Host Jesse Jackson welcomes actor-writer-producer Nikki J. Borger for a B-side “Set Listing Bruce” detour focused on theater, dance, and creativity. Nikki, originally from a small town in southwest Germany, describes early music training, her love of dance (from ballroom to salsa and musical theater), and the difficult, criticism-heavy culture of German musical theater school, including injuries and struggles with singing confidence. She recounts performing internationally, including a documentary theater project in Germany, Moscow, and Kyiv, then moving to Los Angeles to build film experience, shooting dozens of shorts, and writing/directing to earn festival recognition during the pandemic for a U.S. artist visa. Nikki discusses creating a sitcom, “NFTs,” and traveling after a denied green card, plus stories of meeting Pink Floyd’s Scott Page and seeing Springsteen at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.
https://nikijborger.com/
00:00 B-Side Detour Intro
00:37 Meet Nikki Borger
02:09 Growing Up in Germany
02:57 Early Music and Dance Roots
03:52 Ecuador Salsa and Career Pivot
07:06 Parents React and Health Wakeups
09:04 Why Dance Heals
10:31 Inside Musical Theater Training
12:39 Harsh Critique and Finding Voice
15:12 Creativity Over Cookie Cutter
22:12 Favorite Shows and Performances
25:51 From Europe to Los Angeles
27:56 Hollywood Shorts and Artist Visa
32:33 Storytelling Breakthrough
33:45 Booked For Shorts Fast
34:28 Writing Comedy Sitcom
35:32 NFTs Show Premise
37:14 Networking With Scott Page
39:14 Rock Hall Background Gig
44:26 Visa Denial And Travel
46:57 Shopping The Sitcom
47:45 Creative Goals And Impact
50:31 Thunder Road Mary Debate
57:50 Where To Find Nikki
59:27 Podcast Wrap And Plugs
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