What occurs when a dream turns into a dream lived? What can we do once we examine 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 along with her, crystal-clear is her curiosity and starvation to expertise much more. She’s now taking massive steps to fulfill that curiosity and dig into all the 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 – beneath 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 large transfer, some stand-out moments from her 15 years with ABT, and extra. She has a whole lot of knowledge to share with dancers at comparable factors on their very own paths – which she provides with notable grace and kindness. Let’s cross the mic over to her to listen to it!
You’ll be relocating to Vienna, to a complete new firm and nation. To start with, how are you feeling? I can solely think about the flood of complicated 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 house, my household, those that raised you. For me proper now, it’s holding all of these emotions.
However total, 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 pals. They’ve been such a robust basis, not solely artistically however emotionally as properly. I’ll hold that basis with me.
Actually, I really feel so at peace with all of it – however in fact it’s additionally exhausting. Each time I’ve encountered an enormous life determination, I’ve recognized that I’ve needed to observe that internal peace, that internal pleasure, that curiosity I’ve. It’s such a fleeting profession, and I noticed that I’ve to observe an incredible alternative. It’s good to have that little inexperienced gentle inside. Folks have even been telling me, ‘You’re going to find it irresistible…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 large 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 accomplished and to contemplate!
“I’ve simply been tremendous lucky to have nice mentors and confidants in my life! For this massive life determination, I reached out to folks I belief, these I do know have my finest 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 inventive initiatives at any time when ABT has off durations. But, I’ve nonetheless had this itch for brand spanking new progress. These conversations with trusted folks in my life have actually helped me higher perceive what a change might appear like. Remedy has additionally been such an necessary instrument; 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 damage…and then the chance introduced 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 assist. Sure, there is competitiveness and pettiness within the dance world, at occasions – however total, folks actually do need to assist. It’s such a small neighborhood!
I actually do hold coming again to neighborhood – and to trusting that intestine feeling, and in the precise timing (it’s all the things!). I’ve been inquisitive about exploring past my house 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 return alongside.
Anybody who’s fascinated about an enormous change: proceed to do the work, discover the place that need for change is coming from, and finally the celebs will align. Do be proactive – if you wish to work with somebody particular, or do a sure challenge, for instance. I at all times say to only let folks know you’re . Why not?
And strategy every determination with kindness. I consider that should you try this, then it will possibly’t actually be the fallacious determination…even when it doesn’t really feel like the precise determination. However should you’re doing it for the fallacious causes, then it gained’t be the precise determination.”
Fifteen years with ABT – that’s no small factor to say goodbye to. I wouldn’t ask you to encapsulate it multi functional 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 by way of lots in these 15 years. An enormous turning level was Alexei [Ratmansky] asking me to bop Aurora in Sleeping Magnificence, once I was 22 and a soloist.
To at the present time, I see that as one of the crucial extraordinary moments in my profession, to bop such a monster of a ballet…an actual ‘pinch me’ second. I couldn’t consider 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 a whole lot of the work – a whole lot of how I analysis and develop roles, as an example.
Romeo and Juliet, specifically, made me fall in love with ballet. I noticed that at 13 years outdated, and my younger mind broke – pondering, ‘Wow, I need to do that.’ Juliet is a task that I’ll at all times cherish. I obtained to return into roles like that, and into my very own in that method, as an iconic older era was transferring out. I obtained to see them carry out and study a lot from them.
One other key level was proper after COVID lockdowns, once I began actually coming into my very own as a inventive. COVID was necessary 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 method as a Principal Dancer.
And I’ve been a part of so many fabulous inventive initiatives within the metropolis, with folks – equivalent to Twyla Tharp and Molissa Fenley – who’ve seen me and carried me by way of. With respect to initiatives outdoors of the corporate, after COVID, each of them had a large affect on my profession. They modified the best way I strategy being on stage.
With all of that taking place, it’s truly at all times 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 might be a chance for me to return again and work with the corporate once more, bringing new progress again with me.
Trying again, it’s all the joys and the heartbreaks and the loves and the hates and the physique modifications, et cetera, et cetera. I’m making an attempt to only give all of it a large hug. I really feel really grateful!”
I’ve been struck by the sense of graciousness and humility that you simply appear to work and have interaction with. I at all times say that, past efficiency caliber, merely being particular person within the dance sector additionally issues. Do you suppose that the way you have interaction and work together by way of the method has had a component in the place you at the moment are in your profession, and even within the ultimate results of what you provide onstage?
“I believe it’s simply recognizing that we’re all doing the perfect we will. And in addition preserving perspective, reminding your self that there’s a lot happening on this planet, and the mundane pettiness doesn’t actually matter in the long run.
I assume in my expertise, I’m a happier particular person once I can bear 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 finest to be type, however I’m human!
I additionally at all times really feel higher once 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, hold our batteries charged – after which we will really serve.
Really feel what you are feeling, in fact, with one thing like rejection or somebody not having day and taking it out on you. Do get up for your self, with sensitivity and readability. Clear is type! I really feel so fortunate to have folks in my life who’re a secure area for me, and I do all the things in my energy to be that for them as properly. However I’ve additionally change into extra cautious about defending my very own vitality.”
What are you most wanting ahead to on this subsequent chapter of your life and profession – methods in which you’ll be able to serve and different inventive avenues you may discover, as an example? Do you might have any explicit visions in thoughts for what you’d prefer to expertise and attain?
“I’ll be working lots, dancing a improbable repertoire in a grand opera home. I’m extremely excited to be working with [Ferri] and the inventive workers and dancers that she is assembling. She has been a continuing 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 guess I’ll additionally discover different methods to broaden as a inventive, into different media and artwork types. Folks do it, I’ve discovered a solution to do it; anybody who is aware of me is aware of that I’m at all times snapping photos, I like images. I’m additionally inquisitive about choreographing and crafting, making issues with my palms.
On the identical time, the hustle of NYC is so intense, and it may be exhausting to constantly have time and area for that. I’ve heard that the tempo of life in Vienna is slower, and I look ahead to seeing what that may unlock in me.
I’m very excited to dwell in Europe, in Vienna – it’s so overseas to me throughout the board. I’ll be assembly new folks and experiencing so many new issues. I believe that my entire 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 schooling I’ll obtain might be large. 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.
