#229: Martín Céspedes (Dancer and Choreographer) (pt. 2 of 2)

This week on the podcast is part 2 of our interview with dancer and theatrical choreographer Martín Céspedes. He has performed on Broadway tours of shows such as Man of La Mancha, The King and I,  and South Pacific. He’s also danced at the Kennedy Center with the Washington National Opera, as well as in concert performances with Earth, Wind and Fire and The Bee Gees. As a choreographer his credits include musicals at Porthouse Theatre, Cleveland Musical Theatre, the Great Lakes Theater and the St. Louis Repertory Theater. If you have an interest in working professionally in dance and theatre, you'll want to hear Martín's positive message and approach to arts entrepreneurship!

In this episode:
Imagine stepping into the world of renowned choreographer Martín Céspedes, where art and entrepreneurship merge seamlessly. With our conversation revealing the secrets to his award-winning choreography, you'll find yourself immersed in his meticulous research process, influenced by music and the inspirations he draws from genres of dance to enhance his craft. Martín also talks about his associations with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and the Actors' Equity Association, shedding light on the crucial role they play in his profession.

In the latter half, the spotlight turns to Martín's personal journey and the profound influence the classic musical West Side Story had on his career. You'll discover how this iconic show continues to shape modern theater trends. As we venture beyond the stage, Martín shares his experiences choreographing for other platforms such as animation and film, and discusses the role of different unions in these areas. We conclude our talk with his invaluable advice for budding artists and entrepreneurs, and a thoughtful discussion on making arts more accessible to a wider audience. Get ready for an enlightening and inspiring ride through Martín's world of dance, theater, and art entrepreneurship.

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Show Notes:

Martín Céspedes
http://www.martincespedes.com/

Man of La Mancha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_of_La_Mancha

The King and I
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King_and_I

South Pacific
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_(musical)

Kennedy Center
https://www.kennedy-center.org/

Washington National Opera
https://www.kennedy-center.org/wno/home/


Earth, Wind and Fire
https://www.earthwindandfire.com/

Bee Gees
https://www.beegees.com/

Porthouse Theatre
https://www.kent.edu/porthouse

Cleveland Musical Theatre
https://www.playhousesquare.org/

Great Lakes Theater
http://www.greatlakestheater.org/

St. Louis Repertory Theatre
https://www.repstl.org/

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
https://sdcweb.org/

Actors’ Equity Association
https://www.actorsequity.org/

Jacques d’Ambroise
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_d'Amboise_(dancer)

American Ballet Theatre
https://www.abt.org/

Carousel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carousel_(musical)

Dance Fever
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Fever

Erik Estrada 
https://www.erikestrada.com/

Melba Moore
https://www.melbamoore.com/

Olivia Newton John
https://olivianewton-john.com/home/

Merv Griffen Studios
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merv_Griffin_Enterprises

The Hanna Theatre
https://www.playhousesquare.org/venues/detail/hanna-theatre

Bebe Neuwirth
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001564/

Cheers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers

Jerome Robbins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Robbins

West Side Story
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story

Dancing with the Stars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(American_TV_series)

Little Shop of Horrors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(musical)

Keith Gerchak
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1923926/

Dennis Haysbert
https://dennishaysbert.tv/

Major League
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097815/

Martin Sheen
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000640/bio/

Tom Hanks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hanks

The Nicholas Brothers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Brothers

Hamilton
https://hamiltonmusical.com/new-york/home/

Gamelan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamelan

Once on This Island
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_on_This_Island

Bob Fosse
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Fosse

Michael Kidd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kidd

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Brides_for_Seven_Brothers

Guys and Dolls
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guys_and_Dolls

BH Barry
https://www.bhbarry.com/

Glory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_(1989_film)

Matthew Broderick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Broderick

The Fantasticks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fantasticks


George Chakiris
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Chakiris

Phantom of the Opera
https://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/

Cirque du Soleil
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/

Gene Kelly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Kelly

Dorothy Danner
http://www.dorothydanner.com/

Blythe Danner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blythe_Danner

Gwyneth Paltrow
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwyneth_Paltrow

John Kenley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kenley