ART
ATHLETES ON STAGE
HOUSTON BALLET COMES ON STRONG
Sure , ballet is inspiring to watch , with its lithe , limber performers telling stories using only their bodies , but do you know how much athletic strength it takes to pull off those jumps , twirls and grand jetés ?
The Houston Ballet company features 59 stellar dancers whose athleticism is as astonishing to watch as their artistry during performances . During a typical day in the studio , a dancer can jump up to four feet in the air , and male dancers can lift up to 1.5 tons while performing with a partner . Even more impressive : The amount of energy needed for a principal role in ballet is equivalent to running more than 15 miles !
One such artist / athlete is CHUN WAI CHAN , pictured here , who was recently promoted to Principal dancer at Houston Ballet . His well-deserved promotion concluded Houston Ballet ’ s performances at the Smart Financial Centre during the company ’ s Hometown Tour of Stanton Welch ’ s The Nutcracker , presented by Houston Methodist . Chan was born in Guang-Dong , China , and received his professional dance training at Guangzhou Art School and Houston Ballet Academy . He joined the Houston Ballet in 2012 as part of the corps de ballet .
Catch the Ballet next at their performance of “ Rock , Roll & Tutus ” from March 1 – 4 at the George R . Brown Convention Center ’ s Resilience Theatre . For more information , visit www . houstonballet . org .
Photography by Claire Mcadams
34 LOCAL | 3 . 2018