Eddie Martinez        Photo: Donata Wenders

From Eddie Martinez:

As a dancer with Pina Bausch 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. 

To read Eddie's full artist profile, click here.

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