BY LEANDRA ACOSTA
Photo Courtesy of Saarländischen Staatsballet Conner Bormann began his dance training at New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble. Upon graduation, he continued his formal dance training at the Juilliard School in New York City and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He has been dancing with the Saarländischen Staatsballett since the 2017-2018 season.
We were able to catch up with Conner to see how he has been doing since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We were able to catch up with Conner to see how he has been doing since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How has COVID-19 impacted your professional dance career?
I am currently a dancer in the Saarländisches Staatsballett in Saarbrücken, Germany. As of now, all of our training, rehearsals, and performances have been cancelled until the end of April. Luckily, we will still be paid, but it is unclear if the cancellation will extend until the end of the season.
What were your plans before all of this, and how have they been affected by this pause?
The company was about to begin the creative process with choreographers Marioenrico D’Angelo and Mortiz Ostruschnjak for a premiere in May, which has unfortunately been cancelled. Before everything was shut down, we were able to premiere a double bill with works by Richard Siegal and Stijn Celis.
"Seeing the performing arts community come together in this time is something that has really lifted my spirits".
I am currently a dancer in the Saarländisches Staatsballett in Saarbrücken, Germany. As of now, all of our training, rehearsals, and performances have been cancelled until the end of April. Luckily, we will still be paid, but it is unclear if the cancellation will extend until the end of the season.
What were your plans before all of this, and how have they been affected by this pause?
The company was about to begin the creative process with choreographers Marioenrico D’Angelo and Mortiz Ostruschnjak for a premiere in May, which has unfortunately been cancelled. Before everything was shut down, we were able to premiere a double bill with works by Richard Siegal and Stijn Celis.
"Seeing the performing arts community come together in this time is something that has really lifted my spirits".
What are you doing to keep yourself inspired?
I am trying to stay aware of what I feel I need day to day. Some days I feel it’s healthier to make a clear schedule and to-do list for myself while other days I dedicate to letting myself indulge in laziness and rest without judgement.
When it comes to inspiration, I’ve been blown away by the accessibility of online classes as well as the amount of companies posting free full-length performances for viewing.
I am trying to stay aware of what I feel I need day to day. Some days I feel it’s healthier to make a clear schedule and to-do list for myself while other days I dedicate to letting myself indulge in laziness and rest without judgement.
When it comes to inspiration, I’ve been blown away by the accessibility of online classes as well as the amount of companies posting free full-length performances for viewing.
