Diversity Rules Magazine

Glauco Araujo is a Brazilian-born professional dancer and ac- tor trained both here in the U.S. and in Brazil. In Rio, Glauco danced with the Rio Dance Com- pany (modern dance), as well as with the in- tegrated dance company AN- DEF (disability dance). In 2012 Glauco repre- sented Brazil in the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London. And from 2015 to 2017 Glauco acted and danced lead roles at Momenta Dance Com- pany with a repertoire including Doris Humphrey, Martha Graham, and Charles Weidman, as well as classic choreographers like August Bournonville, Mikhail Fokine, Jules Perrot, and Marius Pe pa; and disability choreographers Alice Sheppard and Ginger Lane. Glauco was drawn to NYC in early 2017 and was given a scholarship in ballet at Alvin Ailey from 2017 to 2018. In 2018 he was the featured dancer in "Aria," a duet choreographed for him by Pedro Ruiz, with live accompaniment by the Camerata NY Orchestra. Glauco danced and acted the following year in Sasha Spielvogel's new musical Come Back Once More So I Can Say Goodbye — a celebra on of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Glauco's next featured role was in Joshua Bergasse's musical A Crossing, performed with Barrington Stage Company. Recently, Glauco performed in a short bio-pic en tled Dance for Freedom, highligh ng the chal- lenges people of color face today, and which has garnered recogni on as the First-Place Recipient of the Dr. David Milch Founda on/CCNY Award in a short film compe on. JRK: Before we get into the interview can you tell readers a bit about Glauco Araujo, where you are from, and all that good introductory stuff? GA: I was born in a suburb of Rio and from an early age, I had a passion for anything that had to do with the arts—theatre, dance, and film. I was influenced by what I saw on TV and in the movies. I learned that there was a great big world out there that had limit- less possibili es beyond the life I knew in Rio. As a boy, I would use my imagina on and create imagi- nary scenarios to occupy and pass the me. My mom tells a funny story that as a boy, every me a par cu- lar soap opera would start, I would pretend to be on it and go in front of the TV and dance around and play-act as if I was in the program. One day when I was there in front of the television, my mother was standing outside doing the laundry. She heard a noise and ran to the living room to see what had hap- pened. I was so involved that I grabbed the television and it fell on my head. She describes the scene arriv- ing in the living room and the television on the floor and seeing a huge bruise on my head. I believe that it was a er that day that I made a pact with myself that one day I would be on TV for real. JRK: You are Brazilian born and immigrated to the United States. Can you tell us a bit about your immi- gra on experience and what it was like coming to a strange, new land? What prompted your immigra- on to the United States? GA: It took a lot of courage for me to leave Rio and my family and friends and to come to the U.S. con- sidering that I didn't speak the language. When I first came to New York for the summer, I took as many classes as I could, and then I was unexpectedly in- vited for a summer program at a modern company in Chicago. I planned on returning to New York a er the summer, but they offered me a job. I took the job and stayed in Chicago for two years, but I was lured back to New York when I was offered the possibility of a scholarship to Alvin Ailey School. It was the begin- ning of my deep connec on with New York. I've been living here for four years. And I don't see myself any- where else in the world. I love this city even though it may not be the easiest city to nego ate with its fast pace, crowding, and super high energy. 4 | Diversity Rules Magazine | Mar 2021 A Conversation With Glauco Araujo "Today's the day and make the very most of it!" By Jim Koury, Editor/Publisherr

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