Interview: The Language of Dance with Rey Rodriguez

NOIR brings Can Can and all of its guests into a world of sultry hypnosis and irresistible revelry. The latest show also brings us Rey Rodriguez, a brand new face on the Can Can stage hailing all the way from Cuba.

Born and blossomed in a culture of dance, Rodriguez has never stopped moving to the rhythm of his life’s unique song in all of its ups, downs, and perfect pivots. From countless auditions to teaching ballroom lessons in downtown Seattle – a style he had never explored before stepping foot in the studio – Rodriguez has truly mastered the universal language of dance.

Despite being far from where his journey initially began, Rodriguez feels as if he is finally “at home” here at Can Can.

Read on to hear all the dreams come true, details, and more.

THECANCAN.COM: What has been your journey as a performer thus far? How did you find your way from Cuba to Seattle?

Rey Rodriguez: My journey has been a little bit crazy. I started dancing when I was a kid. In Cuba, everybody dances, and people start really early. I started dancing in the streets and learning salsa with a group of friends. We would perform on the street at festivals and other events. At that time, I was about to go to high school. My family was not really supportive. They didn't like the idea of me dancing. So, I had to hide. I would go to school, and, in my time off, I would go and do my dancing. Soon after that, I went to my first company. It was not professional, but it was a company for young kids. We would perform at resorts and hotels and had a different show every week. I really got into the dancing; I was so passionate about it. I decided that this was what I wanted to do. In my mind, I was like, “This is what I want to do my whole life.” So, I kept going.

When I was 18, I auditioned for a big cabaret in Havana at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. The club is called Cabaret Parisien. I had my audition, and I got in. I was very excited. I was there for a month, and, for a sad reason, they kicked me out. I was not the only one. The problem was that they had too many black dancers. It sounds very sad, but that's the truth. They had to let us go, and I was devastated.

It took me a month to recover and trust myself again. I was not good at dancing for a long time. But, I decided that this was not my end. I applied for a different cabaret. This one was the biggest cabaret in Cuba, called the Tropicana Club. I had my audition, and it went great. They accepted me, and I got so excited about dancing again. The Tropicana Club was like my school. We would get there at noon, and we would be dancing from noon to midnight. During the day, we had to take different dance lessons, like ballet lessons and folklore lessons. Then, we would do a rehearsal. The show started around 9:00 and was about two hours long. This is where I really became a professional dancer. I didn't go to a performing arts school because my family didn't like the idea of me dancing. I had to keep dancing on the side.

I did Tropicana for about a year and a half. After that, my situation in the city became complicated. I couldn’t stay in Havana, so I had to go back to my hometown in Santiago de Cuba, which is on the other side of the island. I had no choice but to say goodbye to Tropicana.

But, that's when I met my husband. The same day I returned to my hometown was the day we found each other; it almost felt planned. He was visiting Cuba from the United States, and I would show him around. He was in love with Cuba, and he would come every four or five months just to spend time with me. We kept in touch until we decide we were ready for the next step. In March 2019, I came to the US with a fiance visa. We had 90 days to get married, and we did. We have been married and together ever since.

THECANCAN.COM: What are some of the biggest differences between the performing arts in Cuba and the performing arts here in Seattle?

Rey Rodriguez: In Cuba, dancing is part of our life. We use dance for everything. We use dance in our Cuban religion, we use it for ceremonies. I would say that if you are a Cuban person, you need to know how to dance. Otherwise, people will say, “Oh no, you are not from here.” Rey laughs.

It's so interesting because you don't even realize it. When you are a kid, your body just moves to any rhythm. When you least expect it, you are dancing. You know how to do it because you grow up seeing your parents or siblings or friends dancing on the street, and you learn from them. It's so interesting. You don't even realize it when you become a good dancer, it just happens.

It has taken me a long time to define performing here in Seattle because Can Can is actually the first place where I have been able to perform professionally. I've been in Seattle for four years now, and I have been looking for a place to dance. I did not have any luck until now.

I was honestly a little intimidated by Can Can. I first found Can Can about two years after I got to Seattle, but I was so nervous. I just wasn't at the same level as all the dancers here. I told myself that I couldn’t audition – I was really scared and intimidated. But one day, I met someone who used to perform at Can Can. She encouraged me to try, and I did it. I applied, and it went great. Now, here I am. It's been amazing. I love the cast. I love all the employees. I love the show. I'm just so in love with this place.

THECANCAN.COM: Can you tell us a bit more about teaching ballroom classes? What is your favorite part of sharing dance with others?

Rey Rodriguez: I used to teach ballroom dancing for a studio called Arthur Murray. They have studios all over Seattle, and I used to go to the one downtown. I applied for the teaching position because, as I said, I couldn't find anywhere to dance.

This job was the closest I could get to dancing. Yes, you're teaching, but you get to dance with the students. Whenever we had a showcase or any event like that, we would perform for the students. Even though it wasn’t exactly what I wanted, I just thought, “At least you get to dance.”

We don't have ballroom dancing in Cuba, so I didn't know ballroom dancing until I got to the studio. I had to learn it, and then I had to teach it. I also had to learn how to teach because, although I've been a dancer my whole life, I have never been a teacher.

It was complicated, at first, because English is not my first language. It was really hard to teach somebody and explain everything. Sometimes, I just did not have the words to explain. So, I would say, “Look at my body and see the way I do things.” I used my body language to teach.

I guess it worked because my students love me. Rey laughs. I still have some students that text me. “Rey! What are you doing? Are you teaching in any other place? Please, if so – let me know. I will go take lessons with you!” It's so sweet.

THECANCAN.COM: NOIR is your first Can Can show! It’s quite different than the narrative shows we usually do, but what does NOIR feel like to you?

Rey Rodriquez: No, NOIR doesn't follow any story. But, this show is right up my alley. This is what I used to do in Cuba. This is the way we do shows in Cuba – we just follow the music.

And, I have to say, I have never done burlesque before. It was interesting, at first. I had to learn a whole new style, but it's been great. I don't think there is anything I won't be able to do because it’s very similar to shows in Cuba. That's what we do.

There’s a number in NOIR where it’s just us three guys on stage. Just the three of us in pants and no shirt. It's where we get to show off our masculinity. This show is the first time in my life that I have danced almost naked. I have never felt this naked on stage, which is very fun.

THECANCAN.COM: What number from NOIR are you always the most excited to perform?

Rey Rodriguez: I have a few. One of my favorites is the opening of the show. The opening is amazing. It's dark and sexy at the same time. During the first number, called “Back to Black,” you get to connect with people. In Cuba, the dancers are never close to the audience. We are far away. It was a little bit intimidating when I first started performing at Can Can because people are so close to the stage! They right there looking at you, and it's just so fun.

The other number I love doing is in the second act. It’s called “Hazzah, My Friend.” We bring some of the audience members on stage who are having birthdays or other celebrations, and the whole choreography is around them. They just feel so special. And, I love that. I'm always excited to do that number.

I hope as many people as possible can come and see the show. I know they will love the whole experience. Whenever I get to perform at Can Can, it's like my dream is coming true. I just feel so at home.

Witness Rey Rodriguez’s language of dance come to life in Can Can’s NOIR. Tickets are available at tickets.thecancan.com.