Get to know our Guest Artist
Robert Cleary
What age did you start dancing? 22
What is your favorite role you have performed? Oh man, that’s not easy … obviously, Andy’s creations on me rank very high … Dross and Beethoven, … in Nutcracker alone, spanish man, rat king, half of nutcracker, were also created on my body … Mark Morris created a part of Largo on me … Bill T. used me in the creation of parts of 52 nudes … of course Lisa, my wife has created many significant roles on me … that now are being set on younger dancers … it’s in that process you discover just how significant the choreography is …
What is the best advice you have received? Easy … and all the choreographers mentioned above and many other wonderfull choreographers i’ve worked for have said the same … just using different words … ‘ don’t be afraid to put yourself into the role ‘…' your heart, your soul, your very self '… no matter what level of training and experience … it’s the hardest challenge … to trust yourself and the choreographer … Martha Graham called the task of the dancer to make of themselves … “ a vessel for the art form “ …
What advice would you give your younger self? Easy … learn to trust others sooner … I always worked to hard as a young dancer, sometimes I think it would be great to go back in time and tell my younger self to relax and take a day off once in a while … as i get older i realize … i was just fine … your youth is when you’re supposed to burn the candle at both ends and the middle …
How has dance impacted your life?
Easy answer, and Hard answer … Dance is my life … I started out as a Jock, looking to continue as a Jock, doing a physical activity … over time, i discovered Art … and that dance is not just athleticism … it’s (a very important) art form …
Back in the 80’s … I was an awarded athlete, making typical young jock Homosexual jokes in the sports locker-rooms … by the mid 80’s, I was a young dancer, and 90% of my friends were of the LGBQT community (irony is a wonderful thing) … and then many of these friends started to die … at first no one new why … and the fear and misinformation was a living nightmare … (see Angels In America, a wonderful play about the times) … i sat in death rooms with close friends who I new in my heart of hearts were better artists, athletes, performers and people than I … and they died … a good friend who survived those years posted during the George Bush funeral last week … to die past the age of 95 having accomplished many of ones lifes’ dreams and goals is a remarkable gift from above … and should be rightfully celebrated … to die in your 20s … before you can show your light to the world is horrible … the trials and tribulations of those years made me strong inside and outside … tempered iron makes steel …
What is one thing on your Bucket List? To Quarterback the Cleveland Browns to a Super Bowl Title … Someones got to do it …
How long have you been dancing with Ballet Minnesota?
In September of 1990, Andy called me on the phone, I was in midst of a tour with Mark Morris Dance Co. … he wanted to know if I was available in December to work on his and Cheryl’s Nutcracker … I was … and it’s been many laughs, much love, (and a few tears) ever since … I don’t count the years, i just pay attention to the laughter …
Ballet Minnesota is so honored to have Robert come and perform as a guest artist year after year. This season marks his 20th anniversary as the magical, Drosselmyer.
Tickets & Info
oshag.stkate.edu/events/category/series/the-classic-nutcracker-2018/ ... See MoreSee Less
