We were lucky to catch up with Gregory Dolbashian recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gregory thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I’m actually going to take a bit of a spin on this topic and put the focus more on the the first dollar I was able to pay to other creatives who worked with me. I have been immensely fortunate to found and help lead several businesses in the field of dance to date, but thinking back to the first paycheck I was able to put in the hands of my colleagues in The DASH, was a major moment. It wasn’t a lot of money but the impact of that moment far exceeded any dollar amount one can dream up because that moment was a major sign from the universe to do the unthinkable: to continue. To continue with even more energy, dedication, belief, and possibility. To stick with it, even through really hard moments of uncertainty, failure, and major unrest. To continue to ask the hard questions about how far you are willing to go to make something the best you believe it can be. Wait, you mean I can spend my life in a pursuit that holds access to this much fulfillment aaaand money is weaved in there too?I didn’t know it then but upon reflection in this story, it also was a further realization into the simplest of cheat codes: Continue on in radical belief in yourself as you build your own language. You will face doubt, production difficulties, funding issues, lack of critical reception, imposter syndrome, and exhaustion. All you have to do is stay in the forcefield. DO NOT EXIT. Let’s talk in 10 years.

Gregory , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a movement director and choreographer creating in the field of contemporary dance and theatrical performance. I am a born and raised New Yorker. I work both as a director of my own brands/collectives, The DASH and co-founder of The PlaygroundNYC and I also am commissioned by other globally renowned institutions and organizations to create and consult on dance and choreography as well.

The DASH is a two pillar company that encompasses a professional performance company, The DASH Ensemble, a diverse company of performers with a shared commitment to expanding physical and theatrical boundaries of contemporary dance in the twenty-first century. Through live performances, film/multimedia projects, educational workshop opportunities, open invitations to rehearsal processes, and curated panel discussions, The DASH aims to connect and further highlight the art of dance to our surrounding communities, locally and abroad.

The DASH Academy, a pre-professional day time program that houses dance arts training and online academic education, co-founded by Lindsey Morgan. The DASH was originally founded in New York City, where I am a native, and we have newly expanded down south to Dallas, TX, where our Academy program is based. and our ensemble has engaged in multiple projects in some of Dallas’ most major venues. In the 3 and a

The organization as a whole has received national recognition for our work in performance, education, mentorship, and innovation. I am working side by side incredible teams of collaborators, guest artists, educators, leaders, staff, and suppprtive surrounding communities. Over the decade that we have been operating, The DASH has reached audiences around the country totaling in the thousands, has employed over 100 artists, creators, educators, technical and support staff, and has been recognized with various awards, special performance opportunities, and select residencies on a national scale.

I also am the co-founder, alongside dancemaker Loni Landon, of a choreographic initiative called The PlaygroundNYC. The PlaygroundNYC is an essential platform and network for professional and emerging dancers and choreographers to connect, exchange ideas and grow in their careers. We host movement based workshops that create an open environment and encourage creativity and dialogue between dancers and choreographers. The PlaygroundNYC is accessible, financially accommodating, and artistically rewarding, for all of its participants, and all are welcomed and encouraged to engage in our community.

To learn more about all 3 of these initiatives check them all out @thedashensemble @thedashacademy @theplaygroundnyc

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think this is a constant and I think is dependent on who you have around you because you may not always see the pivot clearly or what direction or angle to pivot towards or away from. Many of the successful pivots I have made were pointed out to me by collaborators, colleagues, or even in moments when people or situations revealed something lying within that made me take note to make a change. Even just basic roles, I have pivoted before as well. I started only wanting to be a creator for my own brands and platforms but I was encouraged to seek out and take opportunities as a commissioned artist working independently for other brands and organizations.

I always thought that most of my work roles would take place on stage or on screen, but The Playground pushed my leadership into much more behind the scenes in the way of curating and creating environments and community building through championing the presences and needs of others.

I was always New York til I die, so the move to expand to Dallas also was very much pointed out to me and encouraged. I never thought that a move like that would be a part of the path but now I can’t imagine our work’s trajectory without it.

None of these pivots would have materialized though without input and feedback from my surrounding teams and close circles, so it is not necessarily the pivots that make the changes, it is who you seek out and who you place yourself next to that truly opens up the power of movement and agility within your business models and lifestyles.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Totally! Would love to share some resources.

Some great books that I have found fruitful are:

Calm the F Down by Sarah Knight

The Creative Act: A way of Being Rick Rubin

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.theplaygroundnyc.org
• Instagram: @gregory_dolbashian
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDashEnsemble
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-dolbashian-2528b0134/
• Youtube: tags: Gregory Dolbashian, The DASH Ensemble

Image Credits
Joseph Heitman Mike Esperanza Maxwell Perkins Ken Osadon