What occurs when a dream turns into a dream lived? What can we do after we test off our wildest imaginings? Cassandra Trenary, as soon as a starry-eyed younger ballerina dreaming of changing into an American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Principal and dancing iconic canon roles, has now reached these heights.
Talking together with her, crystal-clear is her curiosity and starvation to expertise much more. She’s now taking huge steps to fulfill that curiosity and dig into the entire artwork and life that she will be able to. On April 11, with all of the love towards her present colleagues and work, she publicly introduced her departure from ABT to bop with Vienna State Opera Ballet – below the route of Alessandra Ferri. After 15 years with the corporate, she’s Austria-bound.
Dance Informa caught up with Trenary to listen to about how she’s feeling at this crossroads, how she’s making ready for the massive transfer, some stand-out moments from her 15 years with ABT, and extra. She has loads of knowledge to share with dancers at related factors on their very own paths – which she gives with notable grace and kindness. Let’s go the mic over to her to listen to it!
You’ll be relocating to Vienna, to an entire new firm and nation. Initially, how are you feeling? I can solely think about the flood of advanced feelings!
“It’s bittersweet, in fact – there are such a lot of emotions. I’m very excited concerning the future and stepping into a totally completely different route. On the identical time, it’s leaving dwelling, my household, those that raised you. For me proper now, it’s holding all of these emotions.
However general, I stroll into the studio with a lot gratitude. I really feel so fortunate to have spent the time I’ve with these colleagues and buddies. They’ve been such a powerful basis, not solely artistically however emotionally as properly. I’ll maintain that basis with me.
Actually, I really feel so at peace with all of it – however in fact it’s additionally laborious. Each time I’ve encountered an enormous life resolution, I’ve recognized that I’ve needed to comply with that internal peace, that internal pleasure, that curiosity I’ve. It’s such a fleeting profession, and I spotted that I’ve to comply with a tremendous alternative. It’s good to have that little inexperienced gentle inside. Individuals have even been telling me, ‘You’re going to adore it…all these fears now will dissipate, and also you gained’t look again.’”
I’d love to listen to extra about methods you’re making ready for the massive transfer. For instance, are there any explicit sources or networks that you simply’re discovering useful? I think about that there’s a lot to be finished and to think about!
“I’ve simply been tremendous lucky to have nice mentors and confidants in my life! For this huge life resolution, I reached out to individuals I belief, these I do know have my greatest curiosity at coronary heart – and that was the start of the choice. I used to be feeling this sense of ‘oh, gosh, I believe I’m prepared for a change, it’s time for it – however it’s additionally so scary.’
It actually has been a creatively fulfilling life in NYC. For instance, I’ve been doing cool artistic initiatives at any time when ABT has off durations. But, I’ve nonetheless had this itch for brand new progress. These conversations with trusted individuals in my life have actually helped me higher perceive what a change might appear to be. Remedy has additionally been such an essential device; it actually takes psychological fortitude to do what we do.
And watching Alessandra [Ferri] coach at ABT…then having time to mirror whereas recovering from an harm…and then the chance offered itself. Every thing simply felt aligned and right. I additionally simply needed to make the ask and be courageous!
On the sensible finish of issues, I’ve positively educated myself on life and dancing in Europe. I’ve reached out to dancers I do know on the market. Some even reached out to me, they’ve been so beneficiant. I’ve felt very surrounded by help. Sure, there is competitiveness and pettiness within the dance world, at instances – however general, individuals actually do need to assist. It’s such a small group!
I actually do maintain coming again to group – and to trusting that intestine feeling, and in the precise timing (it’s every part!). I’ve been interested by exploring past my dwelling that’s ABT for years now; I’ve had that curiosity stirring inside me. However I’ve needed to be affected person and take the time for that proper factor to come back alongside.
Anybody who’s interested by an enormous change: proceed to do the work, discover the place that need for change is coming from, and finally the celebrities will align. Do be proactive – if you wish to work with somebody particular, or do a sure venture, for instance. I all the time say to simply let individuals know you’re . Why not?
And strategy every resolution with kindness. I imagine that for those who try this, then it will probably’t actually be the mistaken resolution…even when it doesn’t really feel like the precise resolution. However for those who’re doing it for the mistaken causes, then it gained’t be the precise resolution.”
Fifteen years with ABT – that’s no small factor to say goodbye to. I wouldn’t ask you to encapsulate it multi function reply, however is there something specifically you’d like to spotlight – notably particular roles, classes, relationships?
“I do know, I do know! It’s been such an insane time to be a part of all of it…we’ve been via rather a lot in these 15 years. An enormous turning level was Alexei [Ratmansky] asking me to bop Aurora in Sleeping Magnificence, after I was 22 and a soloist.
