9 Dancers on What They're Grateful For

November 7, 2018

There’s no question that life as a dancer can be difficult—long hours, rigorous rehearsals, and the risk of rejection and injury can take a toll. But dancing also gives us so much to be thankful for! In honor of Thanksgiving, we asked nine dancers to share what they’re most grateful for this year. From overcoming adversity to new artistic opportunities to growing families, these artists have a lot to celebrate.

Kathryn Boren, American Ballet Theatre

Kathryn Boren as Giselle, with Dan Westfield as Albrecht (photo by Chung Ling Tsen, courtesy Kimberly Giannelli)

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to perform my first full-length principal part ever: the title role in Giselle, with Ballet Frontier of Texas. It was terrifying but awesome, and was made even more special because my family lives nearby. It’s easy to forget how nice it is to have your parents around when you’re living away from home. My mom drove me to and from the theater and completely took care of me—I didn’t have to worry about anything except my performance. Plus, my grandparents got to see me dance for the first time in about 10 years.”

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