choices in my daily life, whether that’s reducing waste, being conscious of consumption, supporting sustainable businesses or spending more time appreciating the natural world around me.”
For Karen, positive change is about consistent progress rather than perfection.
“Small actions matter. No one person can solve everything, but collectively, our choices have a huge impact.”
“If we each make a few positive changes, those efforts add up.”
Karen also supports causes connected to animal welfare, rescue organisations and initiatives that help people improve their mental and physical wellbeing through movement and community.
“There are so many incredible charities doing meaningful work, and I always encourage people to support causes that resonate personally with them,” she says.
Helping People Discover Confidence, Joy and Freedom
Looking ahead, Karen plans to continue developing Hauer Power while exploring new creative projects that unite dance, storytelling and wellbeing.
“I’m excited to continue growing Hauer Power, developing new opportunities to help people move and feel their best, and exploring creative projects that combine dance, storytelling and wellbeing,” she reveals.
“I’m always looking for ways to inspire people to connect with themselves through movement.”
“Whatever comes next, it will involve helping people discover the confidence, joy and freedom that dance and movement can bring.”
Stepping Out UK Tour Dates 2026
Karen Hauer and the cast of Stepping Out will begin the tour in Eastbourne before visiting Southend, Fareham and Bromley.
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
13–29 August 2026
Palace Theatre, Southend
1–5 September 2026
Fareham Live, Fareham
15–19 September 2026
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
22–26 September 2026
Audiences are invited to tap their troubles away with Karen and the rest of the cast in this heart-warming celebration of friendship, confidence and the joy of dance.