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.
MATTHEW RUSK
Saint Louis Ballet
Company Dancer
@mrusskie93
Hometown Glory
Which local café or restaurant fuels you before rehearsal or after a performance?
Pastaria. I love their pistachio ravioli!
Where’s your favorite spot in your city to unwind outside of ballet?
Forest Park.
Which local landmark feels like it could be a stage backdrop for a dream role?
The Grand Hall at Union Station.
Hidden gem or hangout in your ballet company’s home city?
City Museum. Maybe not “hidden” but there is nothing like it, anywhere.
If you were playing tour guide, what’s the most iconic place in your city?
The Gateway Arch.
What’s the most Instagrammable spot in your city, and why does it capture its spirit?
Art Hill and the Grand Basin at Forest Park. The site is breathtaking and also a historic landmark of the city.
In Focus: Nutcracker
What’s your favorite Nutcracker memory, on stage or off?
Seeing Lauren Anderson’s farewell performance as the Sugar Plum Fairy (Houston Ballet).
What’s your dream Nutcracker role (even if you’ve already danced it)?
Snow King.
What’s one holiday indulgence or ritual you look forward to every year?
Eggnog!
Inspirations & Setbacks
What’s your favorite dance movie of all time—and why does it inspire you?
The Turning Point. The late ’70s were such a golden age of ballet.
Who is your biggest dance inspiration (past or present)?
Anthony Dowell.
Can you share the moment you realized you wanted to be a dancer?
Seeing the Mariinsky Ballet tour The Sleeping Beauty to New York. It showcased the magic and grandeur that ballet can be.
What’s your personal practice philosophy—how do you approach growth in the studio?
Visualize the growth you want and manifest it.
Biggest struggle you’ve faced in your dance journey, and how you overcame it?
Rejection. There were many more companies that I did not hear back from versus companies I did. But all you really need is one chance, and to make the most of it.
What’s one thing you wish you had known as a young dancer?
To stay humble in your successes and positive in your setbacks.
Rapid-fire Round:
Least favorite ballet step?
Grand plie in center.
Essential post-show ritual?
Epsom salt bath.
Current song/artist you have on repeat?
“MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer.
ABOUT MATTHEW
Hometown: Tuscon, AR
Joined the Company: 2016
Training:
Ruth Page School of Dance
Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy
School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre,
Boston Ballet School and the Royal Ballet School (summer studies)
Saint Louis Ballet Roles (listed by choreographer):
Gen Horiuchi: Cinderella (Prince, Lead Roma, Orientalia), Coppélia (Franz’s Friend), Giselle (Peasant Pas), The Nutcracker (Sugarplum Cavalier, Snow King, Chocolate, Coffee), Romeo & Juliet (Romeo), The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Desire, Bluebird, Jewels), Swan Lake (Prince Seigfried, Russian), Balanchivadze, Classique, Haydyn Cello Concerto, Jazz a la Francaise, La Vie, Passage, Moment, More Morra, Romantique, St. Louis Blues, TOYA/GEN Vol. 1 Appassionata, Wake Up!
Gerald Arpino: Reflections
George Balanchine: Allegro Brillante (principal), Concerto Barocco, Rubies, Square Dance (principal), Who Cares? (principal)
Rebecca Cornett: Espouse
Brian Enos: Alice in Wonderland (Dodo Bird, Jack of Diamonds)
Tom Gold: Faure Fantasy, Oasis
CiCi Houston: Escapades, Shhh…
Kevin Jenkins: Moonlight and Sonatas
Emery LeCrone: Agile Episodes
Miriam Mahdaviani: Mispacha, Correlazione
Peter Martins: Ash, Hallelujah Junction
Nilas Martins: Fasi d’Amore
Monique Meunier: Baile Latino!
Sean Sessions: Strange Creatures
Amy Seiwert: By Any Other Name
Twyla Tharp: Nine Sinatra Songs
Christopher Wheeldon: The American, Within the Golden Hour
Michael Uthoff: La Plaza
Featured Image: SLB Dancer Matthew Rusk. Photo by Pratt Kreidich.
Image 1: Dancers Rebecca Cornett and Matthew Rusk. Photo by Kelly Pratt.
