66: Inside the Mind of a Choreographer — Christopher Stuart

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Christopher Stuart, Resident Choreographer for the</span> <a href= "https://www.nashvilleballet.com/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Nashville Ballet</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. Stuart, a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, spent an astounding 16 seasons at the Nashville Ballet, ultimately rising to the ranks of principal dancer. Christopher describes his choreography as “free and limitless,” and his work has been featured in many companies across the American Southeast, while being praised by various dance publications.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a choreographer of seven years, Stuart has learned much about the nature of dance — lessons which retroactively shine light on his experiences as a dancer — and, on the podcast, he spends a great deal of time discussing these learnings. During his conversation, Christopher recaps his journey as a dancer, talks about not taking rejection too personally, discusses his approach to choreography, and so much more. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Moving Quotes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I just kept pushing myself. I loved coming in [to the Nashville Ballet], knowing that there was always something more to learn. Even to the last day before I retired, I was always learning something."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. If you want this career in your life that makes you happy, then you should do it."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think dance, in general, is always ever-evolving. We have to evolve with the times. We have to adapt to our world."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When I cast my ballets, I don’t always cast the person with the prettiest feet or the prettiest legs. I look at the movement that I’m creating and the people that I think best suit that role or piece, no matter of ranks or anything."</span></p> <p><span s