Interviews with Jugglers

Jay Gilligan, May 1995

On the phone with me is the talented and brooding Jay Gilligan, who I am about to interview.

Shana

Well, you're about to graduate from Arcadia High School. Will we be seeing you on the Internet anytime soon?

Jay

No, you won't, because I have better things to do, like push the envelope of juggling.

Shana

(?!) Let's talk about juggling. When did you start?

Jay

Tonight? Or in general?

Shana

In general.

Jay

Oh, say 1988.

Shana

What first interested you in juggling?

Jay

Well, I've been unicycling for 8 or 9 years now, and I went to unicycle meets and there were people juggling there and I said hey, that's neat-o.

Shana

What jugglers do you like to watch?

Jay

Anthony Gatto, Dana Tyson, Michael Moschen, Jeff Mason... Sean McKinney, he rocks. (said with an English accent)

Shana

Tell me about the 4-club Mills Mess. And the 5-club Mills Mess.

Jay

OK, write this down: Why bother. It's been done. What is the point of doing any Mills Mess trick. Even 5-club Mills Mess. Although I would really respect Mandy if she could do that.

Shana

Do you have any favorite club passing partners?

Jay

Sure...Jeff Mason, Rob Vancko, Shana Miller...

Shana

What are you ambitions as a juggler?

Jay

(after much thought) To juggle good.

Shana

Do you ever want to be a professional juggler?

Jay

No.

Shana

So, Jay, what IS it that makes you such a good juggler? Is it the lollipop? The fingernails? The video collection?

Jay

Definitely not the video collection. Good juggler compared to who? ....My rejection of tradition. Deny limitations!

Shana

Is there anything else you would like to say to the thousands of jugglers who read rec.juggling all over the world?

Jay

Yes. The Artist Formerly Known As Prince is totally brilliant. If you want to be a successful juggler you should be inspired by, learn from and blatantly copy the way Prince has lived his life. Can I tell them something else?

Shana

Sure.

Jay

I'd like to congratulate Morton on his newfound sense of accepting all kinds of love.

Shana

Thanks for the interview, Jay...

The Interviews page is maintained for the Juggling Information Service by Andrew Conway. Suggestions and submissions to conway@juggling.org.

© 1996 Juggling Information Service. All Rights Reserved.