I’ve shot with Alexandra Light many times over the years and we recently did a virtual photoshoot together using the information superhighway.
Alexandra has been a dancer with Texas Ballet Theater for a some years now and recently helped unionize the dancers of the company. (Which we love)
This post features an interview I did with Alexandra as well as photos we created from our virtual shoot. You’ll see the original photo we shot through the internet using Alexandra’s cell phone, and then you’ll see my edited photo. (It’s pretty amazing what you can achieve using an iPhone and Photoshop nowadays)
-Here’s an introduction to Alexandra Light in her own words;
“I was born and raised in Washington DC, where I completed my ballet training at Maryland Youth Ballet (with summers at SAB, SFB, Kaatsbaan, Houston, etc). I spent one year in Houston Ballet II and joined Texas Ballet Theater in 2012, where I still dance now as a principal dancer. I am an emerging choreographer and consider myself an antidisciplinary artist, with movement based and visual based practices. I have done many different things, including commercial modeling and fine art gallery representation, as well as achieving a bachelor's degree in psychology, all while dancing professionally. I love ballet and storytelling through dance but I think the industry is in a lot of trouble if it doesn't start to make some serious changes. I am always an artist advocate, as well as concerned with how art can positively impact the world around us. “
-You just helped unionize the dancers of Texas ballet Theatre. Why is it important for ballet dancers to be unionized & what was the process like of making it happen?
“It is really difficult for me to imagine why, in our very unique situation as ballet dancers, both staff and dancers wouldn't want their ballet company unionized, because having dancer input and codification of existing rights benefit all. It is so important because it essentially guarantees that dancers and staff both have the communication and the tools they need to do the best job they can. Many dancer contracts lack in huge ways, whether it be pay to increase with inflation, bodily autonomy, or gender disparity in pay, etc. By unionizing, we figure out as a group of dancers what makes the most sense for us now and how we can build on it to go forward. The process was long but honestly extremely powerful; our team at AGMA were the best and educated us every step along the way. For the group of us (and I am lucky to have had many supportive dancers in our group concerned with making these positive changes) it was really beautiful to see everyone come together, research, connect, and be in solidarity as workers.”
-Do you think being a union leader as a dancer might affect your casting & career?
“I definitely worry about it from time to time but honestly, at this stage in my career, if my doing what I think is right and supporting my fellow dancers puts me in jeopardy, then so be it. I would say to the people who look to squash those of us trying to make positive change in a career that really, really needs it, to think about the sustainability of ballet long term- staff and dancers *have* to work together to make things better. As someone who works in the arts in more ways than just ballet, it is so apparent how badly the ballet world lags behind other art forms. Unionization is a great way to address many of the huge issues ballet companies face as we enter the mid 21st century.”
-You’re a choreographer yourself. What are your thoughts on the lack of female choreographers in the ballet world?
“I would love to talk about the challenges of the under-representation of female choreographers! It is hard to feel like no one wants you doing what you want to do, and even if they don't say it, the numbers make it clear. Dance Data Project just reported its numbers for the previous season, and only 22% of works in the top 50 largest ballet companies were choreographed by women. 22%!! and that was *down*!! from something like 27% I believe in the last report! Like, what?!?! People love to ignore this issue and say 'yes we care about gender disparity BUT etc etc etc...' and then not actually take action, and I just think it is crazy. I think there is some narrative that by promoting women being the storytellers, we are saying 'down with the men', and that couldn't be further from the truth. As the saying goes, rising tides raise all ships! We will all benefit from a more holistic and inclusive ballet world, and the storytelling is a huge part of that. I am happy to be a part of the change, though I really feel by 2023 we should have had this figured out by now?!? It is very powerful after a performance I’ve put on, or a choreographic premier, pretty much every time I hear from a peer or a student that watching me create has inspired them to take action in their own lives, even if they feel alone or unrepresented.”
-As a choreographer, what’s the process of creating dance work for you?
“Creating a new dance work always starts with specific inspiration, whether abstract or more concrete. I love looking into history, science, or mythology for my works, and I am such a fan and genuinely enjoy research. Then comes the great music hunt. I look forward to working with creators of music (like my partner!) more, but often I am finding music that I can get permissions for and license when appropriate (I never want to make people work for free). Then I listen listen listen a thousand times, working out the composition of a work by writing down the phrases of the music in a notebook. From there, I get more specific with movements, sections, etc throughout the music in my notations. That is all before I work with the dancers! I like to really, really have a good idea of the bones of a work before I come into the studio. However, even with the bones laid out, once I get in there with the dancers, it's a new world. I use my outlining and notation as a great guide, but I don't let it keep me from getting inspired on the spot by the dancers, or what looks good and feels good for their bodies. I just love it, all of it.”
-Something I see often with people who want to create art, is that they procrastinate the task because they’re afraid of their creation/art being bad. Any tips how to deal with that as an artist?
“Yes this is such a thing! I deal with it too from time to time. I approach it in two ways: Sometimes, especially for ballet dancers, we think we have to do it all, always, all the time- sometimes you're not actually procrastinating, but you actually need a rest. So if I'm realizing my procrastinations are actually a tad more on the burnout side, I try to give myself nothing to do, or reconnect to nature, just take time to feel free in my mind- it can lead to the best pushes to start a new project! And for the other times, when I truly am procrastinating out of fear of "failure"- you gotta just take the jump! I remind myself that even failure can be beautiful, and that by accepting new challenges in the face of fear you build true confidence.”
You can keep up with Alexandra Light on her website and socials;