BIG RAPIDS — Kitwana “Kit” Clark, a former Ferris State University football player, has transitioned to a career as a professional dancer, appearing alongside Kendrick Lamar in two Super Bowl halftime shows. As Super Bowl LX approaches this Sunday, Clark is reflecting on his journey from a star running back in West Michigan to performing with multi-platinum musical artists.
Clark played football for Kenowa Hills High School and Ferris State before graduating in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. He moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue dance full-time, landing his first major music video role within a week of his arrival. The transition from the football field to the stage was aided by the physical discipline he developed as a collegiate athlete. Clark has since performed at Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and Super Bowl LIX in 2025.Clark was recognized as one of West Michigan’s premier running backs while playing for Kenowa Hills High School more than 15 years ago. During his four-year varsity career, he was named All-Conference on multiple occasions and received Grand Rapids Press All-Area Dream Team honors. Though he drew attention from NCAA Division I scouts, he said his grades prevented him from competing at that level.
Through a connection between his high school coach and Ferris State head coach Tony Annese, Clark received a scholarship to play for the Bulldogs. Clark said he chose to join the program as it was being rebuilt into a collegiate powerhouse. “Hands down the best moment was being part of a team that built history, that has now led to the success Ferris State has today,” Clark said. “I was part of the very first class that Annese brought in once he took over the head coach position. Experiencing first-hand what it took to turn around a team that only won a few games in recent seasons to becoming conference champions- we put in so much to create a program of great athletes and personalities. Ferris was great to me.”While studying at Ferris State, Clark discovered a talent for dance by imitating music videos at family gatherings and school talent shows. He never took formal dance classes while growing up, but his first professional opportunity arrived when a friend asked him to submit a freestyle audition video.
“Dance found its way in my heart when I was blessed with an opportunity by a friend who was already professionally dancing,” Clark said. “She said an extra guy was needed and told me to make a freestyle video to send in as an audition. It helped me book the job at Ford Field in front of 50,000 people, which was my first professional dance job.”
Following his graduation from Ferris State in 2017, Clark moved to Los Angeles in March 2018 to focus on his dance career. He noted that years of disciplined weight room training in football helped him adapt to the physical demands of professional dance. Within one week of his move, he landed a role in a music video for Nicki Minaj.
Clark said he initially struggled to understand how to turn a talent into a stable career. “I always knew about dance being entertainment, that’s a part of black culture,” Clark said. “I just didn’t know how far you could go with it by finding a career and stability while creating a life around it. I still was in love with football, but my coaches could tell I started phasing in and out of it.”
His professional credits include a year-long stint in Australia performing in “Channing Tatum Presents: Magic Mike Live.” Clark has also performed with artists such as Toni Braxton, Kelly Rowland and SZA. He cited SZA as his favorite artist to work with because of her genuine personality.
“I never get used to it,” Clark said regarding working with major artists. “I still get butterflies every time I can work with an artist, but to me I don’t look at it as idolizing; I look at it as inspiration.”Clark worked with Lamar during a 2021 show in Las Vegas before joining him for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022 and Super Bowl LIX in 2025. He said the 2025 performance was particularly meaningful as it took place during a high point in Lamar’s career and helped Clark secure a spot on tour with SZA.
“This was at Kendrick’s highest moment of his career as a solo artist and to be a part of it- there’s not many of us that can say that,” Clark said. “Coming off the last Super Bowl I did with him made it (2025) that just more special… God is so good. I was blessed to book both and it was a long process.”
Clark recently relocated to Houston, Texas, to expand his career. He continues to teach dance classes both domestically and internationally while assisting with press tours for “Magic Mike Live.” He previously assisted with choreography for Jennifer Lopez and a 2024 music video for Tinashe.
Clark said he intends to move into acting, specifically in dance-focused films. His primary long-term goal is to work as a choreographer and creative director for television and film productions. Clark also expressed a desire to collaborate with Ferris State in the future. “College is great place to learn about yourself, but it’s not a place where you need to have it all figured out,” Clark said. “I encourage people to take the time to learn the things you like to do and enjoy the people you find yourself gravitating toward.”
His professional credits include a year-long stint in Australia performing in “Channing Tatum Presents: Magic Mike Live.” Clark has also performed with artists such as Toni Braxton, Kelly Rowland and SZA. He cited SZA as his favorite artist to work with because of her genuine personality.
“I never get used to it,” Clark said regarding working with major artists. “I still get butterflies every time I can work with an artist, but to me I don’t look at it as idolizing; I look at it as inspiration.”
Clark worked with Kendrick Lamar during a 2021 show in Las Vegas before joining him for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022 and Super Bowl LIX in 2025. He said the 2025 performance was particularly meaningful as it took place during a high point in Lamar’s career and helped Clark secure a spot on tour with SZA.
“This was at Kendrick’s highest moment of his career as a solo artist, and to be a part of it- there’s not many of us that can say that,” Clark said. “Coming off the last Super Bowl I did with him made it (2025) that just more special… God is so good. I was blessed to book both and it was a long process.”
Clark recently relocated to Houston, Texas, to expand his career. He continues to teach dance classes both domestically and internationally while assisting with press tours for “Magic Mike Live.” He previously assisted with choreography for Jennifer Lopez and a 2024 music video for Tinashe.
Clark said he intends to move into acting, specifically in dance-focused films. His primary long-term goal is to work as a choreographer and creative director for television and film productions.
Clark also expressed a desire to collaborate with Ferris State in the future. “College is great place to learn about yourself, but it’s not a place where you need to have it all figured out,” Clark said. “I encourage people to take the time to learn the things you like to do and enjoy the people you find yourself gravitating towards.”