Jasper is catching up with some of the members of the Columbia Summer Repertory Theatre in advance of their upcoming summer concerts this Friday and Saturday nights. Today we’re talking with Abby McDowell.
JASPER: Abby, catch us up on you, please. Where are you from and where did you train or work prior to coming to Columbia?
ABBY: I’m originally from Charlotte and grew up in the school of Charlotte Ballet, where I trained with Patty McBride, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Mark Diamond, and Cathy Moriarty. At 18 I got a position as an apprentice with Charlotte Ballet, and then a position in The Professional Division of Pacific Northwest Ballet School. I worked as a fellowship with Atlanta Ballet, and then spent 7 years dancing for The Georgia Ballet.
JASPER: When did you come to CCB and what is your position there now?
ABBY: I joined CCB 7 years ago and was appointed to soloist after my 3rd season with the company.
JASPER: What’s the most satisfying role you’ve ever danced?
ABBY: The role of “Rhythm Girl” in Balanchine’s Who cares?. It was originally choreographed on my beloved teacher and mentor Patty McBride who was a muse of George Balanchine. She was an extremely enigmatic performer, and it was created at a special time in the history of ballet in America, so I feel really honored to have had the opportunity to step into those shoes for a moment!
JASPER: What role have you not danced that you really want to?
ABBY: There are so many! Full length classical would have to be Aurora in Sleeping Beauty because the score is so dreamy, and as a character she really gets to come full circle. In the neoclassical/contemporary realm I would love to dance in the corps de ballet of Balanchine’s Rubies, anything by Wheeldon or Forsythe, Paul Taylor’s Company B, or Nacho Duato’s Jardi Tancat.
JASPER: What made you want to dance in the Summer Rep Company?
ABBY: I think that as a dancer it’s important to not only maintain your body as your tool, but to never stop learning and growing as an artist. This gives me the opportunity to try new things while keeping me moving in the off-season.
JASPER: Do you think dancing in Summer Rep will help you as you go back to your season at CCB this fall?
ABBY: Of Course! It’s helped me stay in shape, made me think, and given me the opportunity to move my body in new and different ways. These are all things I’ll take with me into CCB’s upcoming season.
JASPER: What piece or pieces are you most excited about sharing with audiences in this week’s show and why?
ABBY: I really love the Sam Cook Suite we’re doing because it’s light and happy, and I think there’s a lot of people out there who could probably use some of that energy right now! It’s also a treat to get to dance to live music and Claire plays so beautifully, so Seven is exciting