Q&A with Atlanta Ballet Dancer Alessa Rogers
Alessa Rogers
Company dancer Q&A
Q: What are your plans this summer?
A: This past July I worked as a guest artist at the National Choreographers Initiative in Irvine, California. I am also did a small dance project with UNCC professor Gretchen Alterowitz that will hopefully be performed in the upcoming year.
In the world outside of dance, I served as a doula (childbirth labor assistant) and continued my work as a volunteer for the Partnership Against Domestic Violence.
Q. What was your favorite moment(s) from this past season?
A: There were so many great experiences this year! I can honestly say it was the greatest season of my career so far. But the most rewarding part is the incredible people I met along the way- Antoine Vereecken and Wayne McGregor in October, that luminary who is Twyla Tharp in February, working with Christophe Dozzi in Jorma Elo’s First Flash and Joanna Berman for Chris Wheeldon’s Rush, and creating roles in Tara Lee and Helen Pickett’s premieres in May were all truly special moments. I am so lucky to do what I do!
Q: Which choreographer or piece are you most excited about for next season?
A: Dracula is one of the most fun ballets I have ever been a part of and of course the audience loves it, so I am looking forward to that. But I am really excited for the challenge that Ohad Naharin- rock star Israeli choreographer- will bring to Atlanta. He is really on the cutting edge of dance today and it is such a huge honor that Atlanta will have him in our repertoire.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Atlanta?
A: Highland Bakery for breakfast. La Grotta if I want something fancy and for a fun time after rehearsal Antico’s Pizza!
Q: What’s the best “hidden gem” in Atlanta where you like to spend time or visit often?
A: Winn Park in Midtown and Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party in Candler Park. The DeKalb Farmer’s Market is also one of my favorite places- you can always find fruits and vegetables that you have never even heard of before!
Q: What do you like to do for fun when you are not dancing?
A: Yoga, writing, reading, cooking vegetarian food, going to live art performances, and learning random things like how to rock climb and how to make pickles.