Diversity Rules Magazine

But I'm home here and I'm safe and surrounded by good friends and new opportuni es every day. I've been fortunate to have friends born here in the U.S., and others who have lived here for many years, who have helped me to understand the American culture and its norms and ways. JRK: What were some of the struggles and challeng- es you encountered when you arrived in the United States? GA: I think at first it was the lan- guage. I didn't speak any Eng- lish the very first me I arrived here in New York. I remember that there were days when I felt so unhappy because I couldn't talk to people and depended on others to help me. It's very com- plicated and frustra ng when you can't express your feel- ings. Everything changed when I started to work in the theater more intensely and it was the theater where I managed to de- velop my English language skills be er. All the work rehearsing before a show, all the work pre- paring for character develop- ment, the interac on with the other actors, and all the people involved in the produc on – it gave me the chance and forced me to communicate in English. The rehearsals helped me not only ar s cally. But helped me to become more fluent and confident in English. As me went by, my vocabulary grew, and my inter- ac ons became more natural. I always felt at home when I was on stage, and for the first me, the whole process made me feel at ease with other people. I could express myself be er, without judgment, with- out the fear that I either didn't understand or that I couldn't make myself understood. At first, I felt as if I had been saved from the end- less cold and wind of Chicago. I felt at home. In New York with all its boundless culture. But it was a long process un l I got used to everything in the city. New York as exci ng as it is, is not an easy city to nego- ate. I went through a very long emo onal process adap ng to the rigors of this metropolis. Therapy helped me a lot. I was also very lucky. I had a lot of people who helped me both personally and profes- sionally. Dancing was my only form of communica- on at the beginning, it was where people could see me perform, and it was my way of communica ng with the world. I was able to branch out with dance as my center and my founda on. JRK: You are a professional dancer and actor. Can you tell us a bit about your experience while in Bra- zil, and how you became interested in dance and ac ng? GA: In Rio, in my late teens, I danced with the Rio Dance Company (modern dance), as well as with the integrated dance company ANDEF (disability dance). And in 2012, I was rewarded for my talent and skill, and I had the great honor of represen ng Brazil in the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London. and where the fu- ture might take me. It was an awe- some and wondrous feeling — a mys- cal feeling leaving me with a longing to move forward with resolve and hope. JRK: What were some of the first professional gigs you got a er com- ing to the United States? GA: I think I have been blessed in my journey as an ar st here in the U.S. In Chicago, I was able to do leading roles in dance, including classics from Ballet Russe, as well as the Modern Dance repertory, which was a dream for me. And in Chicago, I had an en- re ballet created for me, which was in- spired by my own story as a child grow- ing into young adulthood. The name of the show Melodious Marco, an original ballet cre- ated by Sarah Najera and inspired by my life story as a youth, performed in Chicago. It told a story of a young man trying to connect to the truth with him- self to find authen city, meaning, and love in his life. As a child, growing up in a farm country outside of Rio de Janeiro, it recalls my being at my bedroom window in the evenings, looking up to the open and seemingly endless night sky, and medita ng upon the stars. I would stand at the window for hours, for nights on end, gazing upon all those stars thinking how the constella on of stars represented a remark- able and momentous world. And I wondered about my des ny. It was a very special moment in my life. I was facing at that point many difficult challenges, but I was fortunate to have other people inspire and boost my morale. When I arrived in New York I got a scholarship to Alvin Ailey School and in my Dance debut in NY, I was able to dance with The Camerata Araujo - Con't on page 6 Diversity Rules Magazine | Mar 2021 | 5 Photo By Joshua Ramos

• Cover