Interview: GARRETT MARKS, A Dancer's Life

Garrett Marks, a 2013 magna cum laude graduate of Belmont University, left Nashville with two degrees in hand: a BFA in Dance and a BS in Entertainment Industry Studies - and hasn't slowed down since, it seems, although he maintains it took him a while to find his groove.

"When I graduated I was pretty directionless and l, in fitting with my indecisive nature, I decided to pursue all my passions at once," he admits. "I started auditioning for dancing and singing roles. I started doing a lot of graphic design work as a survival job (that I've now developed into a business). I began to design and sew clothing for people and developed a relatively successful bow tie line I sell online.

"When I was in third grade I wrote for a homework assignment, 'When I grow up I want to be Renaissance Man' and I continue to use that as a sort of vision statement for my life and how I approach this industry."

Taking time out from his crazy personal schedule - which has him traveling all over the globe - Marks takes on the personal challenge of answering our questions for this week's installment of A Dancer's Life. Read on and find out who Garrett Marks really is...

What was your first introduction to dance as an art form? I started dancing at the age of nine. I like to tell people that I was tricked into dancing. I was asked if I wanted to be in a production of The Nutcracker. As a relatively outgoing and artistic kid I jumped at the chance to do it (probably thinking I was going to be The Nutcracker himself). I was a soldier in the back row but that didn't matter. I was hooked.

What was your first real job as a dancer? In 2011, I was hired to dance and choreograph as a part of a performance art videography piece. I was in New York for the summer following a pretty major knee surgery. Seeing it now it's a pretty dreadful piece since I can hardly jump at all and I'm only balancing on my right leg. However, it was the first time I was asked to bring my artistry to the professional space.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in dance? I think I knew from the beginning this was what I wanted to do. I remember seeing performances as a kid and watching the emotional responses from audience members. I wanted to be able to affect people in that way.

Who is your dancing idol? I think that answer changes daily and covers the whole spectrum. I have always loved Travis Wall as both a dancer and a choreographer. He seems to move from such an emotional place that makes his work speak so well to audiences. Classically, I have always been a huge fan of Sylvie Guillem. The lines she makes with her body seem almost unnatural in a ridiculously beautiful way.

What is your dream role as a dancer? If you could dance any role, what would it be and why? There are too many to count. I want to be in the ensemble of Wicked. I think Wayne Cilento's choreography is absolutely amazing. I also would love to do any of Wayne McGregor's choreography. His movement is weird in the absolute best way possible.

What is the biggest spot on your resume? I most recently loved getting to perform for Celebrity Cruises on the Celebrity Infinity. It was a different facet of the dance world that I had never been a part of but it granted me such fantastic opportunities to see the world and interact with audiences in such an amazing way.

What role/work is your most favorite? As a senior at Belmont University I choreographed and performed in a 50-minute undergraduate thesis entitled Page 191. Being able to see every aspect of the production from start to finish made the material mean that much more to me. Even though I have definitely grown and developed as a dancer since then, the show still makes me smile and gives me goose bumps.

What's the biggest misconception people have about dancers? People assume that dancers all look the same. However, I've found that some of the most interesting choreography and most enthralling dancers are those that capitalize on the way they break the norm. The fact is I'm 5'11" and am built like a linebacker. If I needed to look like Baryshnikov, I would be out of a job.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? Can I pick Meryl Streep. I know she is a 66-year-old woman. However, we share the same birthday. And come on...she's Meryl Streep.

What's your favorite work created for dancers to perform? I love Le Petit Mort by Jiri Kylian. I can't really give an accurate rationale why. It just has that umami quality to it where it just works and is amazing to watch.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the world of dance, who would you choose and why? Jerome Robbins: He created some of the most prolific and iconic choreography ever. Misty Copeland: I think she's just amazing and such a bad ass... Can I say bad ass in print? Mia Michaels: I've been lucky enough to meet her a few times and she is really cool and I think she has mastered the art of blending the classical and commercial sides of dance. An acceptable substitution if one is not available would be amazing costume designer William Ivey Long simply because he would brilliantly add some variety. And to round out this fantasy party I want Bobby Flay to cater it and Josh Groban to be the evening's entertainment.

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own dream...what would you say? Be nice. No one's career ever suffered because they were friendly to someone. Smile at auditions. Say thank you when you get corrections from directors. Just be nice. It makes people want to work with you and it makes you enjoy what you're doing so much more.

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