movmnt.com has an exclusive interview with Rasta Thomas, performer and Director of Bad Boys of Dance. The new company is about to perform in New Jersey and Maryland at the end of January. BBoD haven’t performed since its launch last summer at Jacob’s Pillow. Thomas shares his thoughts and expectation for his company and for himself as an artist in transition to become an entrepreneur within the entertainment word.
movmnt: Bad Boys of Dance is about to perform in Maryland and New Jersey. What has changed/improved since you first performed last summer at Jacob’s Pillow?
Rasta Thomas: A lot. All stemming from having an even better understanding of what is needed to make Bad Boys of Dance an unstoppable force in the dance world. We have added 4 new works to the program and launched a sister company, Pretty Girls of Dance, to add even more excitement and variety to the company.
movmnt: Any new performers joined the company?
RT: This time around we are bigger and better bringing more of the hottest young dancers in the world today to a theater near you. We have with us Craig DeRosa, Anthony Colantone and Albert Cattafi… along with returning favorites Robbie Nicholson, Martin and Facundo Lombard and myself. I have chosen the new artists because they are strong enough to handle the demands of the rep, they look great doing it, and are great people.
movmnt: How did you handle the reviews and critics sometimes constructive, sometimes not, published in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal among others?
RT: With a coke and a smile. After all, they are critics… I was happy with our review from the Times. I have come to expect them to criticize. If they loved everything they saw, they wouldn’t have a job. I am simply flattered that they feel what I am doing is worth criticizing.
movmnt: How are your feelings as Artistic Director, being both on and off stage? What kind of stress do you feel if any?
RT: There is definitely much more stress involved with being an AD and a dancer, than just a dancer… but it comes with the territory. The responsibility of being in charge has never been easy. However, at the same time, the pay off is much greater and sweeter.
movmnt: What ambition do you have for the Bad Boys of Dance?
RT: To take the world by storm by creating shows that entertain, inspire, and educate the masses of today. And to bring a whole new appreciation of what dancing is.
movmnt: Adrienne Canterna, your wife, and you just had a baby girl, congratulations. Is this the reason why you are already added a little sister to BBoD with Pretty Girls of Dance?
RT: That is definitely why. Even though we are two different people, we are a family with the same wishes and ambitions as artists and it is only fair to share them with each other. These are two hot and fresh companies filled with America’s best young dancers. Adrienne and I want to share dance with the world, one show at a time.
movmnt: What is next for you?
RT: So much. I have just launched the 2008 Video Dance Awards and revamped the world’s first online dance competition, DiVA ( Dance International Video Awards.)
Bad boys of Dance performances:
- Saturday January 26th in New Jersey at Kean University,Union, NJ (wilkintheatre.com for box office)
- Sunday January 27th in Maryland at Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park, MD (chesapeakearts.org for tickets)
badboysofdance.com
prettygirlsofdance.com
rastathomaspresents.com