Nikki J. Borger on Theater, Dance, Storytelling, and Finding Joy Beyond Springsteen

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