Essential item in your dance bag?
Colin Ellis: A protein shake or bar to keep me fueled on long rehearsal days, a pilates ball and bluetooth headphones to use in my warmup, and blue Rubia wear leg warmers.

Emily Fuggett: Bobby pins, Advil, a foam roller, a lacrosse ball, and warm-ups.

Movie you can re-watch till the end of time?
CE: A tie between Disney’s Fantasia and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

EF: I always enjoy rewatching KiKi’s Delivery Service. I love the character KiKi and feel the story is very relatable to young ballet dancers moving to new cities to begin their careers.

Dancer who’s inspired you?
CE: I grew up watching David Halberg and got to see him perform live multiple times, so he was my first inspiration as a young dancer.

EF: Sara Mearns of New York City Ballet. She has incredible technique and expresses so much passion in her movement.

Song/artist/playlist you’ve been playing on repeat?
CE: I’ve been reading a biography of Sergie Diaghilev, so I’ve been listening to a lot of Stravinsky’s early ballet works—The Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring.

EF: Two songs I always have to listen to while driving in the car are “Deep Red Bells” and “I Wish I Was the Moon,” both by artist Neko Case.

Least favorite dance step?
CE: Frappés. More specifically, frappé derriere.

EF: Promenade with your leg in a développé à la seconde. 

How do you like to spend your time outside of dance?
CE: Playing board games, reading biographies and fantasy novels, trying new restaurants, cooking, and watching TV. 

EF: Working out at the gym, taking walks in the park, canoeing, trying new foods, cooking, and hanging out with friends. 

Best place to hang out in your company’s home city?
CE: Forest Park, as it is home to both the St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum. Both are top tier and admission is free! What’s not to love? 

EF: Creve Coeur Lake. It is peaceful for taking a quiet stroll in nature or canoeing on the water.

Dream role?
CE: Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.

EF: Tall Girl in George Balanchine’s Rubies. We performed this ballet my first season with the company and it was so much fun, I would love to perform it again!

Go-to coffee shop order?
CE: I’m actually not a coffee drinker, so I would order a strawberry smoothie.

EF: A pink drink.

Essential post-show ritual?
CE & EF: Making a high protein meal (usually salmon or chicken with rice and vegetables), rolling out on a foam roller, taking an Epsom salt bath, and getting to bed for some much deserved rest. 

After 6 years together, Colin and Emily are now engaged to be married in June 2025. Congratulations to the happy couple!