You started dancing when you were young, why not join a more traditional troupe?
Robert Carter: With this company I found my home. The repertory and the artistic freedom I’ve been given cannot compare to dancing for another company. Then, there is the added bonus of seeing the world, which to me is priceless.

Is it easier than being in a classical ballet troupe?
Robert Carter: It can be hard, too. This is definitely not a company for those who need a normal routine. I’ve always said that the traveling can be more tiring than the work itself.

What is it like performing female roles?
Robert Carter: The difficulty lies in the execution. I focus strongly on fluidity and eloquence of movement. Women have a light quality in their dance that can be very hard to emulate, especially with more technically demanding roles. The advantage of being a man doing these roles is the ability to combine the elements of the female role with masculine strength to create something new.

What do you look for in a new dancer?
Tory Dobrin: Someone with a sense of humor. A team player, who can function well in the group. A good dancer.

Do you ever feel you’d earn more respect doing a classical ballet?
Tory Dobrin: Comedy is a very important side of theater, just as vital as drama. Both are equals before the public and both deserve the respect of the public.

Why don’t you have women in the troupe?
Tory Dobrin: There were women in the early days of the Trockadero. Seeing a man in a tutu was very funny, especially when the heavy body tried to appear light. A woman in a male outfit was just not so funny. And the women could also not really perform the male roles with enough strength to fully achieve the gender switch.

How has Trockadero evolved?
Tory Dobrin: Compared to 1974, things have changed a lot. Drag has become something that is not so unusual. However, as an-all male ballet troupe that uses drag as a vehicle for comedy, we are able to maintain a good balance between comedy and ballet. We remain close to our initial goal: to bring the joy of dance to the widest possible audience.

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