Meet Will Coss, a South Bronx native and the executive producer of the 95th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which takes place Thursday (November 24).
During an interview with NBC New York, the Nuyorican talked about how he always wanted to do something creative with his life since he was a child but never would have guessed it would include planning the world’s largest parade – a parade he grew up watching himself.
“I always had a creative imagination,” Coss said. “I always knew I wanted to be in the creative arts, but I come from a blue-collar, working family from the Bronx and wasn’t sure how to find my way there.”
It was as a student at Fordham Prep High School where Coss said he fell in love with theater production. The play that resonated with him at Fordham was Godspell. He said that although theater soon became his life, he was more comfortable as someone who worked behind the scenes. He credits his mother for supporting his dreams.
“My mom…[would say], ‘Never stop dreaming’ and ‘Anything is possible,’” Coss said. “Those are the things you need at a young age – to believe that it’s possible.”
Coss said he is especially excited that Ballet Hispanico will be participating in the parade this year. Ballet Hispanico is an organization that celebrates and explores Latine culture through innovative dance and community engagement.
“We are striving every day to create new and unique opportunities to make sure we’re all represented,” he said. “Our job is to create an experience that gives people an opportunity to smile.”
The 95th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs live on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock at 9 a.m. ET.