Hometown: Newton, Kansas

Current city: Wuppertal, Germany

Age: 51

College and degree: Wichita State University (Wichita, Kansas); BFA Dance

How you pay the bills: I pay the bills with my monthly income! Yes, from dancing! 13 salaries in a year! And health insurance included.

All of the dance hats you wear: Dancer, choreographer, and teacher

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Describe your dance life in your….

20s:  

From ages 18 to 23, I studied dance at the university and also at a private studio. I worked very very hard because I started so late. My total focus was on learning the basics and building my strength. Then, with the aid of a private scholarship, I moved to NYC at age 23 and embarked on my dream of dancing professionally.

30s:

New York was very good for me, but very tough. I decided that I needed to find “a real job” and go to graduate school. As it turned out, this was a bad decision. I was literally thrown out. So, at 32, I went back to NYC for another try, and this time, with new determination and confidence in myself, I auditioned for and was hired by Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. After a 3 year culture shock, I finally began to understand how I fit into my new job and surroundings.  

40s: 

These were great years traveling the world with the company and making a new, but very concentrated life and discipline, for myself. This was not easy. I had a new language to learn, and quite frankly a new art form. No schooling in the States could have prepared me for this. It was like starting over again. Still. I would not have traded this time for anything. My forties shaped my life.

50s:  

The fifties present different challenges. I am still doing it every day! But I must prepare differently. I no longer take my body for granted! I must be kind to it. But I am very happy. Perhaps contented is a better word. I am settling into my maturity both as a dancer and as a man. I like myself more!!

A turning point:  

My break with graduate school was very difficult. I was truly wounded for a long time. And also my departure from the United States to Germany. My whole life changed in every way. 

Major influences:  

Many people have contributed to who I am. I have been very lucky. Traveling, experiencing different cultures around the world, and working with other dancers from very diverse cultures and personalities have all contributed to how I see and respond to the world. Living life to the fullest means that I continue to be influenced every day!!! And of course, being a part of the wonderful, wacky world of Pina Bausch.

Mentors:  

I was very lucky to have people believing in me and supporting me in my desire to be a dancer. Growing up in the midwest presented its own challenges, but I am stronger for it.

Photo: Ursula Kaufmann

Here in the United States, the idea of a multi-generational dance company is still seen as a novel idea. It is still very much not the norm in modern dance in the U.S. Did Pina focus on the multigenerational aspect of her company? Currently, what is the age range of dancers in the company? Why was this important to her work?

The youngest of our dancers is also the newest, 24 years old. The oldest dancer, who is 65, has been with the company from the beginning. I would say the median age of a company member is 42. Not only do we have different ages, but also different ethnicities and body types. This diverse richness helps contribute to the work of Pina. She used these differences and transformed them into her body of work. Pina brought each individual to the attention of the observer for who they are as an individual. Her language is universal.

 Photo: Donata Wenders

As a dancer in the company for over 20 years, what has been your growth as a performer over time? How has a longtime commitment to the company benefited the work?

Yes, committing myself for 20 years to performing the work of a single choreographer is quite unique. The challenge that I have been given to rehearse and perform this work is amazing. I continue to learn and grow year after year as an artist. There is a certain trust that develops over an extended period of time. This trust is very important. I first had to trust Pina. And Pina learned to trust that I would perform her work to her standards. And the trust amongst the dancers is also incredibly important. We all hold each other to a very high level. ALL of this takes time and experience. TRUST. LOVE. PRIDE. DEDICATION. This is our success.  

When I began dancing for Pina I was 32 years old. Now at age 51, I bring different values to my work. My work is far more informed. I understand more of Pina's unique language and how to speak it. As a more mature person, I have a different set of life experiences that also go a long way to inform my work. This was important to Pina. She wanted to see YOU onstage. One's individual experiences were what she based all of her work on. This HONESTY. To be comfortable in your own skin. To be you. This is mentally and physically the most challenging kind of work. To be honest with oneself from the beginning to the end. It can be so draining. 

What do you miss most about her?

I miss her LOVE. The love she that she shared with each and everyone of us. Her passion for the work and for the company. Her love for her art. For being the best that one can be. To not settle for mediocrity. Her amazing eyes and the way she looked at something as if it was for the very first time. Her candid honesty. Her devotion to us and her trust. Her humility.

Her fascination for our own truth. Her obsession for details. Uben, uben, uben.

Role of teaching in your career:   

I love teaching, and I am beginning to do a bit more of it in the recent years. It is wonderful to give back some of what I have learned during my long career as a dancer.  

What is on your calendar for 2015?   

The Company still has lots of touring booked. In August we will finally have, 5 years after Pina’s death, new choreographic work. The company is continuing and is finding its way without Pina. New, young dancers are being hired and there is an expanded vision for the future.  

Is there a daily company class? What kind of class is it? What other movement practices are important to you and the care of your body?   

Yes, the company is in class everyday. This is usually a 90 minute ballet class. When we are pressed for time for whatever reason, a 30 minute to one hour class must make do. More recently we have added  modern classes.   

I also swim, bike , and train at a fitness studio. Depending upon what we are rehearsing or performing, I will cater my training schedule to what my body needs.  

Photo: Bettina Stoss

Final advice:   

Don't give up. Investigate all the possibilities. Patience. Listen. Never stop learning!

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