Meet Thijs Hogenboom | Dancer & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thijs Hogenboom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thijs, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As an artist I think this is such an interesting question, as I feel that most artist expect you to give up EVERYTHING in order to do your art. “You gotta really want it” is an outdated statement and it needs to go. Yes of course, working hard is sometimes necessary, just like in any other profession. But a personal/social life? Some time just alone on the couch, or in a park with friends? Pretty important too.

On the other hand if you ask a non-artist they’ll say; “Well you do what you love, so it’s not really work to you”. I have heard this so many times, that I almost started to believe it. Of course I can work overtime with no pay, I thought, cause this is what I love to do.

Balance is always hard to find, in work, in life, in everything. I like working, and I like not working. I shouldn’t feel bad for wanting both every now and then. I don’t think I’m ever done trying to find that balance, it’s never fully there. I’m still learning to not feel guilty to choose my career over my friends and family, and vice versa. I’m not less of an artist for taking time off, just as much I’m not less of a person to decide to work a bit more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a dancer/actor/performer. I started off as a dancer when I was only about 10 years old and I’ve always loved it. Although the dance world has their problematic issues, I was always lucky and relatively down to earth when it came to my yearly trainings and assessments. Was or am I the perfect dancer? No, but I wanted to dance; so I danced. I got many, many (!!) no’s in a lot of places (too short, not good enough, ugh we already have someone with dark blond hair), but I kept going, and it worked out for me because I did get work. Alright it wasn’t ABT, or English National Ballet, but it were companies where I could be myself, grow and explore my artistic sides. I had a great time with every work opportunity I had and I’m forever grateful for that.

I think that attitude helped me a lot through my career, and I think that it helped me to switch (or rather split) my career into my other passion; acting. I realized it was something that I wanted to do. I was a bit shy about it at first, questioned myself if I should really (wouldn’t it have been better if I started about 10 years ago? Am I too old already?), but I really wanted to do it, so I did it. Rather quickly I noticed I wasn’t too bad at acting, but also not too great. It felt like dance all over again. Many no’s, some yes’s and a freaking pandemic, like being a foreign artist in the United States isn’t hard enough already. But there’s light in the end of the tunnel; shows are opening up, and all you need is that one yes. I couldn’t be more thrilled for this! One job always leads to another one, so who knows?

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Gosh, New York has plenty of stuff to see. Besides the touristic stuff (Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, WTC, Empire State Building, etc. ) there are so many cute restaurants, parks, clubs (that I personally can’t wait to visit again!). I personally would take them more downtown and to Brooklyn, as there is so much going on there, and I haven’t been there in a long while because of the pandemic. I remember there’s this cutest beergarden somewhere that I would love to take them and have an ice cold beer in the sun. We would obviously need to cool down and take a moment to go visit the MET, perhaps followed with a walk in the park. And would I not be a Dutchman if I didn’t make my guests bike around town for a bit? You might die, but hey what an experience would it be, wouldn’t it?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many!! My family most of all; all my amazing friends. My teachers (dance, singing, acting, etc. etc.), my amazing co-workers, my sometimes not so amazing co-workers! I feel everyone has shaped me in some way how I am today.

Website: thijshogenboom.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thijshogenboom

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thijs-hogenboom/

Image Credits
Hans Oostrum (Photography), Misja van der Klomp (Nederdans Photography), Loes Schakenbos.