To today, I see that as one of the extraordinary moments in my profession, to bop such a monster of a ballet…an actual ‘pinch me’ second. I couldn’t imagine that I had the privilege of dancing it on this firm. I’m so grateful to [Ratmansky] for molding me into the artist I’m; he actually helped form how I strategy loads of the work – loads of how I analysis and develop roles, as an illustration.
Romeo and Juliet, specifically, made me fall in love with ballet. I noticed that at 13 years outdated, and my younger mind broke – considering, ‘Wow, I need to do that.’ Juliet is a task that I’ll all the time cherish. I acquired to come back into roles like that, and into my very own in that means, as an iconic older era was shifting out. I acquired to see them carry out and study a lot from them.
One other key level was proper after COVID lockdowns, after I began actually coming into my very own as a artistic. COVID was essential for everybody, as crushing and devastating because it was. Then I used to be promoted; I got here again into the studio full-time to attempt to discover my means as a Principal Dancer.
And I’ve been a part of so many fabulous artistic initiatives within the metropolis, with individuals – resembling Twyla Tharp and Molissa Fenley – who’ve seen me and carried me via. With respect to initiatives exterior of the corporate, after COVID, each of them had an enormous affect on my profession. They modified the way in which I strategy being on stage.
With all of that occuring, it’s really all the time felt new and thrilling – and this transfer is an extension of that high quality. I’ve requested myself, ‘The place to from right here, after I’ve danced these iconic roles?’ Hopefully there will likely be a chance for me to come back again and work with the corporate once more, bringing new progress again with me.
Wanting again, it’s the entire joys and the heartbreaks and the loves and the hates and the physique adjustments, et cetera, et cetera. I’m making an attempt to simply give all of it an enormous hug. I really feel actually grateful!”
I’ve been struck by the sense of graciousness and humility that you simply appear to work and have interaction with. I all the time say that, past efficiency caliber, merely being a very good particular person within the dance sector additionally issues. Do you assume that the way you interact and work together via the method has had an element in the place you are actually in your profession, and even within the last results of what you supply onstage?
“I believe it’s simply recognizing that we’re all doing one of the best we are able to. And in addition preserving perspective, reminding your self that there’s a lot happening on the earth, and the mundane pettiness doesn’t actually matter ultimately.
I assume in my expertise, I’m a happier particular person after I can keep in mind all of that and never get caught up in all of it. I’ve seen that in others as properly. As a Principal Dancer, you’re setting an instance – whether or not you need to or not. So I do my greatest to be type, however I’m human!
I additionally all the time really feel higher after I’m beneficiant, type, take the eye off myself, and remind myself that it’s not about me – with out overextending myself in service. I’ve actually come to see that we should handle ourselves, our well being and our peace, maintain our batteries charged – after which we are able to actually serve.
Really feel what you are feeling, in fact, with one thing like rejection or somebody not having a very good day and taking it out on you. Do arise for your self, with sensitivity and readability. Clear is type! I really feel so fortunate to have individuals in my life who’re a secure house for me, and I do every part in my energy to be that for them as properly. However I’ve additionally turn into extra cautious about defending my very own power.”
What are you most wanting ahead to on this subsequent chapter of your life and profession – methods in which you’ll serve and different artistic avenues you would discover, as an illustration? Do you’ve gotten any explicit visions in thoughts for what you’d prefer to expertise and achieve?
“I’ll be working rather a lot, dancing a unbelievable repertoire in a grand opera home. I’m extremely excited to be working with [Ferri] and the inventive employees and dancers that she is assembling. She has been a relentless supply of inspiration for me, as a younger dancer and all through my profession, and her need to liven up the stage is palpable. I really feel so honored to be part of her chapter on the Vienna State Opera.
But, I wager I’ll additionally discover different methods to broaden as a artistic, into different media and artwork kinds. Individuals do it, I’ve discovered a solution to do it; anybody who is aware of me is aware of that I’m all the time snapping footage, I really like pictures. I’m additionally interested by choreographing and crafting, making issues with my fingers.
On the identical time, the hustle of NYC is so intense, and it may be laborious to constantly have time and house for that. I’ve heard that the tempo of life in Vienna is slower, and I look ahead to seeing what which may unlock in me.
I’m very excited to reside in Europe, in Vienna – it’s so overseas to me throughout the board. I’ll be assembly new individuals and experiencing so many new issues. I believe that my complete world will broaden, into all new territory. It simply will. I’m curious the way it’ll all shift. However I do know that the training I’ll obtain will likely be huge. I’m thrilled about that!”
Catch Trenary at her final season on the Metropolitan Opera Home – discover extra data and tickets right here!
By Kathryn Boland of Dance Informa.
