119: Bringing Dance to America’s Heartland — Gil Boggs

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Gil Boggs, Artistic Director at</span> <a href="https://coloradoballet.org/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Colorado Ballet</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Boggs began his career with the Atlanta Ballet before joining American Ballet Theatre, where he served a remarkable 17-year tenure. Boggs has also performed with the Twyla Tharp Dance Company, Baryshnikov and Company, Nureyev and Friends, and has made several guest appearances around the world.</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Boggs has also presented 15 world premieres and 15 Colorado Ballet premieres by renowned choreographers such as Twyla Tharp and Lar Lubovitch.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the outset, Gil has been in love the state of Colorado. Having lived and worked in the New York City area for decades, a move to America’s heartland was a welcome change. However, from the outset, Gil had to overcome some serious hurdles — not the least of which was leading the company out of its financial struggle. But, because of some grit and determination, Gil did just that. On the podcast, he tells his whole story, including dancing with some of the world’s brightest and best, being in a single company for 17 years, and more. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Moving Quotes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"With my staff, we are nurturing dancers. We're not telling them what's wrong and that you have to do this and you have to do that. We are collaborating with these people and getting the best out of them."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"People ask me, 'What does it take to get into a company?' You have to be confident. You have to show confidence in yourself... And find inspiration in what you're doing, and you'll grow quickly."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[On dancing with American Ballet Theatre] "The choreographers that came through. The rep that cam