6 Questions with Atlanta Ballet’s Stephanie Hall

Gwinnett Native to Dance “Dream” Role in Atlanta Ballet World Premiere

Meet Stephanie Hall, a Gwinnett County native and flourishing young dancer. At just 22 years old and a fellowship student in Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education, she will be performing the breakout role of her dancing career in Atlanta Ballet’s season finale performance of MAYhem on May 16-18 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Learn more about Stephanie and her role in this weekend’s performance in her Q&A below.

About Stephanie

Age: 22

Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA in Gwinnett County

Schools: Graduated from Collins Hill High School, then spent one year studying dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.

At what age did you begin dancing ballet? What sparked your interest?

My parents put me in ballet classes at age 3, and later I began to take classes with Atlanta Ballet. At one point when I was younger, I quit taking dance lessons, and that was actually the unhappiest I’ve ever been. I immediately regretted making that decision, and started dancing again as soon as I could. Dance always has its ups and downs, but I love it.

When did you decide you wanted to dance professionally?

I decided my senior year of high school that I wanted to dance professionally, so I went to Point Park University in Pennsylvania to major in dance. I changed my mind after spending a year at school and auditioned for the Nashville Ballet. I stayed there for a year before I decided I wanted to move closer to my home in Gwinnett County, so I auditioned for the Fellowship Ensemble with Atlanta Ballet and I made it! Being here has provided me with so many great opportunities.

How do you feel about being featured in artistic director John McFall’s world premiere of THREE this weekend?

It’s an honor to be part of a performance with such amazing dancers. They’re practically celebrities to me because I’ve looked up to them as long as I’ve been dancing in Atlanta. That’s definitely where my nerves came from at first, because I look up to them so much, but the nerves faded after I began to get involved with the role.

I have really enjoyed working with John McFall as well, and experiencing the journey my character in the ballet has gone on. What I love most about John’s work is that it isn't so much about the steps, but it’s about what is conveyed to the audience. SOUL, ARTISTRY AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTION put forth by a dancer can make such an impact on the viewer. It's about connecting with the audience and giving them the satisfaction of relating to the piece in their own way.

I know I connect to my character role because I feel like this season as a whole has been a transformation for me as a dancer. I have felt the transition from student to artist really unfold. This piece has been such a great experience and I'm more the honored to be a part of it.

What is the ballet about, and what “part” are you playing?

This ballet is about dreaming, and about these three dreamers.  I’ll be dancing the part of “mind and intelligence.” I start off only studying and gathering information because that's all I know how to do. I am very much like a robot. Throughout the ballet I witness a beautiful dance between another dreamer and man. The duet has an impact on me and speaks to me, and I slowly begin to transform and develop feeling. I surprise the audience at the end but I won’t tell you how!

What are your future dance-related plans?

I actually really love choreography and the ability to express your creativity through movement. I would love to look more into that, and I really enjoy improv-style dancing as well. I’m actually improv-ing in the performance this weekend, so that’s really exciting for me! Last summer, I taught a few classes to the baby dancers, so teaching is a possibility too. Life is scary and exciting right now because I’m still figuring out my life and exactly what I want to do, but I definitely think dancing is a step in the right direction.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests other than dance?

Fitness and working out are also two of my passions, I love going to the gym and staying in shape. It helps me feel better as a person and it’s also important for me as a dancer to stay in shape. I’ve also gotten into biking recently, but I really hate roller blading! Other than that, I enjoy going to concerts and listening to music. Picking a favorite genre of music is hard, I love listening to pretty much anything, even heavy metal!

See Stephanie in MAYhem this weekend only. For tickets or more information, visit www.atlantaballet.com.

Friday, May 16 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 17 – 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 17 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 18 – 2 p.m.