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.
JOURNIE KALOUS
Indianapolis Ballet
Company Artist
@journie_kalous
Essential item in your dance bag?
A golf ball!
Movie you can re-watch till the end of time?
Go Figure.
Dancer who’s inspired you?
Sara Mearns.Â
Song/artist/playlist you’ve been playing on repeat?
Dave Matthews Band.
Least favorite dance step?
Développé devant.Â
How do you like to spend your time outside of dance?
I teach at competitive dance studios where I enjoy choreographing solos and groups. I also do a lot of dance competition judging, which lets me travel all over the country.
Best place to hang out in your company’s home city?
I live downtown so Mass Avenue is always my go-to!
Dream role?
I once danced Liberty Bell [in Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes] as a guest artist when I was a teen, so my dream is to one day perform it again as a professional and do it with the training and knowledge I have now.
Go-to coffee shop order?
I’m more of a Diet Coke girly.Â
Essential post-show ritual?
Epsom salt bath and some foam rolling before bed!Â
ABOUT JOURNIE
Journie took her first dance class at the age of 2 and joined her first competitive dance company when she was just 5 years old. Working with several amazing Chicagoland mentors, she was the recipient of many national scholarships and the winner of several regional and national titles.
After receiving a scholarship to the Ballet Chicago Summer Intensive at the age of 12, Journie decided to switch to an all-ballet focus and joined the Ballet Chicago Studio Company on scholarship that fall. Journie spent 4 years as a member of Ballet Chicago under the direction of Daniel Duell, former New York City Ballet principal dancer, and Patricia Blair (Répétiteur of the George Balanchine Trust). During her time at Ballet Chicago, she was lucky enough to perform several roles in many of George Balanchine’s prestigious ballets, including Liberty Bell in Stars and Stripes, My One And Only in Who Cares?, Russian Girl in Serenade, Principal Girl in Rubies, 1st and 2nd Violins in Concerto Barocco, Square Dance, Soloist in Swan Lake, Principal Girl in Theme and Variations, Walpurgisnacht, Divertimento No.15, and Sugar Plum Fairy.Â
In addition she was privileged to work closely with Paul Boos (Répétiteur of the George Balanchine Trust), Simone Messmer (Miami City Ballet), and Ted Seymour (Susanne Farrell Ballet).Â
After her time at Ballet Chicago, Journie joined Fort Wayne Ballet as a Trainee and appeared in Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Nutcracker. Journie has received additional ballet training at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as well as the School of Milwaukee Ballet. She has also spent extensive time training in contemporary and modern with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Elements Contemporary Ballet, and Visceral Dance Chicago.
Journie joined the Indianapolis Ballet as a Professional Level Program student in 2021 and was promoted to apprentice the following season. She is humbled and honored to be a company artist for the 2024–25 season.
Image 1 by Sonja Clark
