Let's Have a Look at... Graesan Kingsberry
A dancer learns his technique in a class. Without class and good teachers he will fall short. But there is much more to dancing than technique, and that intangible "something else" is what differentiates one dancer from another. Perhaps it is how such artists seamlessly connect impulses from one muscle to another, and then propel them with a bit of soul across a bank of footlights to a waiting audience? Graesan Kingsberry does this effortlessly moving with strong, elongated, fluid lines that quickly catch the viewer's eye. Trained at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York he has emerged with a foot up on his career as a performer. At twenty-three, he is appearing in his third Broadway show "The Color Purple."
Graesan, named after his two grandfathers, Grae and Sandy, is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina taking his place in the Big Apple as a dancer to watch. He was "athlete-bound," in junior high school, destined to become a star in basketball or track with the hurdles as his specialty. At the same time he started to study modern dance. "Because it was easier on my body as I was still playing basketball," he recalled. When the time arrived for him to make a decision between dance and sports, he chose dance. "The likelihood of my becoming a big athlete was slim," he said, no tone of disappointment evident in his voice, "and I just liked dancing and singing too much to give it up."
He started as a child in the North Carolina Dance Theatre production of "Nutcracker." "My Dad was in the show with me," he said, still some degree of disbelief in his voice. "I was a soldier and party child, and he was my father in the cast. I will never forget what a sport he was." Being close to his family he felt his parents were a bit disappointed when he announced he wanted to attend Juillard and pursue a career in the arts. But a determined Graesan made his way to New York, scholarship and acceptance to Juilliard in hand, to begin a successful career as a dancer. "My parents would have liked me to pursue their academic dream for me," Graesan added quietly. "But hey, I will never forget the support they have given me. Nothing thrills me more than to have them in the audience when I dance."
Graesan admits that jobs have come easily to him. "I was never intimated by New York," he said, with life affirming emphasis. "If the audition call reads, 'looking for a black male dancer' I show up, and everyone there looks like me. For an instant, I think 'how am I going to get this job?' Then, I tell myself - 'hey, I can do that,' and I go in and show them who I am. That is how I got into 'Aida' - from an open call. I was blown away when I saw the show, and was determined to be in it."
The lines for the open call audition were around the block when Graesan arrived to audition for "Aida" that morning. They needed one replacement. Only a number, given to him at the door, identified him. "It was a humbling experience," Graesan continued. "One hundred guys at the final call. I didn't know anyone, but I was undaunted. And I got it."
The Juilliard dance department creates and trains dancers for the modern dance concert world. Graesan wanted to fulfill his college requirements, earn his degree, and dance on Broadway. "No one in my family, none of my siblings, had a college degree," he said. "I had to honor my passion for the arts." He took advantage of the opportunity at Juilliard to work with varied choreographers plus take his technique classes all in one place, live in the Lincoln Center area, absorb New York life, and dance in his first Broadway show.
Along came "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" currently running on Broadway, -- his second show. "The pace of 'Dirty Rotten....' was not as physically challenging," Graesan said. "The movement is flowing, soft, elegant, and fun. We are rich residents of the French Riviera, and life is a party for all of us. But as soon as "The Color Purple" was announced I wanted to be part of that project." As in the past, Graesan's path to his goals knew no obstacle. "I auditioned immediately for Donald Byrd, the choreographer," he said. "What a change! In order to do Donald's work you had better be in top shape. It is phys-ically grueling, eats up your stamina, and calls on your technique to be there for you."
Graesan is clearly a gifted dancer, but in talking with him one senses there is more than just his physical talent. He lives with the belief that "you can do whatever you want to do" - a philosophy taught to him by his parents. "No hanging around malls for me," Graesan declared. "If you really want it, you go for it. Learn to cook, speak a language, or perform on Broadway -- you must develop the resources you will need to accomplish your goal. Closing my mind to distractions, staying focused, and yes," he added in a softer but still firm voice, "wanting to please my parents - these were my goals."