Georgina Pazcoguin

Georgina Pazcoguin, known as The Rogue Ballerina, is an American dancer, actress, author, and activist recognized for her contributions to ballet, Broadway, and diversity advocacy. After training at the School of American Ballet, Pazcoguin joined New York City Ballet as an apprentice and advanced through the corps de ballet, becoming the first Asian American woman promoted to soloist in the company's history.

During her career with New York City Ballet, Pazcoguin performed featured roles in original productions such as "Romeo + Juliet," "Ocean's Kingdom," Alexei Ratmansky's "Voices" and "Russian Seasons," and Kyle Abraham's "The Runway." She also appeared in revivals including George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" as Dewdrop, Balanchine's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as Hippolyta, and Jerome Robbins' "West Side Story Suite" as Anita. Her work extended to Broadway, where she debuted in the revival of "On the Town" and portrayed Victoria the White Cat in the Broadway revival of "Cats," earning a Chita Rivera Award nomination for Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show.

Beyond the stage, Pazcoguin co-founded Final Bow for Yellowface with choreographer and activist Phil Chan, a diversity initiative focused on eliminating racist Asian caricatures and stereotypes from ballet productions. The campaign's pledge was signed by more than 100 dancers and industry leaders, influencing companies worldwide, including Paris Opera Ballet, to adopt more inclusive practices. This advocacy led to her recognition as one of the Kennedy Center's NEXT 50 change makers, a group of leaders shaping the future of art and culture.

Pazcoguin authored the memoir "Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina," which explores her experiences with body image, racial exclusion, and institutional barriers in the dance industry. After two decades with New York City Ballet, she pursued new creative projects, including co-producing the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical "Here Lies Love," a work reflecting her Filipino heritage. Pazcoguin has also appeared in the television series "Fosse/Verdon," the film "N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz," and performed in the revival of "Nine" at the Kennedy Center. Through her work as a dancer, producer, author, and advocate, Pazcoguin continues to influence ballet, Broadway, and diversity initiatives in the performing arts.