DANCER SPOTLIGHT: CARRIE WEST

Considering the number of leading roles you've held in classical ballets, do you have a preference for classical over more contemporary roles? Why or why not?

Classical. I was trained in classical ballet. I enjoy telling stories. I find more artistic depth in classical ballet. Contemporary is more abstract. You're given movement first and then expected to develop your own feeling. With classical ballet there’s a story and suddenly, your Juliet (in Romeo and Juliet) and you’re thinking, how would I feel in Juliet's situation?

You can be okay, moderately good, at a lot of things or you can choose to be great at a few things. As a dancer you need to find your niche. While I can perform contemporary pieces well, I feel I am much better with classical ballet. Other dancers here are stronger with contemporary, but of course are very good with classical ballet too. It's nice to have dancers who are great at different things, especially here where we do both contemporary and classical ballet. It makes a more well-rounded company and we can rotate leading roles by who is better suited for that style.

How has your perspective changed over the years? How have you changed? How has ballet changed?

You are always growing as a dancer. The ballet world has changed. Companies are experimenting more. 

How did you start dancing? Do you remember a moment where you realized you wanted to dance professionally?

I took class with the Sacramento Ballet when they had just become a professional ballet company. They were limited on professional dancers, so they utilized a lot of their students in the performances. Performing on stage like that really pulls you in to that world. 

How do you prepare for a role?

Building a role is about so much more than just remembering the choreography. You begin with repetition, not only to remember choreography but to build stamina. You must have stamina so your focus isn't on just pushing through the steps. Then, you have the freedom to develop the character emotionally, add your personality, your own touches. You have to ask "What am I trying to portray?"

How do you prepare before going onstage?

Of course you have your standard warm-up, putting on makeup...I prefer to get ready in a quiet room so I can gather my thoughts and  emotions. If it is a role like Juliet, you need to have the energy to become that character emotionally. Also, the role will take you in, as long as you are ready for the first scene, your character will develop naturally with the story line. Each scene will help you progress emotionally.

What would you like to do after your performing career?

I would like to teach. It is important that there are teachers with professional experience. If principal dancers don't go back to teach, then the level of this art will decline. Students, especially the older ones who have the technique and are considering dancing professionally, need to have teachers that can show them the artistry that is involved with ballet, who can teach you how to pace yourself to get through a three-act ballet, the things that only come with experience.

Any advice you could give young dancers?

Think for yourself.  You should be attending class for yourself, not for your teachers. There is a point where you need to take control and be responsible for your own progression. No one is going to walk you through it. Instead of just accepting a correction, analyze how the correction applies to you personally. Students should realize that each dancer has their own physicality, and what may work for one dancer may not work for another.

You moved here from California. What do you like best about Columbus? What do you like the least?

I enjoy the seasons. There aren't any seasons in Sacremento. There are no tulips in spring. It's so hot in the summer that everything turns brown. In the fall, the leaves don't turn colors, they just turn brown and fall off. I never had snow when I was younger so I like it, but I must admit the winter seems to get longer every year here. But still, then spring comes, and it makes you appreciate more. 

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have a Cocker Spaniel named Margeaux and she’s my baby. She's 12 and a half. Dmitri (Suslov, former BalletMet dancer and current Academy instructor) and I got her right after we got married.

Anything you would like to share that your fans might not know about you?

Um...I like sci--fi. I grew up watching Star Trek. I like to read-I just finished reading Water for Elephants, which was very good.

Photos: Will Shively