I met Anthony many years ago now, when we both lived in Boston, MA. We worked in the same facility and quickly became acquainted with one another. Well, recently in the past we reconnected and when I got the chance to catch up and see what was going on with him. I found out about his new passion and that is opening up his own dance company. So I took the opportunity to interview him.

Interview with Anthony Cole, Director

GBMnews: Whats has been happening in the world of dance?

Anthony Cole: Well for me I have been working very on gaining visibility for my dance company, CAC Repertory Dance Theatre. We are currently in out 7th season

GBMnews How did u come up with the name CAC Repertory Dance Theatre?

Anthony Cole: Those are my initials, C. Anthony Cole... And the repertory refers to the diversity in our work (choreography)

GBMnews: How did you get the funding for it?

Anthony Cole: Currently we exist on donations from my own personal funds, gigs, and
Sponsors.

GBMnews: Is it difficult to run a dance company?

Anthony Cole: Very we will look into grants for next season which begins on September 15.

GBMnews Do you have a grant writer or you solicit donations?

Anthony Cole: I have someone who has offered to write for me... But I do send out letters and emails trying to raise awareness and funds

GBMnews: Is there a theme to your dance company?

Anthony Cole: We are a black dance company. There's about 6 major blk company's, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Philadanco, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, etc. CAC Repertory Dance Theatre does dance for the people of African decent and other communities, its all in our mission statement on our web site www.cacrepdance.org

GBMnews: How many dancer in your company?

Anthony Cole: This season 3

GBMnews: What does the seasons mean?

Anthony Cole: Season is basically the time frame in which a company performs, rehearses or travels.... Unlike a calendar year a season could be as long as 52 weeks and as short as 2 months

GBMnews: Is there a set number of people in a dance company?

Anthony Cole: Our seasons are 9 months.... No I like to keep it at 4-10 dancers

GBMnews: What do you hope to accomplish with your dance company?

Anthony Cole: Eventually I'd like to grow the company to at least 20 dancers with our own dance facility, and administrative staff, teaching staff....

GBMnews: Is this dance company the only thing you have going business wise?

Anthony Cole: Its my primary focus I also have a full time job and I choreograph and teach around San Diego. My goal is to get my teaching credential in secondary education. I enjoy working with the middle school and high school level students

GBMnews When do you foresee yourself finishing?
Anthony Cole: I should be done with my education in the next 3 years.

GBMnews: Are you going to try to work and continue with the dance company?

Anthony Cole: Oh that is at the fore front; I can do all these things. Its all about prioritizing

GBMnews: Do you envisioned to have more than one company?

Anthony Cole: No, but it is important that this company is able to grow and develop more programs within the organization, dance training, performance opportunities, producing dance performances and plays...
Anthony Cole: And musicals

GBMnews:. Do you like doing musical or some other chorography?

Anthony Cole: I love musicals I would love to choreograph a production of Dreamgirls, The Wiz, or something fabulous like that!

GBMnews Are there awards giving in dance?

Anthony Cole: Yes we have or had the Tommy Awards here in San Diego, in New York they have the Betsy’s and you could always when an Emmy for choreography. I left out one very major part of the black dance community called the International Association of Blacks in Dance ( IABD) look it up all the black companies are apart of it we will join in January.

GBMnews Thanks you for the interview Mr. Cole or should I say Anthony?

Anthony Cole: Thank you and Anthony will be fine.


C. Anthony Cole Founder/Executive & Artistic Director

C. Anthony Cole has been a dance artist for over 20 years, from childhood classes at Our Lady of Grace, through high school at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA), to studies at the Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance, and Theater. He has served as Principle Teaching Artist for TranscenDance Youth Arts Project, produced and directed the "Collaborations" dance projects in San Diego and served as the founding Executive Director of LaDiego Dance Theater. Mr. Cole is a popular and recurrent Guest Artist teacher and choreographer at SDSCPA where he has choreographed Spritual Healing, Still I Rise, and Searching for Love. In addition, as a "protege" of Sandra Foster King, he has been invited to restage her repertoire throughout San Diego. Inspired by Debbie Allen, Alvin Ailey, Talley Beaty, and many other black dance notables, Mr. Cole founded the C.Anthony Cole Repertory Dance Theatre, with the goal of inspiring young minority dancers.