Today we’d like to introduce you to Robbie Taylor.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The beginning of my story starts in my childhood in Placerville, California, a small town just northeast of Sacramento, where I had always felt connected to my artistic and creative side. Growing up, my dad worked for a Ford dealership, but despite having a steady job, he couldn’t afford the cost of most after-school programs. As much as I wanted to take dance lessons, it just wasn’t feasible. Determined to pursue my passion, I turned to YouTube and began teaching myself the basics of Western-style dance techniques. Before long, I had developed an understanding of various styles, including ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. A few years later, a friend from school noticed my hidden talent. She was a student at a local studio in El Dorado and encouraged me to join our high school’s dance and theatre program. Thanks to her support, I signed up. That friend, Madison, changed my life, and I am forever grateful to her.
High school flew by, especially after I decided to graduate early after my Junior year. Afterward, I started taking classes at the local community college extension of Folsom Lake College (FLC). To my surprise, FLC had a dance program, and by the following spring, I was enrolled in their Associate Degree program in Dance Studies. I auditioned for their college collective, the MOSAIC Dance Company, and was accepted. Over the next five years, I immersed myself in the program, enrolling in every dance class available and performing in local shows each semester at the Harris Center for the Performing Arts with MOSAIC. Under the mentorship of Professor Debie Worth, I embraced leadership roles within the MOSAIC Dance Company. I began as a representative and eventually became Co-President alongside my best friend, Allison Groff. Allison and I ambitiously planned a company tour to New York City during our time in these roles. With the support of the Folsom Lake College Foundation Committee, we brought this vision to life, culminating in a performance at ADAPT Brooklyn. This experience expanded the company’s audience and created unforgettable memories for our team.
Alternatively, during this time, I also had the opportunity to perform with the Sacramento Ballet during their 2017-18 season. This became a pivotal experience in my development as a dancer because I could not only participate as a guest dancer but also take company classes and work directly under the company’s artistic director, Ron Cunningham. Balancing my college coursework with the demands of professional performance pushed me to grow both artistically and personally and was truly rewarding. Performing alongside such talented dancers was an honor, reinforcing my passion for dance.
Soon after completing my contract of being in the ensemble, I deviated from ballet to professional contemporary and joined Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre (SCDT) under the direction of Jacob Gutierrez-Montoya. I found sanctuary in the company, where we were challenged with bringing local non-profits to the stage through visual and performing arts. It was also during my time in SCDT that I fell in love with collaborating on large-scale contemporary productions like “Embodiment” and “OUT.”
After being with the company for a short while and after vigorous work and dedication, in 2019, I finally completed my Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Dance Studies. Although I was interested in dance this whole time, and while dancing professionally, I knew I always wanted to do another area of study. While doing this, I underwent the trial and error of changing my second major from English to History to Business to Psychology to finally finding my heart (and enough credits) to complete my Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Sociology. However, this pushed back my official completion of the program to the Spring of 2020.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, I moved from Sacramento to Orange County for a year to study at CSU Fullerton and later transferred to San Diego State University (SDSU), where I worked under Professor Joseph Alter, Eric Geiger, Jess Humphrey, Anna Brown Massey, Dr. Chuyun Oh, and Leslie Seiters. Under their mentorship and guidance, I found my way to completing my BFA in Dance in the Fall of 2022. In the dance program at SDSU, I found it fascinating to immerse myself fully in the research of post-modern dance, somatics, and contact improv. I found it freer than the constriction of previous training in classical ballet and lyrical movement.
I continued my research in the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences (MALAS) program at SDSU, where I expanded my focus to include Dance, Psychology, and LGBT+ Studies. During this time, I also completed internships with Club Obsession, TURN San Diego, and Phx/y, which further deepened my understanding of community-building and queer advocacy. It was within the MALAS program that I created the With;OUT Dance Project and curated the concert “Voices” in collaboration with my cast. Since then, I have published my research, continued the project beyond SDSU, and dedicated my time to creating a movement space for artists to collaborate on multidisciplinary projects.
