PROFILE February 4, 1991 Issue

"Dance has made me rely on God more"

with contributions from Kristen Wenrick

The grace of ballet rests on the grit of hard work. To keep the vision during hours of practice, to perfect movements by returning to the basic principles—all these elements serve as larger symbols for dancer Kristen Wenrick of the Louisville, Kentucky, Ballet. In this interview Kristen explores some of the spiritual lessons she has learned in the process of her work.

Tell us something about what's involved in ballet—rehearsing and the rest that goes on behind the scenes.

When people look at ballet, they see what's onstage, and I think sometimes they don't know all that goes into it. When we first start putting together the pieces for a performance, choreography usually takes place in the first two weeks of a four-week rehearsal period. Sometimes things are very concentrated. You're working with choreographers, with deadlines, with time limits. You need to learn things fast and efficiently and retain any corrections or changes—especially if you won't be rehearsing that piece again for a few days.

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"Dance has made me rely on God more"

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