As a child, when it got here to bop, So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Winner Gaby Diaz wished to “try everything.” Tap grew to become her major type, however she studied many extensively. In some ways, that broad curiosity hasn’t left her; now, years later, she’s rehearsing to star on this planet premiere musical, Only Gold, a narrative about coming to phrases with one’s deepest truths and letting one’s coronary heart prepared the ground. Musics and lyrics are by Kate Nash (Netflix’s GLOW), with guide (together with Ted Malawer), course and choreography from Andy Blankenbuehler.
It’s her first time performing professionally in musical theater. That’s an enormous leap, and one which might be nerve-wracking for almost anybody and everybody. In the face of that problem, Diaz is bringing an angle of simply exhibiting up and getting the job executed to the perfect of her capacity, and of staying each open and intentional in the case of making key artistic selections.
Dance Informa speaks with Diaz about her time on So You Think You Can Dance, working with Blankenbuehler, the place she is now on her artistic path and rather more.
When did you begin dancing, and when do you know it was one thing that you just love? What, particularly, drew you to faucet?
“I began dancing at two years outdated. My older sister was in courses, and as quickly as I used to be potty-trained, I used to be in courses as nicely! From then on, I wasn’t actually keen on specializing in anyone type; I wished to attempt all doable genres. I assumed that if I do this, I’ll by no means be bored!
But I additionally discovered my method to faucet. It was simply in my blood. My dad was a percussionist, and I’ve an ear for percussion. Tap change into my connection to my dad, and to percussion and musicality. It got here fairly naturally to me, which does characterize my relationship to bop generally. Yes, I prepare and work exhausting – however, to a sure extent, I feel that [dance] is simply in you.
When I acquired older, I acquired launched to competitors and in addition went to an arts college. I used to be confused as to what I must be doing, with many different influences round me. I considered veering away from faucet and towards extra competitors, however my mother was adamant about me sticking with my ‘why.’
She informed me to not permit myself to be influenced by what I noticed as ‘successful.’ She inspired my curiosity, but additionally let me know that it was not the time to pigeonhole myself. It’s by no means actually a good time to pigeonhole your self, however if you’re younger is the most secure time so that you can attempt new issues and discover your factor. There’s much less time to try this if you grow old and there are deadlines. And there’s a distinction between affect and inspiration, of becoming a member of one thing that already exists versus permitting one thing to form what’s actually your personal.”
What have been a few of your favourite elements of being on So You Think You Can Dance, and what have been among the most difficult points?
“So You Think You Can Dance first got here on after I was 9 or 10 years outdated. It was my dream to be on it, and the primary particular objective I had that I may examine off on a listing. It was bodily demanding, however I used to be simply so, so pleased to be there.
I’ll say that the fact present facet of the present was difficult, the way you form of change into a persona. There’s a vulnerability to letting cameras in in your life. The present has created a form of dancer superstar tradition that we hadn’t seen earlier than, which has been fantastic within the sense that present contestants have been in a position to change into enterprise individuals in their very own proper.
There was additionally a extremely difficult psychological facet, in that all the nation was voting. But the producer was all the time nice about saying that you just’re not being voted towards; it’s simply that some contestants are being voted for to go to the following spherical.
With all of that, nevertheless, all that I used to be targeted on was embracing each minute that I used to be there as a result of it was simply such a dream. Also, there was no time to consider it an excessive amount of – it’s a stay present, the cameras are rolling, and in between items we had fast modifications! The mentorship program was extremely useful as nicely, to be mentored by former contestants – who had been via the entire expertise – and to be a mentor to contestants myself, to move that on.”
What’s it been wish to shift into a serious musical theater position?
“I’ve by no means professionally executed a musical earlier than! I don’t suppose we ever actually know who we’re – however as I’ve grown, I’ve realized extra about my strengths, as a mover and as a bodily storyteller.
