Jason Reilly

I first met Jason at the Hanover Competition in 2007. He was there to dance “Ballet101” by my future director , Eric Gauthier. After a quick introduction and a random game of bowling, I finally got to see Jason perform on stage.

In the beginning of the piece Jason walks on stage and waves to the audience… as if he needed to do anything else. The public was already applauding when his name was announced. I could hear the whispers in the audience when he walked on… obviously I was out of the loop. Jason was amazing. His presence shine immediately. He turned and leaped around that huge stage with ease. I don’t think I saw one drop of sweat. He showed all 101 positions flawlessly. All while keeping his smile! The public was in his hands. I have danced that piece as well… and it is not easy. Especially when you have seen him do it first! The piece ended up being a huge success and won multiple awards at the competition. I watched them rock the Hanover stage and win. This is my first impression of Jason Rilley.

Jason and I never danced in the same company but, the Jason I know is simply a nice guy. He can talk to anyone. You would never know he was a principal with the Stuttgart Ballet or that he probably could lift anyone reading this interview above his head. No really, his strength is unbelievable. He is a master partner. I have seen him do see amazing things. I attached photo proof at the end of this interview!

Jason Reilly was born in Toronto, Canada, where he was trained at the National Ballet School Toronto. After his graduation in 1997 he joined the Stuttgart Ballet. In 2003/04 he was appointed Principal Dancer. With the Stuttgart Ballet Jason has danced numerous major roles in full-length ballets by renowned choreographers. His repertoire includes the leading roles in ballets of John Cranko such as Siegfried in Swan Lake, Petrucchio in The Taming of the Shrew and the title roles in Romeo and Juliet and Onegin as well as Prince Desiré in Sleeping Beauty (Marcia Haydée after Marius Petipa), Basilio in Don Quijote (Maximiliano Guerra), Albrecht in Giselle (Reid Anderson, Valentina Savina), Colas in La Fille mal gardée (Frederick Ashton), Armand Duval in The Lady of the Camellias and the title role in Othello (both John Neumeier).

In addition, Jason has performed lead roles in ballets by George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, Jerome Robbins, Glen Tetley, William Forsythe, Itzik Galili, Jorma Elo a.o. Several renowned choreographers have created roles for him, including John Neumeier, Wayne McGregor, Mauro Bigonzetti, Christian Spuck and Marco Goecke. Kevin O’Day created his Hamlet especially for him. I was at the premiere, he was great! Jason is also a highly sought-after guest at international galas and ballet companies.

I have seen Jason perform many times. I have taken class with him a few times and danced at the same galas. He even coached me a bit for “Ballet 101”! We have shared a laughs and a few beers. When I left Stuttgart, it made me realize how much I looked up to Jason. Seeing him on stage always filled me with Inspiration. He is powerful! I love his positive energy and how he always can see the bright side. I am happy to finally get him on Interview En L’air!

 When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

Well, first I wanted to be a fireman! Then I had my first ballet class when I was five but I got thrown out for biting the girls (really). So I returned at the ripe old age of six but it wasn’t until I was about 13 years old that I decided that I really wanted to dance. I loved the discipline, the structure and of course, MOVING!

Jason’s Favorite things

Favorite Things to eat?

I love macaroni and cheese, pizza and steak. And cookies and milk late at night.

Favorite Books?

I love the mystery novels of James Patterson. I also love comics, more Marvel, but I’ll also read DC.

Favorite Movies?

Pretty much anything with singing in it… like Mama Mia, Pitch Perfect, Sound of Music, that kind of stuff.

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

Musicals: Cats, Miss Saigon. In terms of dance, I love LaLaLa Humans Steps.

 I like dancers who…

Are honest on stage.

 I am afraid of…

Falling on stage or hurting a partner.

A dance piece should…

Entertain people!

 Something you would like to do other than your current job?

I would love to coach younger dancers. Alternatively, open a bar.

 One of the happiest moments in your life?

When my girlfriend accepted my proposal. That “yes” was definitely a high point!

 One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

“Unusual”: I was performing John Neumeier’s “Street Car Named Desire” with Alessandra Ferri and my pants ripped. It was so bad, that I had to rip them off so we could keep dancing. So there I was just in my dance belt, dancing away. The dressers in the wings had a heart attack!
Coolest: Pretty much any and every time I go on stage.

 One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

In my first season with the Stuttgart Ballet I did the pas de deux from Le Corsaire at a benefit performance. At the end of the solo I did a double tour and fell on my ass. I ran off the stage and started to cry in the wings. Reid Anderson – my artistic director – told me “Go back out and bow, they love you!” And I really didn’t want to bow, I was so embarrassed. But of course he was right and when I went back out, the audience cheered and cheered.

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

Definitely Reid Anderson, in every way. He trusted me, believed in me as an artist and dancer and gave me all the opportunities imaginable. Also Kevin Pugh. He was a Principal Dancer at the National Ballet of Canada . He had the hugest jump, best turns and tons of energy on stage. He was a big inspiration to me. And Robert Conn, former Principal Dancer of the National Ballet of Canada, Soloist with the Stuttgart Ballet, who is now director of the Augsburg Ballet: For showing me that you ALWAYS have enough energy to do a work out. No matter what!

 One of the hardest things about your job?

Pirouettes.

 Do you have any goals you still wish to achieve?

There are plenty of ballets I would still like to dance: Manon, La Sylphide, Apollo, anything by David Dawson.

 A question you want to know the answer to:

The meaning of life.

 Dear aspiring artists,

Stay humble.

— Jason Reilly

 Photo Journal

Jason Reilly by © Roman Novitzky

With Alicia Amatriain in Othello © Stuttgart Ballet

Jason in John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet © Stuttgart Ballet

With Alicia Amatriain in Othello © Stuttgart Ballet

with Anna osadecenko in Glen Tetley’s Rite of Spring © Ulrich Beuttenmueller

To find out more information on Jason, check out the Stuttgart Ballet website. Have you worked with Jason? Have you seen him perform? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!

Main photo: Jason in Maurice Béjart’s Bolero © Stuttgart Ballet