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.
LAUREN CHRISTENSEN
St. Louis Ballet
Dancer
@ldchristensen4
Essential item in your dance bag?
PerfectFit toe pads and Ibuprofen.
Movie you can re-watch till the end of time?
Charade starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Or Drop Dead Gorgeous!!Â
Dancer who’s inspired you?
Wendy Whelan.Â
Song/artist/playlist you’ve been playing on repeat?
I love show tunes and Broadway cast recordings. Right now I’m re-listening to Hadestown.Â
Least favorite dance step?
Ooh, definitely a gargouillade.
How do you like to spend your time outside of dance?
I love to go for runs in my neighborhood, watch movies with my husband, manage my fantasy football teams, and bake sweet treats!Â
Best place to hang out in your company’s home city?
Forest Park in St. Louis is an incredible place to hang out. Aside from being a beautiful park, there are museums and the zoo, all of which are free!Â
Dream role?
Juliet for sure!Â
Go-to coffee shop order?
Matcha lattes, hot or iced—either way it’s the perfect pick-me-up.
Essential post-show ritual?
Taking a long shower then settling down curled up on the couch with my dog and my husband enjoying a post-show treat!
ABOUT LAUREN
Hometown:Â Kansas City, MO
Joined the company:Â 2013
Training
Kansas City Ballet
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
The Joffrey Ballet School New York
Alonzo King LINES Ballet
Ballet Austin
Nashville Ballet’s 2nd company (guest performer)
Saint Louis Ballet RolesÂ
(listed by choreographer)
Gen Horiuchi:  Cinderella (Summer Fairy, Lead Roma), Coppélia (Coppélia, Prayer, Swanilda’s Friend), Giselle (Zulma), The Nutcracker (Coffee, Snow Queen, Soldier Doll, Lead Flute), Romeo & Juliet (Rosalind’s Friend), The Sleeping Beauty (Candide, Coulante, Jewels, Lilac Fairy Prologue Variation), Swan Lake (Lead Swan, Spanish, Russian), Amore Mio, Haydyn Cello Concerto, Head Over Heels, La Reve, La Vie, Passage, Romantique, Jazz a la Francaise, Moment, Personnage, TOYA/GEN Vol. 1 Appassionata (Tranquility)
Gerald Arpino:Â Light Rain (Pas de Deux)
George Balanchine: Allegro Brillante, Concerto Barocco, Rubies, Serenade, Western Symphony, Who Cares?
Christopher d’Amboise: Bedtime Stories
Brian Enos:Â Alice in Wonderland (Mouse, Ace of Diamonds)
Elliott Geolat:Â Regen
Tom Gold:Â Oasis
Kevin Jenkins:Â Moonlight and Sonatas
Emery LeCrone:Â Agile Episodes
Miriam Mahdaviani:Â Mispacha
Sean Sessions:Â Impressions, Strange Creatures
Twyla Tharp:Â Nine Sinatra Songs
Christopher Wheeldon: The American, Within the Golden Hour
Lori Wilson:Â Escape, Night Rise
Michael Uthoff: La Fontana, La Plaza, Reflections on the Water
Featured image by Kelly Pratt
Images 2 and 4 by Kelly Pratt
