INTERVIEW: From small-town Vermont to Miami City Ballet principal dancer
Photo: Dawn Atkins’ training has led her to becoming a new principal dancer with Miami City Ballet. Photo courtesy of Neil Gandhi / Provided by AMT PR with permission.
The acclaimed dancer Dawn Atkins is planning to have a momentous October. That’s when she’ll publicly assume the role of principal dancer at the prestigious Miami City Ballet, joining a small group of fellow dancers who have earned the top spot in the company. Audience members can expect to see her on stage in a variety of productions in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Florida.
There are many reasons why Atkins received this top billing, but it’s probably no coincidence that it was announced by Miami City Ballet’s artistic director, Lourdes Lopez, following Atkins’ performance in Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels this past February. That heralded performance was the latest example of Atkins’ excellence at the company, where she began as a soloist in the 2021-22 season, followed by principal soloist in 2022-23. Now it’s onward and upward — quite literally.
This past season, Atkins stayed busy. In addition to the Graham piece, she also performed in George Balanchine’s Diamonds, Sugar Plum Fairy and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, and Agon, plus Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs and Afternoon of a Faun, according to press notes.
Atkins’ career began in small-town Vermont, where she grew up, and then extended to dance training at The School of Richmond Ballet, according to her official biography. Next came the North Carolina School of the Arts and Boston Ballet.
Recently Atkins exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox to talk about her new promotion. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How excited are you to ascend to the role of principal dancer for this upcoming season?
To be promoted to principal dancer for the upcoming 2023-2024 season is a dream come true. Since I was a child, I not only wanted to be a professional ballet dancer, but to be a principal ballet dancer. To have been recognized and acknowledged as that is reaffirming of all the work that I’ve poured to this career. My heart is full to achieve this dream with a company that is so beautiful, and I am thrilled to represent Miami City Ballet as one of their principal dancers!
What are some highlights of the upcoming season that you are most looking forward to?
I wish I knew more specifics of the upcoming season for me personally, but typically we don’t find out our role assignments until we begin rehearsing the various ballets. However, Miami City Ballet has a very exciting season, including a diverse variety of ballets that I think audiences will really love!
What motivated you to originally join the Miami City Ballet? What do you like about the company?
Miami City Ballet is a company that always impressed me. At every level of the organization, I find there are great people doing great work. Lourdes López, the artistic director, had always been someone I admired, and after hearing her speak about MCB with such integrity and passion, I was more motivated than ever. The people within the organization are open, supportive and genuine: I’m proud to be apart of MCB!
You performed Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels in February. What was particularly challenging about this piece?
Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels is a special piece. It’s very different than anything I’ve ever performed, and the role that I danced holds many balances on one leg. While this becomes quite status quo in the studio, on stage, with the lights and adrenaline, it’s a whole other challenge. I found I had to focus on keeping the excitement at bay, staying very calm, with the intention of being as solid as possible. Usually you can use your adrenaline to help you, but for this, I really had to rein it in.
What’s your day-to-day training like?
As professional ballet dancers, we start every day with a 1.5-hour technique class, followed by six hours of rehearsal. Rehearsals vary quite a bit — sometimes we will work on one ballet for six hours; others, we will work on a different ballet every hour.
How did you make the journey from Vermont to South Florida?
I grew up in a small town in Vermont before my family relocated to Virginia. I then went to high school at North Carolina School of the Arts, and upon graduation I moved to Boston to dance with Boston Ballet. After 10 years, my husband and I relocated to South Florida. I couldn’t love the sunshine any more!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Dawn Atkins will start her tenure as principal dancer with Miami City Ballet this October. Click here for more information.