When the method began, I used to be clear about my lack of expertise with voice and appearing as storytelling, however that I used to be additionally able to put my all into it. I’m open to being weak and never considering an excessive amount of in regards to the stakes. I do know that [this show] just isn’t going to make or break me as a bodily storyteller.
I’m not going to return at it with a need to please or with stress. I do know that that’s simply not going to work – particularly via voice, as a result of viewers members would hear it in my voice! I really feel safety and possession over what I’ve to supply within the room. That helps me in these moments after I really feel bare and weak singing and appearing.”
What’s it been wish to work with Andy Blankenbuehler?
“Andy has been dreaming this undertaking up for years. It’s my first time working with him. A buddy linked me with him, and we began speaking about working collectively. He trusts me lots, which I admire. At this stage of my profession and life, I’m not keen on being micro-managed. I’m keen on being engaged as a collaborator. But I additionally know that I’m there to assist carry his imaginative and prescient to life. He trusts me to make these choices that he doesn’t have time to make…as a result of this present is a beast!
Andy is extremely passionate in regards to the present, and the way I may help is simply to maintain myself and do the job that I’m there to do – as a result of he’s acquired lots else to fret about. There are 1,000,000 little particulars, however I attempt to not fear about that above and past doing my job. Every day in rehearsal, there’s 1,000,000 questions for everybody. It comes all the way down to, ‘Is this the best choice that we can make in this moment?’
It all comes from a spot of ardour, and never even about if the present might be ‘successful’ – however to have the hours of exhausting work appreciated, and to exhale and see that we’ve made one thing stunning. You simply can’t be intimidated. I can’t be within the room determined to please.”
I like the ethos of Only Gold – about following your coronary heart and re-writing your truths – and in addition the central place of motion throughout the story. With each that message and the significance of a shared language of motion, how do you suppose the story may converse to what we collectively face at the moment?
“It’s a message that you could’t reiterate sufficient. And there’s one thing so visceral about watching individuals transfer and sharing their fact via motion. Andy has been a dancer, earlier than he was a choreographer, earlier than he was a director. He sees how motion can empower all of that. This is now his alternative to completely embrace, and reply solely to, his need and his imaginative and prescient.
And sure, we’re definitely not skimping on motion on this present; everybody’s dancing their coronary heart out. It looks like daily we’re doing the unattainable. When you’re this near one thing, it’s exhausting to have perspective, however I do know that there’ll be a second after we can step again and really admire what we’ve made.
It means one thing completely different to everybody within the room, however we’re all coming collectively and agreeing that it’s necessary. We’re going to point out up daily and work exhausting. People may have their opinions about it, issues might be written about it, however I hope that we always remember these moments of it coming collectively and what that’s meant.”
What’s subsequent for you? What steps would you wish to take subsequent? What challenges would you wish to tackle?
“I’ve been having this dialog lots these days, truly! So You Think was so, so large. At 19, it was a reckoning. Ever since then, after I set a really particular objective, I get pulled elsewhere.
The self-discipline and the order I had after I was rising up was useful. But past that, it’s like, okay, now I did that, now I’ve afforded the suitable to do what I wish to do. And if I determine to do it, then I’m accountable. I can’t be depressing, as a result of nobody is making do me it.
I had an incredible leaping off level with So You Think. I feel a part of why I wished to do the present was to be on this place the place these doorways have been opened, in order that I can management what I do and my relationship with my artwork. So, I’ve form of shifted my objectives to energetic objectives. For instance, I perceive that dance may not all the time make up my earnings. I don’t wish to come from a spot of ‘I need this,’ of desperation. So, to be sincere, I actually don’t know what’s subsequent! I’m simply making the artwork that I wish to make, and it feels nice.”
Only Gold will run via November 27, at NYC’s MCC Theater. For a efficiency schedule and tickets, head to mcctheater.org/tix/calendar.You can comply with Gaby Diaz on Instagram: @itsgabydiaz.
By Kathryn Boland of Dance Informa.
