We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alicia Pociask a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alicia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

My parents put me in dance class at 5 years old an I knew around the age of 12 that I wanted to work in the entertainment industry for the rest of my life. I switched dance studios in 7th grade to a studio that was known for training young performers to become professionals in the industry. I knew this was the career path I was going to take and took my dance training very seriously. I trained 4 days a week at the studio while also attending conventions and workshops. I wanted to be a versatile dancer who would work and I was lucky to have parents who were able to help support me in my dance education. I wasn’t ready to jump into the professional world after high school so I spent 3.5 years at Point Park University, graduating with a major in dance and minor in theater arts.

Alicia , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started working professionally in 2005 when I booked my first job as a dancer at King’s Dominion in Richmond, Virginia. This was one of the most amazing experiences in my career. The director/choreographer was straight off of “Movin’ Out” on Broadway. I started out as a dancer and ended my summer swinging my dancer track and a singer track. I learned so much and took this incredible first experience with me throughout my professional career. I spent my last two summers in college working at Cedar Point and Hershey Park and then moved to Tennessee to be a replacement in the show “Country Tonight”. From there I went on to dance for Holland America Cruise Line for six years. During that time I choreographed a huge show for Cedar Point and that put me on the map as a choreographer. From there I choreographed six mainstage shows for Holland America Cruise Line, three shows for Azamara Club Cruises and was and associate choreographer for STEP ONE Dance Company. I have spent the past 2 years creating shows for Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I have always wanted to create a space for young performers to learn, grow and be seen. In August of 2019 Bold Dance Project was born. I created BDP because I wanted to provide an intimate learning experience that encompassed all the facets of dance and musical theater. I wanted to create a space where performers felt seen and could express themselves in a smaller setting, focusing on storytelling. BDP strives to create a positive learning environment for all dancers. Bold Dance Project has been a dream of mine for so many years and to be able to bring a NYC Experience to dancers and performers all over the country is so amazing.

I still continue to choreograph shows as well as travel the country as an audition choreographer for Norwegian Cruise Line.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As a choreographer and creative, hands down seeing your work and vision come to life on stage. I have so many ideas in my head and to see those ideas executed is such a high.

As a educator and business owner, I love seeing dancers leave Bold Dance Project Experience’s fulfilled. Getting emails from parents telling me how much their child loved the educators, the classes, and just the positive environment is the best compliment and so fulfilling.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Unfortunately I was told a lot at a young age that I wasn’t good enough to be a professional performer or to work in this industry. I was determined to prove those people wrong. I worked so hard throughout college to make sure I was on the path to success. One thing is I NEVER GAVE UP. If I wasn’t cast in a piece at school I used that extra time to train, audition or go to NYC and take classes. I had a professor in college, the late Ron Tassone, who always told me I had the sparkle and the thick skin for this industry. He always believed in me and never made me think I couldn’t do this as a career. I remember telling him about my first professional job and he hugged me and said, “I told you you could do it”. His positivity, encouragement and tough love got me to where I am today. Other than my parents, he was the one person who truly believed in me. I hope I am still making him proud today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aliciapociask.com/
• Instagram: @aliciarose33
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicia.pociask
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-pociask-38841b79/
• Other: BOLD DANCE PROJECT WEBSITE https://bolddanceproject.com/ BOLD DANCE PROJECT IG @bold.dance.project

Image Credits
Olive Juice Prints KAMera Shoots Craig Foster Photography