Currently, I am excited to continue my collaborate effort on future performances, workshops, and events around San Diego. The With;OUT Dance Project remains a cornerstone of my artistic practice, allowing me to explore and celebrate queerness, community, and the transformative power of embodied praxis and movement.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve faced many obstacles along the way, many of which were deeply tied to navigating my identity as a queer individual in predominantly heteronormative spaces. I can recall early moments of bullying in elementary school that stayed with me, as well as more subtle but persistent questioning of my sexuality in professional settings. These experiences often left me feeling as though I needed to prove my worth beyond my identity, which was both exhausting and motivating.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of challenges. Transitioning to Zoom for classes and rehearsals felt isolating, and I struggled to maintain my connection to my art. Around the same time, I moved from Sacramento to Southern California, a transition that was emotionally taxing. Part of that move was a necessary step to leave behind a traumatic chapter of my life as a victim of domestic violence. Processing the trauma of that experience while trying to stay focused on my studies and creative work was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I was also seriously injured during that time, and the uncertainty of whether I’d ever fully return to dance was devastating. Dance had always been my anchor, and the idea of losing that was unbearable.
Earlier this year, in March, I faced another heartbreaking moment when a romantic partner of mine passed away unexpectedly. The grief of that loss compounded everything else I had been working through, but it also gave me a deeper understanding of how precious and fragile life can be.
These moments tested me in ways I never could have imagined. And yet, through it all, I’ve found ways to turn adversity into growth and purpose. These challenges have deepened my empathy and strengthened my resolve to create spaces where others feel safe, valued, and empowered to express themselves authentically. While the journey hasn’t been easy, it’s shaped me into the artist, collaborator, and advocate I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the heart of my work is the belief that dance can be a catalyst for healing, connection, and transformation. I am the Director and co-founder of the With;OUT Dance Project (WDP), a multidisciplinary platform that combines movement, storytelling, and advocacy to create spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and empowered. WDP grew out of my research during my time in the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences (MALAS) program at SDSU. It began as a way to explore the intersection of queerness, grief, and embodiment and has since evolved into a dynamic community-driven initiative.
What makes WDP unique is the collective’s commitment to vulnerability and authenticity. Through this project, I’ve worked with artists from diverse disciplines to create site-specific performances that are deeply personal yet cathartic. One of our most notable productions, “Voices,” was a collaborative concert that emerged from shared experiences of loss, identity, and resilience. It was a safe space for both the performers and the audience, fostering genuine connection and dialogue around topics often left unspoken.
I am most proud of how WDP has become a sanctuary for those navigating difficult emotions and experiences. Whether through performances, workshops, or open studio practices, the project invites participants to explore their full selves and find strength in their stories. As someone who has personally experienced loss, trauma, and the complexities of navigating identity, I approach my work with empathy and care, ensuring that every creative process is collaborative and affirming.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to weave together artistic practice with advocacy. My background in LGBTQ+ studies, sociology, and psychology has informed my approach to creating inclusive environments where participants feel a genuine sense of belonging. I’ve also had the privilege of working across various community-oriented initiatives, such as TURN San Diego and Club Obsession, which have further deepened my commitment to using art as a form of activism and community building.
Ultimately, the With;OUT Dance Project isn’t just about dance—it’s about creating a movement, both literally and metaphorically, that challenges societal norms, celebrates individuality, and fosters a progression towards transformation. Watching how this work has touched others and brought people together is what I am most proud of. It’s a reminder that art has the power not just to express but to provide a safe-queer space to research and find radical freedom.
What matters most to you? Why?
In the With;OUT Dance Project, what seems to matter to me most as an artist is creating a space that allows for vulnerability, healing, and authenticity. I oftentimes think about using dance and art as a means to support individuals through grief, trauma, and self-exploration, especially within marginalized communities like Queer and Alternative spaces. I truly am focused and dedicated to empowering others, allowing them to feel seen and heard, and fostering a collective sense of artistic freedom.
Why this stands out to me is the way I can intertwine personal experience with the work—like how my journey with grief and connection to my hardships have shaped the way I approach collaboration and storytelling. My art isn’t just about performance; it’s about creating a foundation where transformation can happen in people’s lives.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robert_taylor_01/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertedwardtaylorjr?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/in/robbietaylor01
- Other: https://linktr.ee/robbiet01
Image Credits
Colby Barrett, Alex Beltran, & Mako Sharklava
