INTERVIEW: At 40 years old, Chris Davis became a ‘Ballerino’
Photo: The 40-Year-Old Ballerino was written by and stars Chris Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided with permission.
The 40-Year-Old Ballerino, a new solo show written and performed by Chris Davis, will have its New York premiere tonight, April 2, at the New York City Fringe Festival. The 50-minute solo work is a deeply personal account of Davis reexamining his life after four decades and deciding to give up some addictions in order to focus solely on the art of ballet dancing.
Being alone on a stage and telling an intimate, life-changing story is not new to Davis, who has built a career out of solo endeavors. He’s known for One-Man Nutcracker, One-Man Apocalypse Now and The Presented, among other works. The 40-Year-Old Ballerino, directed by MK Tuomanen, first premiered at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and now the performer is excited to see what Big Apple audiences will think of his journey.
Recently Davis exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about the new show, which has scheduled performances until April 20 at wild project on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
When did you realize solo shows would be a great way to express yourself artistically?
Back in 2012, I performed my first solo show here in Philadelphia, titled Drunk Lion. Little did I know that I’d perform that show for 10 years, travel the East Coast and the U.S., Edinburgh Fringe three times, perform in venues from theaters to even an alleyway in San Francisco to outdoors. Somewhere along that journey I realized that solo shows combine my love for travel and performance and community, that you can create that anywhere you go.
Is The 40-Year-Old Ballerino 100 percent autobiographical, or do you have to change some details to build a narrative arc?
It is 100 percent autobiographical; however, the chronology of real-life events is mixed around to make a more compelling narrative.
Did ballet prove to be a positive outlet for you?
Yes, yes, yes. I have never found a physical discipline that I connected with like ballet. While some days are hard, I am always gratified and happy after taking class, and I’m always excited to take class. I love the community of dancers, the teachers and the music.
What’s it like working with your director MK Tuomanen?
We’ve worked together for almost 20 years, so our rehearsal processes are short and efficient, which I love. And MK always gives space in the show for me to explore. We have a short hand with our process and nearly telepathic, unspoken rehearsal. I’m very thankful for their work.
What is the lesson to be learned from these 50 minutes and these theatrical ballet classes? What do you want the takeaway to be?
That no matter how old you are, or young you are, or miserable you are, or sad you are, or even happy you are, you can always change. Change is always possible. The hardest, most difficult relationship you will ever have will be with yourself and your own self-worth. Battling that takes more than a tendu or jete, but ballet for me has allowed me to find new levels of comfort in my own body — and my mind.
What do you love about fringe festivals generally and New York’s version specifically?
This is my first time at the NYC Fringe! I am so excited. I love New York and having a legitimate excuse to visit the city. Fringe festivals can be very special communities of people, with great artists and curious people, and ultimately they are a celebration of the type of non-commercial theater that interests me the most as an audience member and performer.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The 40-Year-Old Ballerino, written and performed by Chris Davis, plays April 2-20 at wild project in New York City. The show is part of the New York City Fringe Festival. Click here for more information and tickets.
