Carlos Gonzalez (center) with Courtney Shealy and Tyler Maloney in rehearsal for the 2018
ABT Incubator.
Photo: JJ Geiger.
What is your favorite ballet and why?
Romeo and Juliet, because of the dramatic nature of the story and the emotional intensity of the characters.
What is your favorite role that you have danced?
Maybe it’s because I’m from Spain, but I really enjoyed being a toreador in Don Quixote.
What role do you hope to dance one day?
Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.
What is your favorite ABT memory?
This past Fall Season, in Wayne McGregor’s AFTERITE, the curtain went up and I had to walk to another dancer in silence before the music started. That moment of silence in the audience and onstage, just listening to my partner’s and my own breathing and energy meant everything to me.
What is your proudest achievement?
To be where I am after so many years of effort and hard work – coming from a humble family in a small neighborhood of Madrid, the chances of something like this happening are quite improbable.
What would you be if you weren’t a dancer?
Maybe a psychologist. I’m really curious and interested in knowing how the human brain works.
Carlos Gonzalez in
Murmuration with ABT Studio Company in 2015.
Photo: Eduardo Patino.
Describe your morning routine.
In the morning, I like to take my time. I get up an hour before I have to leave, I have breakfast, shower and prepare everything I need for that day. I buy a coffee and go to the studio. I try to get there 10 or 15 minutes before starting the class (although it does not always happen) and do some dynamic warm up that includes some push-ups, feet exercises and short stretches to activate my upper body (back, arms and neck), my ankles and my hamstrings.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
I love to make eye contact. I love communicating through my eyes and not having to always talk to be able to say something. I enjoy it when people communicate with me in the same way. Sometimes a look is worth more than a thousand words.
What are you most looking forward to this performance season?
My debut as Harlequin in Harlequinade and later in Met Season as Lankendem in Le Corsaire.
Carlos Gonzalez. Photo: Rosalie O'Connor.