Paul Seaquist

What I first noticed about Paul… was his suit. I said to myself… I need a suit like that. I would only see Paul once in a while and I never knew where it would be. One thing is for sure… in a crowd he glows. Paul Seaquist is one of the top ballet impresarios in Europe. He is the Executive Director of Seaquist Dance Marketing, one of the first dancer and choreographer management companies in the World.

I was lucky enough to work with him a few times and the man knows his stuff. He is sharp, charming and intelligent with a great sense of humor. It was always great to see him. I find his job very interesting. It was always hard for me not to ask a thousand questions when I saw him…

During his career Paul has worked with, developed and directed the careers of stars such as Aurélie Dupont, Polina Semionova, Paloma Herrera, Robert Tewsley, Daniil Simkin, Shoko Nakamura, Roberta Marquez, Jose Manuel Carreño, and Iana Salenko just to mention a few. His stars, together with Seaquist Dance Marketing, have traveled the world performing in the most prestigious theaters of NYC, Miami, London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Tokyo, Taipei, Sydney and Dubai. In 2008 Paul was awarded “Ballet Impresario of the year” by Tanz Magazine.

A man of many talents, Paul has also published two books, “Silencios” Editorial Universitaria, Stgo, Chile 1997 and “Cartagena” Editorial Universitaria, Stgo, Chile 2000. He has also written the ballet librettos, “7 Days”, “Alsino´s Death” and “Le Cirque” for Vladimir Malakhov.

I am was thrilled to have Paul as a part of this series. He is full of inspiration! I present the first impresario of this series, Paul Seaquist……………………

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

I was a very restless kid, so I wanted to be many, many things when I grew up. I still do! The first thing I remember wanting to be as a child was an inventor. Later on because of my fathers influence (I guess) I dreamed of being a fighter pilot. As years moved on, as a teenager in high-school I dreamed of being a “punk rocker-bad ass-rock&roll star” (who doesn’t?), then maybe a bit more mature or after realizing I had no musical talent whatsoever I decided I wanted to become a “punk rocker-bad ass- rock&roll star manager” (who does?). I ended up becoming a “ballet star manager”. Pretty close!

Paul’s Favorite Things

Favorite Things to eat?

Vladimir´s (Malakhov) salmon and/or tuna tartar; the lasagna at Fiorello´s across from the Lincoln Center in NYC; a good day-long BBQ in my brother´s back yard in Chile.

Favorite Books?

I have always been a voracious reader, so here we go: I’m a big fan of XIX century French poetry, specially Arthur Rimbaud´s “A season in hell” and the Comte of Lautreamont “The chants of Maldoror”. I always go back to them! I also fall in love with whatever I am reading at the moment, so for now it would be Roberto Bolano´s 2666 and the Cuban writer Leonardo Padura´s black novel trilogy. Also loving Ted Sorensen´s amazing biography of JFK and the Kennedy administration.

Favorite Movies?

The Godfather 1, I believe its the cathedral of film!

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

The classic Mats Ek “Apartment”, Crystal Pyte “The Tempest” or anything signed with the name Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

I like dancers who…

…are true artists not circus clowns and who are generous on stage and off it, and brave enough to re-invent themselves and take artistic risks constantly and/or when need be.

 I am afraid of…

…Being afraid!

 One of your happiest memories?

Every time I bow after one of my shows and look back at my dancers and very softly say the words “Thank you!”

 One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

Probably my coolest experience has been meeting Andrew Loog Oldham, the manager and producer of the legendary rock band the Rolling Stones. We had dinner in NYC. He picked me up in his black Rolls Royce Phantom V in front of the Lincoln Center one evening. I realized, as I got in the car, that there was a white Rolls Royce parked behind us, but thought nothing about it. After dinner we walked back to the car but this time he climbed into the white Rolls (the black one was parked behind us this time). When he noticed my look of surprise, he just said, “I have the Rolls Royces following me all day long and I either get in the black or the white according to my state of mind”… I was baffled!

 One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

One of the most embarrassing moments of my career must be meeting the executives of Omega watches in München many years back. I was closing an endorsement deal between Polina Semionova and Omega, and the top brass of the company invited us to meet them at their HQ. Polina and I arrived to the meeting at the proper time, were sent in to the office of the CEO of the company and sat down. A few minutes later the CEO comes in and is surprised and almost shocked to see us there. He had no idea who we were or what we wanted. I guess somebody in the chain of command had forgotten to tell the “big boss” about us! Needless to say, we didn’t close that deal!

 Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

I believe it must be Andrew Loog Oldham, he discovered and began managing and producing the Rolling Stones when he was only 19 years old. By the time he was 21, the band was one of the biggest bands in the World. He single handedly created the modern performing arts management as we know it today. And with only 19 years of age!

 One of the hardest things about being an Impresario?

There are a few hard things… yet there are many more pleasant things than not. Just to name a few difficult things, I would begin with the difficulty of some dancers for answering e-mails or phone calls on time. This gets on my nerves! Many times its hard to see that people don’t understand that the success of a great show has a lot to do with the impresario and the management of the artists and the show itself. If the show is a success the impresario is forgotten, if the show is a mess, the impresario is to blame… many times its a no win situation. Shaking off the image of the shady, cigar smoking, cash counting, steak eating impresario of the 1940s is sometimes a hard nut to crack!

 Three words to describe yourself….

I can only think of two: Paul Seaquist.

 Dear aspiring artists,

I am not very keen on giving advice but if I could suggest a few things to aspiring dance artists I guess it would be to work hard but to live harder (be happy, be sad, fall in love, fall out of love, suffer, rejoice, experience) at the end what remains in the pupils of time is not how many pirouettes you can do or how high you can jump but how you could surrender your feelings on stage based on what life has taught you. Don’t be afraid of giving back, to give back is what art is all about. In second place, read your classics! There is a World of difference between an artist who has read and an artist who has not. The possibilities of growth are normally found elsewhere other than the studio.

–Paul Seaquist

Photo Journal

Nice suit…

Paul and Vladimir Malakhov

In the theater.

Where can people find out more about you?

Ask around… 😉

Have you worked with Paul? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!