Eric Parra, a native of Union City, New Jersey, began his formal dance training at Montclair State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance (2017). While at MSU, he performed in works by José Limón, Larry Keigwin, Sean Curran, Anna Sokolow and Camille A. Brown. Mr. Parra attended Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts for 4 consecutive summers during his time in school. Eric has danced for Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, Maxine Steinman & Dancers, Pajarillo Pinta'o, and Doug Elkins Choreography, etc. He has staged works at Union City High School, Montclair High School and Montclair State University. In addition, he has assisted Mr. Mosley in setting repertory at The Joffrey Ballet School and Manhattan Youth Ballet. Mr. Parra is the recipient of the 2016 Martha Hill Dance Fund Young Professional Award and the 2017 Linda Roberts Outstanding Senior Dance Award. (photo: Anthony Gusevich)
Where did you grow up?: I grew up in Union City, NJ. What are the challenges and joys of being a dance artist in NYC?: Some challenges about being a dance artist in NYC are consistency (in terms of finding work), not being paid as deserved, and effectively feeling overwhelmed with places to be, work to do, etc. Some of its joys falls in connecting with so many different people from all around, working in a place that appareciates its artists, and realizing that there really is no place like NYC. What about Cardboard Stage do you connect with most? I mostly connect with the organized mess that Cardboard Stage implies. I also connect with the moments of vulnerability the dancers get to experience. All in all, remembering that although we are all on different paths, but once the day is over we are all humans who have the choice to feel and empathize. If you could have dinner with one person (you don’t know) who would it be? What would you talk about? I would have dinner with a random person from my home country, Colombia. I would ask what their day is like. I would ask what makes them happy, what they value, what they want to know about America/NYC. Favorite films:
I Am Legend
Lion King
Eric Parra will be performing in Cardboard Stage - October 18, 19, 20 at 8pm
Triskelion Arts - 106 Calyer Street, Brooklyn NY. Tickets on Sale Now!
