LTAW: Can you start off with a brief history of Dance Track Magazine?
Sandra Colton: Dance Track Magazine was my creation while writing my book, “Book Me! How To Become A Successful Working Dancer In Hollywood.” I wanted to expand my ideas that were being presented as a guide for dancers but instead of creating a “How To” type of magazine since my book was “how to” enough, I thought why not instead create something that can chronicle and detail the lives of people who shape dance. Following the paths of producers, directors, makeup artists, fashion stylists and designers, as well as dancers and choreographers and the life events that shape the way they create is where I believed this magazine would excel.

LTAW: How has Dance Track Magazine grown in the past year?
Sandra: Dance Track Magazine has grown from a biannual print publication to a quarterly print publication with 12 digital issues, from one app to two apps and successfully implementing the brand through international distribution in the USA and Canada as well as producing several star-studded events including the 2011 Dance Track Magazine ‘Artist Awards.’

LTAW: Is this a magazine for young dancers, dance moms, dance teachers, and professional dancers? How does it appeal to each audience and help them grow?
Sandra: Dance Track Magazine is for audiences who love dance (commercial dance in particular – focusing on TV, film, tours, commercials, industrials), fashion and art. For young dancers looking to work professionally, of course I recommend my book, “Book Me! How To Become A Successful Working Dancer In Hollywood.” This is the best thing a dance mom, dance teacher or studio owner can recommend for their students who want to know the ins and outs of working on a professional level and what it takes to make it in the business.

Dance Track Magazine appeals to dancers, dance moms, dance teachers and professional dancers. One will see the community in a whole new and fantastic way. Read stories of pro dancers who talk about their “tour bubble” in the latest issue of Dance Track as you go inside the Kylie Minogue “Aphrodite” World Tour. Check out the Janet Jackson dancers’ style in a photo shoot by Anthony Cunanan and find yourself with an insider’s scoop into the new music of dance pro Lacey Schwimmer from Dancing With The Stars as well as the “Offbeat” article about Shane Sparks (former SYTYCD choreographer and ABDC Judge who was just found guilty of having intercourse with a minor. Take a look at photos from celebrity events around the community and the behind the scenes on some of your favorite TV shows and upcoming films featuring dance.

This magazine really is for people who love entertainment, dance, fashion and art and want to know more about their favorite dancers and choreographers. It’s all inside the #1 magazine for professional dance, Dance Track Magazine.

LTAW: What are the expectations for the magazine in the upcoming year? Are there specific goals or events you’d like to accomplish?
Sandra: We are currently working on the final touches for our Winter 2012 issue of Dance Track Magazine due out in January with a specific focus on music. We are also registering eligible voters for the upcoming 2012 Artist Awards to be held in the spring of 2012. To find out more about winners and last year’s nominees, click here.

As for specific goals, the Dance Track Magazine is gaining momentum. We are ambitious but as a new company, having just celebrated our 1 Year Anniversary this past Wednesday at Drai’s in Hollywood, we are very grateful that so many people have invited our publication into their homes. We are really interested in learning from the feedback of our subscribers and online readers and continuing to make the magazine a work of art.

LTAW: If I’m interested in working or interning for Dance Track, what can I expect? Who can I contact?
Sandra: Dance Track Magazine is always looking for creative types that want to contribute to future issues. We have internships available in multiple departments. As an intern with Dance Track Magazine, one can expect to learn to multi-task on projects and find out the real meaning of the word “deadline.” You will be able to flex your creativity and stretch your critical thinking skills while being able to earn credit toward your degree requirements. To find out more about internship opportunities click here. On this page you will find our mailing address and Internship Application Submission Requirements and Guidelines.

LTAW: Now where can we get a copy?
Sandra: Subscribe to Dance Track Magazine today here! You can also pick up a copy at Barnes & Noble, specialty shops and newsstands around the USA and Canada.

Let’s Talk About Work: When did you first realize you were funny?

Nick Turner from Free Comedy: It’s always been my biggest asset.  It’s always the thing I’ve relied most heavily on. It never didn’t exist in my mind.

LTAW: Who’s your favorite comedian?

NT: Eddie Pepitone

LTAW: How has your comedic genius evolved over time. I know one of your recent accomplishments was turning 30! 15 months ago!

NT: I was bad and then I did stand up about a 3,000 times and got good.  I think I’m finally able to recreate on stage what makes me funny off stage and that is a very long journey.

LTAW: How often do your parents tell you to get a real job?

NT: My parents have always been way too supportive.  I told them I wanted to quit school and move to NY to be a comedian and they said, “great!” They are psychopaths. Who knew that only 11 years later I would be able to make a living at it?

LTAW: What’s your personal training routine to stay in comedic shape and get funnier?

NT: You gotta have a pretty single minded focus.  I perform every night.  All of my friends are comedians.  My girlfriend is a comedian.  It’s pretty much my whole life.  During the day I’m focused on writing, auditions, scheduling, producing, and enjoying the life where I don’t have a boss and I have a lot of free time to do whatever I want even though I’m still super poor.

LTAW: Recently you were on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Have you had to change your identity or was it beneficial to your career?

NT:You don’t really get recognized from one late night appearance.  I’ve only been recognized in context at comedy shows or by friends of friends.  In New York there are actual famous people around so no one would bother with me yet.

LTAW: What are some of your current projects?

NT: I host three regular shows in New York.  One in Queens, one in Brooklyn, and one in Manhattan.  Next week we are filming episodes 7 & 8 of a webseries about temping I created w/ my writing partner Jason Saenz.  I’m traveling more performing stand up and this winter I’m heading to LA to do my first pilot season.

LTAW: What “support” jobs have you had as you’ve grown your comedian career?

NT: I’ve waited tables, worked in retail, handed out fliers, worked as a receptionist, moved computers, moved furniture, worked as security for costumed characters,  telemarketing, performed characters on the radio, housesat, written a blog “written by a dog,” been an assistant, catering, sat in the audience of television tapings, and so much temping. Soooo much temping.  I don’t know how I get out of bed in the morning. (partial list)

LTAW: What are your ultimate goals as a comedian besides not getting booed off stage?

NT: Comedian goals are usually pretty simple.  I want to make people laugh.  I want to get paid enough for it that I don’t have to have a straight job.  And I want to constantly get better.  I want to keep performing for bigger and bigger audiences.  I want to get on a tv show.  I want to make my own tv show.  Then I want to make movies.  Lots of movies.  Then I want to run for Senate.  Then I want to run for president…of earth.  Pretty simple.

LTAW: How do you balance your personal life and life in the spotlight? Oh the paparazzi…

NT: Talk to me after my 10th time on TV…  or 20th… I can’t get my friends to take pictures of me now.

Get some laughs on Free Comedy! and follow Nick on Twitter!

Welcome to the second episode of the Let’s Talk About Work Podcast hosted by Mary-Frances Winters. We were happy to be joined by our guest, Lisa LaRocque of Intercambios, a bilingual, binational inter-cultural group for organizations working with health, the environment, and the community.

We discussed Lisa’s fascinating experience in diversity and inclusion inspired by the intersection of U.S. and Mexican cultures. She emphasized project adaptation and responsiveness in addition to the key issue of equity.

Podcast production services provided by Nao Media + Consulting

Let’s Talk About Work on iTunes. Enjoy, stream and download often.

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