What were you like as a young girl? I was kind of a tomboy.

What was your home life like? Any brothers or sisters and do any of them dance? My sister danced until she went to college. There were always a lot of arts and crafts going on.

What was school like for you? I went to a Quaker school. It was a very diverse group of kids.

Were there any books, or teachers, that influenced you, or that were memorable for you? Starting in middle school the students kept a journal with a teacher who was assigned as your advisor; it was a great way to communicate tough things that we were going through. All of my advisors had a big influence because of that.

What was your favorite subject in class? Math.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to make clothes.

If you were on a deserted island and you could only take 5 things with you, what 5 thing would those be? Aggghhh, ok,…. (1.) Chapstick or some lip balm that doesn’t have a gross flavor, (2.) Massively high spf sunscreen, (3.) a nice Riesling (amount depending on how long I’m on this island), (4.) a solar powered iPod, (5.) a set of tools to build a shelter. (If I can bring Jonathan then lose the iPod and he is #1)

What’s the silliest thing you've done? Too many to pick

Do you collect anything special? Margaret Smith bags.

What made you decide to start taking dance classes? There was a place on the corner that had ballet classes on Saturdays, so my mom sent me and my sister.

Have you always wanted to be a dancer? No, it really came together when I got an apprentice contract while I was in my senior year of high school.

What is a typical day like for you? Up at 7, class at 9:30 rehearsal any where from 11 to 6. After, or in the midst of that sewing leotards or costumes. Hopefully enjoying dinner with my husband.

On any given day what can we typically find in your dance bag? Green theraband, bag of various tape and pain remedies, makeup, hair stuff, and my Leatherman (it’s like a Swiss army knife).

What do you like most about dancing? Being lifted. I like being off the ground.

What do you think is unique about you and or your dancing? My wacky classicism.

Throughout your dance career, what has been your favorite dance moment? Dancing Ballo with my husband, Jonathan.

What challenges do you face as a dancer? Nagging injuries.

What are you most proud of about yourself as a dancer? Being able to step in when I am needed, it got me promoted to principal!

What highlights of your dance life touched you most? Dancing Juliet (the one that got me promoted!)

What do you think the most important thing is for you as a professional dancer? I don't always achieve it, but, knowing what I am doing so I don't waste others time, And trying to be understanding and supportive of my peers.

How did you feel about the discipline, about what was required of you in dance classes? I always liked getting corrections. When I was young I would sometimes do things incorrectly on purpose to get corrections.

Who has most influenced you in your career? Who has had the greatest impact on you? I don't have one person. I’ve had many influences over the years.

Who helped you be where you are today?-who would you thank? I credit my teacher, Cherie Noble for teaching me how to turn out correctly. I would definitely thank Donna Muzio. She offered me the best training to get me ready for a professional company.

A lot has been written about the sacrifice, the pain of the ballet world, of what it takes to be a dancer. How do you feel about this? If it was written by a dancer it was probably true for them. It is a tough career, but there are a lot of tough jobs in the world, you have to maintain perspective and not whine so much. Not a lot of people get to do what we do.

What are some of the hardships you've had to endure along the way, some of the obstacles you've had to overcome? Knee surgery.

If you could change one thing in the dance world what would it be? UNDERPAID!

Something else a performer has to endure is criticism, either from your peers in your company, or from reviewers. How do you deal with that? I don't mind criticism in the form of corrections from my peers. When you hear that other people have said unfavorable things about me, I have to remember that it is still an art form. You don't like every painting or sculpture you see.

Did you ever have any fears or doubts about one, your choice of career, or two, your ability? One, no. Two, yes.

How did you overcome it? Plow ahead and keep trying.

All dancers have to overcome problems and injuries, have you had any injuries and if so what have you done to deal with them? Always knees, I am always doing exercises. As I’ve gotten older other things are always cropping up.

How do you stay in shape during the off-season? Bike, weights. Take class wherever I can.

Before a performance, how do you prepare yourself to get into character? Think!

Do you have any pre-performance rituals? I try to avoid them. Every show is different.

How does the audience affect you? When you are supposed to get a laugh you want a laugh. When you don't it's a bummer.

What do you want the audience to get from your performance? Enjoy it, that’s why they buy the ticket.

Can you describe the feeling you have when you are in the wings, waiting for your cue, and you hear the music and you enter the stage? Everything from excitement to nausea.

What thoughts occur to you while you are dancing? During a recent performance of Coppelia: "is that a bug crawling toward my foot" actually popped into my head during my variation, so really anything.

What was your favorite role thus far in your career? Kate in "Taming of the Shrew", Juliet, and the divertissement from Midsummer Nights Dream.

What was your favorite costume? The Pas de Quatre tutu from Christopher Wheeldon's "Swan Lake".

