Georgina Pazcoguin
Photo © Paul Kolnik
Georgina Pazcoguin is an audience favorite at New York City Ballet due to her striking stage presence. She is especially known for her interpretations of roles in Jerome Robbins' ballets. Now she has taken a leave of absence from her life as a ballerina to jump into the role of Victoria in the much anticipated revival of Broadway's Cats. In a recent conversation Pazcoguin reflected on her career path which has been edited below. Cats is currently in previews and opens on August 2nd at the Neil Simon Theater.
Andrew Blackmore-Dobbyn: One of the first things I noticed about you on stage with City Ballet is that you have a really strong sense of character. Do you think that has limited you since you have been cast in so many character and demi-character roles?
Georgina Pazcoguin: It's an interesting question. I don't feel like it has been a hindrance. I think it's a very special thing to be able to create different characters. I'm honored that they think I can step into those roles. I do feel that there are very few people at New York City Ballet that have the capacity to do those roles. I take the glass half full perspective of it in that they think of me as one of those people who can do both. Of course I'd love to dance more. When those opportunities are given to me I try to make the very most of them that I possibly can. I don't think of it as a hindrance. I think that any chance to experience a different facet of myself helps me grow as a person and I'm continuing to break down that initial thought that may be held that Georgina is more of a character actor than she is a dancer. I'm very much a dancer, too.
You've arrived more or less at the mid-point of your career... what are your favorite accomplishments so far?
I'm just so very grateful to have had the first half that I've had. I'm really proud that I didn't have things handed to me when I was super young. I'm really proud that I've had to work for them. I struggled a lot with comparing myself to other dancers and their career paths and how fast they were getting promoted and what sort of roles they were doing and I think what I'm most proud of, beyond getting promoted, beyond the different accolades that you get, and I'm grateful for those kind of things but I never in a million years thought I would be on the cover of Dance Magazine. I think that is a special honor. At the end of the day, I'm proud that I've kept my head on straight and kept my eye on the real prize which is having a career that is full and spans many different spectrums of dance and that I did this on my own. It took me a long time to get comfortable in my skin as a human. I don't know that I would have had the strength earlier to step away from City Ballet had I been offered something like Cats because it's a very scary decision. I think for a lot of people it's a no-brainer and there is that side to me but it is a scary proposition to step away from something that has been my home for fourteen years. I'm so happy that things have happened with this trajectory with time for me to appreciate being in the corps de ballet and time for me to appreciate those down times so that when the happy times come I can be immensely proud and have no regrets.
Coming into a big company like City Ballet it's easy for a kid to get lost or discouraged. Who did you have to help you along?
A lot of the older dancers in the company were very accepting. My first year in the company, to be honest, they weren't sure how much I fit in and if New York City Ballet was the place for me. I almost didn't get my contract so that was a very tenuous year for me. I remember some senior corps dancers coming up to me right before I had my meeting. This is when Aesha Ash came up and she said, "I have seen you grow so much over this year and you are so special as a dancer and whatever happens, whatever is decided, know that we have all seen you put forth your maximum effort." I just think that there is a wonderful sense of community with the dancers at City Ballet. I was accepted into a group of wonderful friends there who were older and even principal dancers when I was in the corps. Everyone has their own story. It's hard for every single person. This career is not for the faint of heart. Just from hearing their stories I realized that I was not alone. They're not exactly in my situation but if they were able to rise above it, I can too. This is what I want and I'm never going to stop wanting it. I've achieved this much and I still want more but I'm doing that in a realistic sense. I'm not asking for it all right now.
How do you feel about being a role model for Filipino American girls who look up to you?
I think it's an incredible honor and I'm happy to be that sort of representative and I intend to step up to the plate for anyone who doesn't necessarily fit the stereotype of what a ballerina should be. I'm happy to be that role model for them. I never really thought of myself being in that position. I'm just beginning to realize it now that race has become such a highlighted topic in the ballet world today. I never even thought of myself as an ethnicity growing up until I came to New York City. I will gladly accept that role. I hope to be someone that people feel like they can reach out to and ask questions. I don't know all the answers but I can share what I have dealt with. Mostly what I've dealt with has been my own struggles with my limitations and what I've done to myself.
How did Cats come about? Did someone approach you?
I've been reaching out for a while. I'd had the opportunity to perform in On the Town and loved every second of it. I liked the idea of auditioning and getting my name out there and exploring the musical theater side of myself. I got a call from my agent, Lacey, who said Tara Rubin Casting called and wanted to know if you're interested in coming in and auditioning for Cats. I was like, wow! My name came up in a conversation about Cats. That in itself was enough... that my name had come up. Lacey told me that it would mean a leave of absence from NYC Ballet and said I know you've struggled so hard to get to the position you're in there as a soloist and I said, I'm open. If they want me to come in, I absolutely will make it happen. We thought it wasn't going to work out because my schedule was really heavy and I was on stage more than I'd ever been. A few dancers had gotten injured and I went into Paz de la Jolla in the principal role. I was going to Cats auditions in the morning, taking early dance classes and rehearsing in the afternoons. At one point I thought, if this is supposed to be, fate will make it be. I didn't stress about it. I was absolutely delighted when I got the call and they wanted me to play Victoria.
How has it been preparing the show?
They have an open mind about me. They don't necessarily know me as a strong dancer for the last fourteen years like New York City Ballet does. I'm being looked at with a fresh eye. I'm loving Victoria as a character. She's innocent and pure and I'm not playing an evil person who's plotting against someone else. I get to do adagio on stage instead of grand allegro as a solo. These are new things for me and very exciting. I get to explore a softer side of myself as a dancer and performer.
Is the show being re-choreographed?
It's a blend so it's Cats based on Gillian Lynne's original choreography and then Andy Blankenbuehler has been brought on to the project to add his specific, wonderful point of view. I think they're trying to... you have to keep in mind that audiences have changed since Cats ran. Dance has changed. I think it's a great idea to update it while keeping the heart of what people know and love still there.
What has Cats taught you about yourself as a performing artist?
It's a little early to say what kind of evolution I'm having. I'm learning that being uncomfortable is okay.
Have you given any thought to what you might be interested in when you're ready to stop dancing?
It's a little known fact that I have my real estate license and when I bought my apartment in 2012 I fell in love with the architecture of the city. I explore that in my down time and I would love to have a chance to go back to school. Had I not decided on a dance career I think I would have chosen something in the sciences. My dad is a retired surgeon, my brothers are pharmacists, my brother Joe is a major in the Army. Right now, real estate would be next for me while I go to school to pursue something like becoming a doctor. There's time for that. But I don't intend to stop dancing any time soon.