Step into the world of ballet beyond the spotlight with our exclusive feature! Each edition offers a glimpse into the off-stage lives of your favorite dancers, showcasing their unique hobbies and passions. Discover the surprising and delightful activities that make these artists’ lives as captivating as their performances.
GRACE MORTON
Ballet Austin
Company Dancer
@grace_morton92
Essential item in your dance bag?
RAD Helix foam roller.
Movie you can re-watch till the end of time?
Fried Green Tomatoes. It came out the year I was born and is based on a fabulous novel written by Fannie Flagg.
Dancer who’s inspired you?
I grew up in Seattle and saw many PNB performances. I had the opportunity to see Carla Körbes onstage a few times, and had also taken a couple ballet classes from her during our summer breaks. Not only was she an incredible dancer and artist, but she was also kind and that made an impact on me as a young dancer.
Song/artist/playlist you’ve been playing on repeat?
“For the First Time in Forever” from the Frozen soundtrack (I have a three year old).
Least favorite dance step?
Sissonne battu.
How do you like to spend your time outside of dance?
I love reading and spending time with my daughter.
Best place to hang out in your company’s home city?
My favorite spot is Central Market on North Lamar. It’s family friendly and the cafe has great food.
Dream role?
I had the opportunity to perform my dream ballet role as Ophelia in Stephen Mills’ Hamlet.
Go-to coffee shop order?
Oat milk latte.
Essential post-show ritual?
After performances I enjoy seeing my friends and family out in the lobby at the Long Center where we perform. Once I get home, I have something to eat, take a shower, visit my daughter in her bed, take a melatonin, and read before dozing off. It can take a while for me to fall asleep after performances so I will usually do a body scan and some meditation while I rest.
ABOUT GRACE
Grace is from Seattle, WA. She received her early training at Dance Fremont under the direction of Vivian Little and Mary Reardon. In 2010 she continued her study in Oregon Ballet Theatre’s professional division and joined Ballet Austin TWO in 2012. After joining the company in 2013, Grace has performed lead roles in Mills’ The Nutcracker (Grand Pas, Snow Queen, and Marzipan), Hamlet (Ophelia), Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project, The Taming of the Shrew (Bianca), POE / A Tale of Madness (Sissy, and Mother), Carmina Burana, One/the body’s grace, I Am The Monument, and CARBON53. She danced the pas de deux in George Balanchine’s Rubies, Serenade, and Concerto Barocco. She has also appeared in works by James Gregg, Jennifer Hart, Gabriel Lamb, Pontus Lidberg, Lar Lubovitch, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Pam Tanowitz, and Christopher Wheeldon. Grace has danced for project-based company Performa/Dance and appeared in Zilker Theatre Production’s presentation of Oklahoma! as Dream Laurie. In the summer of 2019, she was honored to perform at the Jacob’s Pillow Opening Gala in Symbiotic Twin, choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.
Featured image by Anne Bloodgood
Images 1, 2, 4 and 5 by Anne Bloodgood
Image 6 by Hannah Neal
