Ron Gatsby is a dancer, teaching artist, and choreographer based in Seattle. He is the Artistic Director/Choreographer of the Purple Lemonade, an artist collective which he founded in 2016. Ron’s work reflects a desire to create movement that makes queer art in general – and black art in particular – visible and actively taking space in Seattle.

Locally Ron’s work has been seen at Seattle PrideFest, Seattle Art Museum’s SAM Remix, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Purple Lemonade has performed at PNB and SAM’s collaboration, Summer at SAM: Sculptured Dance, and at PNB’s NEXT STEP: OUTSIDE/IN in 2018.

This year Ron is creating an original work for NEXT STEP: OUTSIDE/IN to be performed by the Purple Lemonade at Seattle Center’s International Fountain.

Ron has appeared in videos for Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Charlotte Tilbury; his commercial choreography credits include Alexander McQueen, Charlotte Tilbury, Kate Moss, and St. Germain, among others.

  • The Purple Lemonade at Summer at SAM: Sculptured Dance in 2017. Photo courtesy of the artist.
  • Ron Gatsby in a still from “Dance Off” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Idris Elba, directed by Jason Koenig and Ryan Lewis.
  • Members of the Purple Lemonade. Photo courtesy of the artist.
  • Ron Gatsby onstage at Seattle PrideFest. Photo courtesy of the artist.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness to me would be living without any other obligations other than to create beautiful pieces of work with my friends; and enough resources to create as our imagination allows.

What is your greatest fear

Being forgotten.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Negative thinking.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Approval seeking behavior.

Which living person do you most admire?

Kanye West.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My electronics. I have an unhealthy obsession with technology.

What is your current state of mind?

Peaceful.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Humility.

On what occasion do you lie?

When Iʼm trying to protect someone.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My teeth are crooked.

Which living person do you most despise?

Tomi Lahren.

What is the quality you most like in a person?

Confidence.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

5,6,7,8.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My Dad.

  • The Purple Lemonade. Photo courtesy of the artist.
  • The Purple Lemonade in The Odyssey at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Photo by @kris.p_lettuce.
  • Ron Gatsby in a still from “And We Danced” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Photo by Zoe Rain.
  • Ron Gatsby with members of The Purple Lemonade. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Follow Ron on Instagram.

Questions excerpted from The Proust Questionnaire.

Featured photo: Ron Gatsby. Photo courtesy of the artist.