BWW Interviews: Krissy Johnson, This Dancer's Life

Now in her third season with Nashville Ballet, KrisSy Johnson is a definite audience favorite. The Louisa, Kentucky, native has studied at Performing Arts Inc. in Ashland, Kentucky, and holds a bachelor of arts degree from Point Park University, and before becoming a company members was a trainee and apprentice at Nashville Ballet.

"I feel extremely lucky to be doing what I do in a beautiful city that appreciates art and that I get to work with some of the most amazing people and artists I have ever had the pleasure to meet," she says.

With the company's winter series - Director's Choice - just behind her (Krissy was one of the six dancers featured in the company's North American premiere of Twyla Tharp's The Story Teller), there's a very good chance she's spending some richly deserved time off this week.

But luckily, for BroadwayWorld.com fans, she somehow found time from the crazy, hectic pre-performance frenzy leading up to Director's Choice, KrisSy Johnson found the time to respond to our queries and to give us a glimpse into "This Dancer's Life." Enjoy!

What was your first introduction to dance as an art form? My first introduction to dance as an art form was seeing it on television when I was a little girl. It was around Christmas time and it was a production of The Nutcracker. Soon after that, my mom took me to a ballet performance of Hansel and Gretel...from then on I was hooked. She signed me up that summer and I've never looked back.

What was your first real job as a dancer? My first real job as a dancer was when I was asked to join NB2 right after graduating college. Two years after that, Paul Vasterling asked me join the company as an apprentice. I'm now on my third season as a company member at Nashville Ballet.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in dance? I knew the summer I turned 16. I went away that summer to train with Liz Hartwell and Clark Reid of Louisville Ballet. I knew after those weeks of intense professional training that I wanted this as a career.

Who is your dancing idol? It's kind of hard to say who my dancing idol is. I respect my fellow dancers, those who have gone before me, those who dance with me and those who will dance after me. I love finding things about their dancing that is personal and unique to them. So many artists have helped shape the dancer I am today, but if I have to give an answer, I would say Margot Fonteyn and Nashville Ballet's own Rachel Ellis.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here? I had a good feeling about this city the first day I moved here. I love this city because it's such a great and diverse place to be an artist. You are constantly surrounded by music of all genres, there are wonderful art galleries, film festivals and such great supporters and lover of the arts. The audiences are great and it is so wonderful to see our support grow throughout the years I have been here.
What is your dream role as a dancer? If you could dance any role...what would it be and why? My dream role would without a doubt be Juliet. The role is so pure and artistically challenging. There are no tricks to the part. It's completely accomplished by the purity and depth of one's artistry as well as their dancing. It takes more than a technical master to pull this part off, which makes it all the more worthwhile and challenging.

What is the brightest spot on your resume...what role/work is your most favorite? I think I have a tie between "Helena" from A Midsummer Night's Dream and "Spring" from Carmina Burana. I love dancing Helena because she was so much fun to portray, plus I love story ballets. Spring was also amazing because the role was so regal, elegant and beautiful. Plus the score for Carmina Burana is absolutely amazing. [Editor's Note: Nashville Ballet revives Carmina Burana for an April 29-May 1 run at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. See www.nashvilleballet.com for details.]

What's the biggest misconception people have about dancers? The biggest misconception I think would be that our lives are all glitz and glamour of the stage. Most people see us when we are onstage in all of our glory. They don't seem to realize that those few nights we get to perform are our reward for the countless days we spend slaving away in the studio. They don't get to see the pain, frustrations and the not-so-pretty behind-the-scenes fiascoes that go on!

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? Good question, I think Sarah Jessica Parker would play me, only because I love her work and people always tell me that I resemble her a lot.

What's your favorite work created for dancers to perform? Two of my favorite works of all time are Salvatore Aiello's Rite of Spring and Balanchine's Serenade.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the world of dance, who would you choose and why? I would have dinner with Margot Fonteyn, George Balanchine and Gelsey Kirkland

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own dream...what would you say? I would say that you have to realize the sacrifices that you will undoubtedly have to make in order to pursue your dream and know that the road will not be an easy one. There are disappointments, let-downs and hard times, but if you really love it, the really good moments make all of the bad ones go away.

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