with Madeleine Purcell

Madeleine Purcell trained at Connecticut Dance School before being accepted to ABT’s JKO School, where she trained for three years. She spent a final year training in the Balanchine style at Ballet Academy East. Upon graduating she accepted a contract with the Sarasota Ballet, where she danced for two seasons.

After a season spent as a freelance dancer in NYC, she was invited to perform with Tivoli Ballet Theatre in Copenhagen for their world-premiere production of Yuri Possokhov’s The Snow Queen. She split her time this season between Copenhagen and Oklahoma City Ballet, where she will be returning next season.

Of course there are some things we’re all collectively experiencing but what have been the most major life changes for you?

Well, our season in Oklahoma ended abruptly in March, and at that point I had only been back in the States for three months. Since my boyfriend and I had a lease that didn’t end until May, we decided to stick it out in quarantine until the lease finished. His family is in LA and mine is in Connecticut so it was safer at the time in Oklahoma than either location. We planned on moving to a different rental for next season, as I had a job teaching over the summer in OK, but that plan got put on hold.

How are you staying positive and motivated dancing at home?

Giving myself permission to not force myself to take class every day. It makes the days I feel inspired to dance that much more rewarding. I would rather move to enjoy moving and creating, than worry too much about losing my technique. I’ve had injuries where I didn’t dance for longer than the time we’ve been in quarantine. I’m confident that I’ll be able to regain what technique I “lost.”

For me it’s usually stamina that’s hardest to recoup, and I try to get my heart rate up by either choreographing or playing around with phrases from variations. I end up sweating and out of breath, but exhilarated!

Have you made any adjustments to your meal plan? Any favorite quarantine meals or snacks?

Not really– we need to fuel our brains as much as our bodies. Trying to compensate for not having a full day of dance by not eating as much, is a surefire way for me to feel grumpy, groggy, and I end up with wicked headaches. At home in Oklahoma I got really into making gnocchi from scratch– it was very soothing and satisfying to make a delicious meal from a potato, an egg and some flour!

These days tzatziki has been having a moment in my lunches– whether it’s with vegetables or pita bread. I find that the protein in the yogurt keeps me full, and the garlic and dill make it tasty. I’ve also been drinking a lot more water! When you don’t have to stand and dance in rehearsals for more than 3 hours, it’s a lot easier to fit in bathroom breaks.

Are you coping with any anxiety or more challenging emotions? What are you doing to work through them?

Oh completely. It’s nerve-wracking not to be able to plan for the future, whether that’s finding housing for next season, deciding how to get back to Oklahoma, or if we will even start back in 2020. But for me, worrying about things I can’t control is unhealthy and relatively useless. I have to remind myself that there’s still around three months before our pushed back start date. Before October, I can’t worry too much about the what-ifs.

Are you worried about staying in shape? What would you say to dancers who are concerned about losing technique or “getting out of shape”

I think everyone has that fear in the back of their mind. It might seem like an impossible task, but I’ve found that forcing yourself to take class in either an undesirable or unsafe area will lead to burnout. We are absolutely all in the same boat!

Keep moving and stay active, even if it’s not ballet. Honestly you’re probably missing the rush of endorphins from dance, and that can make you feel totally different. I usually end up feeling pretty sad if I don’t move every day.

How are you filling your extra time?

Well, at the moment I don’t have any extra time! I’ve taught a couple of privates on Zoom, and donated two master classes to schools from Brooklyn to Brazil.

Since June, I’ve been teaching four classes a week virtually to 3-7 year olds, a variations class for advanced students, finding time to take class myself, and balancing three university courses (I’m a student at Johnson & Wales online). I’m pretty busy! I even have the opportunity to teach a few limited in-person classes through my first dance school’s summer program in August. I’m also choreographing for the first time for one of the levels to perform, hopefully at the end of next Spring.

I’ve been able to teach more and more, because it’s something I find really rewarding and enjoyable. I miss in-person classes, of course, but I’ve found that connecting through Zoom can be beneficial. I made my own group of fellow professionals and friends that I give a class to once a week. It’s open to whoever wants to join and it’s a good way for me to feel that community to motivate me to keep on dancing!

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with Carolyn Lippert

Carolyn Lippert was born in Boston, Massachusetts and trained at Severance Ballet Conservatory with her mother, Carla Stallings-Lippert, and at the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.  

Lippert joined the ABT Studio Company in September 2011 and performed with American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2013.  She went on to dance with The Washington Ballet for their 2013-2014 season and San Francisco Ballet for their 2014-2015 season. 

She joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in December 2015. 

Here’s how Carolyn is staying Healthy at Home:

Of course there are some things we’re all collectively experiencing but what have been the most major life changes for you?

I’d say one of the biggest life changes for me right now has been the lack of physically seeing people. I know that’s something everyone is collectively experiencing, but I feel like not seeing anyone (besides my boyfriend) in person deeply effects me. I miss connecting with people. 

How are you staying positive and motivated dancing at home?

It’s honestly really hard for me. I’ve been stuck in a 450 square foot apartment the entire quarantine, and doing class in my tiny kitchen is far from inspiring.

I’ve been trying to stay motivated and positive, but there are some days that not taking class is better for my mentality than struggling through yet another class with my kitchen table as a barre and constantly kicking walls. 

Have you made any adjustments to your meal plan? Any favorite quarantine meals or snacks?

I haven’t made many changes to my eating, I’ve always just eaten when I’m hungry. I naturally eat pretty healthy, but if I crave something I go for it!

I’ve started cooking more during quarantine and have pushed myself out of my comfort box as a chef (it didn’t take much!).

I’ve also rekindled my love for hummus after overeating it a few years back, so I’ve been dipping whatever I have (veggies, pretzels, etc) in hummus for a snack. And of course all the amazing summer fruit! 

Are you coping with any anxiety or more challenging emotions? What are you doing to work through them?

I have days every now and then that are difficult emotionally, but I’ve found keeping moving and busy helps. On my harder days I’ve found that long walks with my dog help. Just letting myself breathe and enjoy the world around me, like the nature in the park, can help me reset and remember that things will be ok. 

Are you worried about staying in shape? What would you say to dancers who are concerned about losing technique or “getting out of shape”?

I am, and at the same time I’m not. It’s so easy to let the fear of getting out of shape cause unneeded anxiety. I think dancers right now need to realize that it’s ok to relax, it’s ok to not always be doing something to “stay in shape”.

There’s a lot going on in the world, and putting extra stress on ourselves (something dancers, or at least myself, are very good at doing) is the last thing anyone needs right now. There will be time to get back into shape. Do what you can/want every day, but only do what you mentally and physically should. 

How are you filling your extra time?

I’m one of those people who would rather be too busy than not, so I’ve really tried to fill my time. In the beginning of the quarantine I took really long walks with Chloe (my pup), did workouts, “company class” every day via Zoom, and read a lot.

I think I went through something like five books in the first month of quarantine! Once the summer term began on June 1 I’ve had college classes (I’m a student at CUNY). They are definitely filling my time! 

What does your transition plan look like? Have you gotten word as to when you’ll be getting back into the studio? How do you think the structure you’ve created at home will translate back to company life?

Technically, my company is scheduled to start back in September and prepare for our fall season. However, I’m not sure if that will realistically happen. I really hope so!

I plan to go home to California at some point before we start back. While there, my mom will whip me back into shape. (Fun fact: she trained me and was a soloist at ABT and principle dancer at Boston Ballet!)

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