Bridget Breiner

Bridget Breiner was the first person to give me an interview. I explained to her briefly about the series and she said “let’s do it after class!” I was shocked, but I had my questions ready. After class we met and she said “Am I your first interview?” I thought to myself, who is interviewing who? … Just kidding.

I met Bridget while I was working in Stuttgart. Bridget would take class with Gauthier Dance often. She was super disciplined. She would come in early, put on her headphones and do a full barre, BEFORE the class started. When I walked in I would see her through the window, already sweating. She would “Soutenu” to the other side, see me watching and give a big smile. She has a really big smile. Its wonderful. Having her in class was a treat.

I had already seen her perform many times and was a huge fan. Bridget is a phenomenal dancer. Sure she is a star, with beautiful lines and technique. Many choreographers have created roles for her, too many to list here and she has had an amazing career as a principal dancer and guest artist. What makes Bridget special is her stage presence. She is alive! I could watch her do anything. I talked with my wife at length about what it is that makes Bridget different and we both agree, this ballerina has soul!

Over the years I have gotten to know Bridget more and more. As a fellow American dancer in Stuttgart, We would always run in to each other and have great conversation. I go often to see performances and we have even done a few galas together… maybe more than few actually. We would laugh so much! She loves my corney jokes! HA! It’s nice when someone just gets you. She was even a guest at the famous “Braswell Dankesgiving” which is a big Thanksgiving dinner my wife and I throw every year. I think it was at that event that her boyfriend coined the phrase “Do you have Google?” An inside joke, that is probably only funny to us, but I will say this… everyone with internet, has Google…except in China I guess?… Ill get back to you on that.

Bridget Breiner was born in Connecticut, USA, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where she received her early dance training at the BalletMet Dance Academy. She completed her training at the Heinz-Bosl-Stiftung in Munich and subsequently joined the Bavarian State Ballet in 1992 under the direction of Konstanze Vernon, who promoted her to Demi-Soloist. In 1996 she joined the Stuttgart Ballet under the direction of Reid Anderson and quickly became one of the company’s most celebrated dancers, being promoted to Soloist in 1997 and Principal in 2001. From 2006 to 2008 she danced with the SemperOper Ballet in Dresden under the direction of Aaron Watkin. Currently she is the Ballet director at Ballet im Revier in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

I imagine that she is a great director. I know her as reasonable fair and hard-working. I think her soul is not only evident on stage, but also off stage. I read about her success in Germany and it makes me smile.

Bridget answered 5 questions and I wrote them down on an envelope. The energy was great, you could see she enjoyed answering these questions and I enjoy hearing her answers. After our interview, I knew this could work. Before she answered my little interview, Bridget was already an inspiration to many. I think I say thank you to her in every email, but I never really think she knows the impact she had on this series and my dreams.

 When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be Shirley Temple.

Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

I always wanted to be onstage and I always wanted to dance, but as a kid I really more in love with musicals than ballet — I liked the costumes better

Bridget’s Favorite Things

Favorite Things to eat?

Bagels on a Saturday morning. A beer after a show. Peaches at Lake Erie in August. Butterbrezel on my first day back in Germany, and, and, and …….

Favorite Books?

To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Movies?

Henry V from Kenneth Branagh — it made me want to be an artist.

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

There are so many amazing dance pieces, but I experience them as a professional. I prefer to talk about opera because I experience that just as a member of the audience: The overture of Rheingold. Eva-Maria Westbroek in the last act of Otello in Stuttgart. The Evening Interlude in Britten’s Peter Grimes.

I like dancers who…

…Who leave it on the field. I like dancers who get completely involved in developing their work in the studio, but who just live it onstage. People who don’t let perfectionism get in the way of the moment.

I am afraid of…

…Regret.

A dance piece should…

…Make you feel SOMETHING.

Something you like to do other your current job?

Reading and biking and swimming and hiking.

One of the happiest moments in your life?

Too many to choose one.

One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

Too embarrassing to print.

Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

There have been so many people helping me in my career but these three people were there at turning points: Dale and Vineta Brannon made me realize that I could express something with my dancing when I was 16, so I came to Germany where Cranko had worked. Christina Bernal taught me how to dance again when I thought my career would be over at 33; I am so lucky to have had these past few years as a dancer, some of my favorite dancer experiences have come AFTER I’d thought it was all over.

One of the hardest things about your job?

dealing with the personalities and dreams and lives of the 14 people in our company – it is hard to know how to be there for all of them and still have the art form be the goal.

Do you have any goals you still wish to achieve?

Yes.

Dear aspiring artists,

You’re gonna make mistakes, so forgive yourself and move forward!

–Bridget Breiner

 Photo Journal

Little Bridget!

©Ulrich Beutenmüller

©Costin Radu

©Costin Radu

©Costin Radu

©Stuttgart Ballet

©Costin Radu

To find out more information on Bridget and Ballet im Revier please check out her website or on Facebook. Have you worked with Bridget? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!