MOVING PEOPLE: Michael Cusumano & Madame Olga Spill the Tea on Their Secret Obsessions, Favorite Neighbourhoods in NYC and More

Cusumano:

I felt the presence of another energy starting to emerge when I was a teenager dancing with American Ballet Theatre. I would just become this Russian woman out of nowhere. The name Olga popped into my head early on without a thought. This was over 20 years ago. 

Olga:

I (Mikey) can answer for Olga. This may sound a bit strange but she actually doesn’t know much about who I am. She has her own life and existence and is pretty unaware of mine…as of yet anyway.

Cusumano:

I would say I was intrigued and taken aback by Olga’s confidence and bluntness, but also her underlying kindness. She seemed complex yet she knew who she was.

Olga:

Again, I (Mikey) will answer for Olga. Olga has not met me, but if she did, I would hope she thinks I’m a good dancer, a good teacher, and a good human, above all.

Cusumano:

Close ones know that I am mad for roller coasters. When I was a kid I was a member of ACE, which stands for American Coaster Enthusiasts, a monthly roller coaster magazine.

Whereas few know that I am also secretly obsessed with “all-you-can-eat” sushi buffets.

Olga:

Close ones know that I (Olga) am mad for a lobster dinner, whereas few know that I am also secretly obsessed with 80’s American music, especially Whitney Houston!

Cusumano:

anything rainbow-themed. I love dressing like a sparkly unicorn.

Olga:

I have many turbans. Too many to count. This is my signature item. 

Cusumano:

15 minutes (I roll out of bed, take a quick shower, stuff my face with something, make coffee, and leave my house)

Olga:

I take about 2 1/2 hours to get ready. Of course, I always look stunning when I wake up in the morning, but I just like to take my time.

Cusumano:

Midtown, because that’s where most of my best friends live, and where the restaurants and bars we hang out at are located.

Olga:

Midtown, because it's where I often teach, meet friends, and run into people I know, which makes me happy!

Cusumano:

a spicy margarita or any kind of tequila drink. I am a tequila guy. 

Olga:

There is only one clear answer to this. Russian vodka, of course.

Cusumano:

funny, charismatic, and loving. My circle of friends have a deep love for each other, and we all have big personalities. It's always a riot hanging out together, and I love to laugh. 

Olga:

all personalities. If someone is open, I want to be open with them. If someone is shy, I want to be open with them. I want to experience all humans and help bring out their truest selves.

Cusumano:

"Cut to the Feeling" by Carlie Rae Jepsen. I go absolutely nuts.

Olga:

any Whitney Houston song! I am hypnotized whenever she sings!

Cusumano:

my first opening night on Broadway in the original cast of All Shook Up. It felt like my entire world had opened up, and I was completely free. It was magical.

Olga:

The Dying Swan I did for a Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS performance. It was my first time in NYC on a Broadway stage in front of thousands. I felt so connected to the people in the audience.

Cusumano:

Agrippina Vaganova. She created such a beautiful schooling of ballet, and I would love to be in her presence.

Olga:

There is no question about it. Vaganova is the one.

Cusumano:

watching someone's life change for the better. For me it's not about dance. Dance is a vehicle to reach people, love deeper, and help them find their own voice.

Olga:

instilling confidence and love for oneself, and the evolution to be kinder, more loving, and become more empathetic humans.

Cusumano:

I had a young girl write to me once after class and tell me that all her life she never felt good enough, thin enough, perfect enough et cetera, and when she took my class, all of those negative thoughts left her head and she was free for the first time.

Olga:

Someone once said to me that they were thinking of hurting themself, then they took my class and decided to love themself instead.

Cusumano:

singing, playing the piano, writing, doing improv, and folding both of my ears in half to where my ears are literally inside my ears. It’s hard to explain. I'd have to show you.

Olga:

whipping out some old-school 80's jazz. Don’t ask me where I learned it, because we only had one channel on Russian TV back then. I guess I'm just a natural.

Cusumano:

take all of my friends and loved ones on a fabulous cruise!

Olga:

go to the roulette table in Vegas and try to double it. Just kidding — sort of. Actually, I would help my family out first, and then see what I have left over. My family is the reason I'm blessed to be on this planet.

Cusumano:

fun and rewarding. I have connected with some of the most beautiful people through social media and developed friendships across the world. That is a gift I would not have without social media.

Olga:

wonderful. I love to have fun and interact with people from around the world. My hopes of bringing joy to ballet and people is important to me, and social media helps me do that.

Cusumano:

I trusted my director Emily Schuman. When she asked to film Olga and me, I was a little nervous about what would happen. She always assured me that everything was okay and to just be myself. Emily helped give me a voice I didn't realize was always inside of me.

Olga:

it is a way to share my heart and love with the world.

*Watch the full short film here.

Cusumano:

exciting and emotional. People may not realize that When I'm Her was filmed over a period of about 3 years. It was quite a journey of discovery that figured itself out over time. It's been a beautiful ride, and I’m grateful for my director Emily’s consistent belief in me and Olga.

Olga:

heartwarming. Being able to capture human moments that I share with my students on film has been a gift.

Cusumano:

In 2022 I see a lot more Madame Olga teaching and appearances. She wants to travel and teach at every dance school and dance company she can. I also want to make more films. I would love to make a feature-length comedy for Madame Olga like Mrs. Doubtfire, Austin Powers, or Pee-wee's Big Adventure. That's my dream!

Olga:

In 2022 I see myself teaching a lot more, traveling to different parts of the world to share my love for dance and humanity, encouraging more kindness and deeper love for ourselves and each other and, of course, more turnout!

Cusumano:

something everyone knows like the Macarena or YMCA so we could all jump in and have a grand old time. I wouldn’t want to throw ballet at them and scare them away ;)

Olga:

There is no doubt about this answer. They would need to watch Giselle. This would give the aliens an understanding of the immeasurable capacity humans have to love. What a gift that would be for the aliens to see that humans can be so miraculous.