If you were to give one piece of advice to aspiring dancers, what would that be? Try to keep a level head

What do you plan to do after your career in dance? Costume Design, Jewelry design, probably some teaching.

Martha's Favorite Things

Actor/Actress: Audrey Hepburn, Philip Seymore Hoffman
Color: Green
Place to visit: Maine and the Catskills
Memory: My dad reading to me and my sister before we went to bed
Animal: Polar bear
Magazine: Lucky
Song: Right now, "a Sunday Smile" from Beirut
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Dancer: Gelsey Kirkland
Movie: "Breakfast at Tiffany’s"
Outfit: I can’t choose, I’ve always loved playing dress up
Hairstyle: Sassy bangs
Jewelry: My own creations
Fragrance: Anick Gutal "Eau de Hadrien"
Shoes: Vintage Gucci heels
Leotard: My Natalie turquoise lace top leotard, and my own of course
Tights: Hold and stretch stirrup black, or none
Pointe shoe: Freed®

Jonathan Stilesi
Pennsylvania Ballet

What were you like as a young boy? I was talkative and outgoing.

What was your home life like? Any brothers or sisters and do any of them dance? I have an older brother, but most of the time it was my mom and I.

What was school like for you? A great time.

Were there any books, or teachers, that influenced you, or that were memorable for you? Duncan Noble, my mentor.

What was your favorite subject in class? Social Studies and Civics.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Cycling and cooking.

If you were on a deserted island and could only take 5 things with you, what 5 things would those be? Other than people, a mixing bowl, a cutting board, a good knife, a fry pan and my bike.

What made you decide to start taking dance classes? Getting to dance in a production of "The King and I".

Have you always wanted to be a dancer? When I was younger I wanted to be a lawyer.

What is a typical day like for you? Class, rehearsals, cooking dinner.

On any given day what can we typically find in your dance bag? All the essentials and whatever book I am reading.

What do you like most about dancing? Performing.

What do you think is unique about you and or your dancing? My ability to really get into character.

Throughout your dance career, what has been your favorite dance moment? Dancing "Fancy Free" with two good friends, James Ady and Philip Colucci.

What are you most proud of about yourself as a dancer? My versatility.

What highlights of your dance life touched you most? Dancing "Ballo della Regina" with Martha shortly after we got engaged.

What do you think the most important thing is for you as a professional dancer? Consistency.

How did you feel about the discipline, about what was required of you in dance classes? If you want to dance professionally, you can't depend on other people to motivate you.

Who has most influenced you in your career? Who has had the greatest impact on you? Duncan Noble, he taught me what it means to be a dancer.

Who helped you be where you are today?-who would you thank? My mom.

If you could choose one dancer to perform with, whom would it be, and what production would it be? I would like Matthew Neenan to choreograph something for my wife and I.

A lot has been written about the sacrifice, the pain of the ballet world, of what it takes to be a dancer. How do you feel about this? Being a dancer is not for the faint hearted.

What are some of the hardships you've had to endure along the way, some of the obstacles you've had to overcome? Staying motivated during times when you are not dancing a lot.

If you could change one thing in the dance world what would it be? The pay and lack of financial security.

Something else a performer has to endure is criticism, either from your peers in your company, or from reviewers. How do you deal with that? If you work at being a friend, then you will have friends you trust. Listen to them.

Did you ever have any fears or doubts about one, your choice of career, or two, your ability? Nearly every day.

How did you overcome it? Go to work and try to prove that I made the right choice.

All dancers have to overcome problems and injuries, have you had any injuries and if so what have you done to deal with them? Several injuries, you just have to listen to the doctor or physical therapist.

How do you stay in shape during the off-season? Cycling, but I also try to not go more than a few weeks without dancing.

Before a performance, how do you prepare yourself to get into character? I start trying to think like my character several hours before a show.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals? I sing "Jump" by Kris Kross (quietly) and jump around.

How does the audience affect you? If they're paying very close attention, it helps you get into the moment.

What do you want the audience to get from your performance? I want them to see the character and story we are trying to tell.

Can you describe the feeling you have when you are in the wings, waiting for your cue, and you hear the music and you enter the stage? Nervous in the wings, relaxed once I get onstage.

What thoughts occur to you while you are dancing? Hopefully, I'm thinking whatever my character would be thinking.

What was your favorite role thus far in your career? Renfield in "Dracula", Hilarion in "Giselle"

What was your favorite costume? Fancy Free.

If you were to give one piece of advice to aspiring dancers, what would that be? Have fun.

What do you plan to do after your career in dance? Non-profit administration.

Jonathan's Favorite Things

Actor/Actress: Christian Bale
Color: Blue
Place to visit: The Catskills and the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Magazine: Gourmet
Holiday: Fourth of July
Dancer: Donald O'Conner
Movie: Singin' In the Rain
Outfit: A suit
Car: Subaru Outback
Fragrance: Tam Dao by Diptyque