WE CAUGHT UP WITH COMPANY DANCER CHRISTOPHER KELLEY (they/them, he/him) TO HEAR SOME OF THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT THEIR WORK AT CRB, RECOVERING FROM A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND SO MUCH MORE!
CRB: Tell us about your journey with Chicago Repertory Ballet.
Christopher: “My path to CRB started on a whim when I was rehearsing another project at Dovetail in the winter of 2020 right before the pandemic. A friend I was rehearsing with told me I should go take company class because Wade was looking for a dancer for the season and I started rehearsing The Rite of Spring that afternoon! I was primarily a dancer in more Jazz/ theatrical style, but I've always been drawn the the challenge of classical ballet. Dancing with the company has been a dream come true and I can't wait to see it finally come to life.”
CRB: What are some of your thoughts about this season’s repertoire?
Christopher: “I enjoy that this season were tackling a little bit of everything. The jazzy, technical choreography of Anderson Sweet will satisfy anyone looking for some tricky pointe work and musicality. Immortal Beloved has some of the most beautiful partnering I've ever seen. Taylor's piece (what I'm most excited to dance) is irreverent and playful and perfectly compliments all of the other pieces that evening and something as epic and angsty as Rite of Spring is a challenge for all of us in the best way.”
CRB: What was the quarantine experience like for you?
Christopher: “I used most of quarantine to really go back to the basics with my technique. I was riding such a high last winter that when everything was taken away, I was so worried I would lose of the progress I had made. I took out all of the furniture in my living room, bought a few slabs of Marley and cheap wall mirrors from target and turned my apartment into a studio. I started taking ballet classes really late in life and have always felt like I was playing catch up. This time alone has been tough, very challenging mentally, but I actually have really appreciated having a moment to take time to myself. I restarted from square one and took my time focusing on the details I had missed over the years.”
CRB: Do you have a cross-training routine?
Christopher: “I swear by Bikram Yoga. Terrible man, excellent workout.”
CRB: What 5 things in your dance bag are vital?
Christopher: “Tiger Balm, bouncy ball, headphones, dried Mangos, more dried Mangos.”
CRB: Do you have a favorite CRB memory?
Christopher: “I loved going to Kalamazoo to perform Taylor's piece with the company. As the new dancer around, it was lovely to spend the drive and the down time getting to know everyone while we weren't dancing.”
CRB: Any hobbies?
Christopher: “During quarantine, I developed a love for the quiet practice of making myself a big meal. I used to hate cooking, but after taking some time to figure it out, it's the thing that calms me down the most now!”
CRB: Do you have a favorite piece to dance?
Christopher: “Anderson Sweet: living those classical dreams!:”
Come and see Christopher perform in The Rite of Spring along with the rest of the company July 23 -25. Get your tickets below!