 |
| PNB principal dancers Carrie Imler and Jonathan Porretta in Twyla Tharp's Opus 111. Photo © Angela Sterling. |
When did you start dancing? Who got you involved?
I started dancing when I was 7. It was my 7th birthday present from my mom and my aunt. You know when you’re little and everyone always asks you what you want to be when you grow up? My answer was always, “A dancer, a dancer, a dancer.” Nobody knew where that came from. Finally my mom and my aunt were like, “Let’s just enroll him in Ballet/Tap Combo 1 and if he likes it, he likes it, and if not — happy birthday.” So ever since I was 7, I’ve been dancing.
I had gone to see The Nutcracker with my mom when I was real little and she said I fell asleep before the curtain even went up. I was out and I slept the entire time! But that’s the only connection any of us can figure out that I had with ballet, was that I went to The Nutcracker and fell asleep.
Who inspires you and why?
Baryshnikov has always been the biggest influence, forever. Since I was little, it’s always been about him. He’s the greatest dancer still. But my friends inspire me here [at PNB] everyday. I can just list by the million of them. Carrie Imler is just the most amazing technician! Karel Cruz is gifted and special and a wonderful man, too. Chalnessa [Eames] is an amazing performer, it just comes so naturally to her, and Kaori Nakamura is a star. I could list more, I just I love them all. They inspire me every day in class and rehearsals. Also my mom inspires me just to be a good human being, to achieve, and to be a nice person.
What has been most challenging about Twyla Tharp’s choreography? What has been most rewarding?
She makes you think, you have to think. She has all these words. I can’t even think of them all, but we break things down, we speed them up, we repeat things. She makes you think with all this stuff, and then on top of it, it’s very athletic. Her stuff is very, very, very athletic which is hard stamina-wise but in the end, it’s so rewarding. It was a dream getting to work with her. [In 2008] she was here for 8 weeks. I mean, she’s one of the last greats in this world, of this era.
Best memory from this season so far?
Honestly, that first show that I did this year, Petite Mort, because I ended last year on a really wonderful note of Coppélia. Then I had knee surgery, then rehab, and then I came back and it was like I was gone for awhile. That first show of Petite Mort that I did was really wonderful. I was really excited again to be back on the stage and I was having so much fun.
I just feel new ever since my knee surgery [last June]. It was amazing. I had the best surgeon…the best doctor…and the most amazing physical therapist. I felt like Jennifer Lopez with my team of specialists. They just were amazing. That was my first surgery I ever had.
Best Seattle restaurant:
I have a bunch. I love, love Anchovies & Olives, the Ethan Stowell restaurant. I love Anchovies & Olives. I actually love Tavolàta, too. I love anything Italian. I mean, Italian anything is my favorite. Purple [Café and Wine Bar] -- we have so many great restaurants.
What’s the last good movie you saw?
I just saw the other night at home Love Happens. It takes place in Seattle, which made me really happy, because I get so excited when there are movies about Seattle. It was cute.
Most prized possession:
My most prized possession is my grandpa’s dog tags from when he was in the army.
What is your greatest strength?
I try to be a good listener. But my boyfriend might disagree with that. I’m working on trying to not let things bother me that really shouldn’t be bothering me. Smile. Smiling is my greatest strength, laughing.
Biggest weakness?
I don’t know, there’s a bunch I’m sure! You should ask my loved ones! What would Sean say? He’d say I don’t listen, probably.
What do you miss most about New Jersey?
I miss Italian pastries. Those are the best in Jersey. The best cannolis. Part 2 of this interview with Jonathan Porretta will post next week. For casting and more information about ALL THARP (Nov. 5-14), visit PNB.org.
