Jutta Ebnother

I always found it a bit silly , that contemporary companies only train in classical ballet. While I do agree that you must have a strong classical base, If the repertory is purely contemporary, then couldn’t we have a contemporary class at least once a month? My Gauthier Dance colleagues and I expressed our thoughts to my director, and he was open to us having some modern classes. He invited a few people to come in and teach us and one of them was the lovely Jutta. Jutta is the Artistic Director of The Nordhausen Ballet in Germany. She grew up in Stuttgart, and often visited the Theaterhaus and saw performances. Jutta is very easy to talk to. She is always friendly and has a great sense of humor. I was excited to finally work with her in the studio.

Jutta’s class was great! She was clear and creative in her exercises. The class had a nice flow. At the end of the class, We had a fierce movement combination! I loved it! I think I did it like 10 times…Needless to say, I was warm for my rehearsals. She is a beautiful mover in her own right, with a great quality and gourgeous lines. I do remember staring at her daggers (Ballerina slang for nice feet) during the class.

Jutta danced in the ensembles of Landestheater Detmold and Staatstheater Kassel. In Kassel, her first choreographies were made. In 2004 she took her position in Nordhausen. In 2008 she choreographed as a guest at the theater of Gießen, and in 2009 she was dance lecturer and juror at the dance festival “Dance Brasil 2009” in Brazil.

I hope to have her class again soon…I have been craving some contemporary classes lately……………………

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?

I really wanted to become a Hotel Manager….I wanted to live in the States and deal with fancy people…but becoming a dancer was also a dream and it became true! I am very lucky and thankful for what I am doing now. Being a ballet director and choreographer is a dream job too!

 Jutta’s Favorite things

Favorite Things to eat?

Salad and Steak, any Kind of eggs…and cheese cake…

Favorite Books?

At the moment: “Handle with care” (Jodi Picoult) and “Eat, pray, love….always fun to read it again and again….

Favorite Movies?

Well, there are so many good movies…..just a few to mention…Die Fabelhafter Welt der Amélie…..Midnight in Paris…..Moulin Rouge….Midsummer night’s Dream with Michelle Pfeiffer….

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

Yes, I a big fan of the Kylián pieces and love them….not only because of their beauty; These choreographies have no empty movements…. and my favorite Musical….West Side Story…

Also…

My family is my favorite thing….My husband Alan who gives me the hardest critic on my work and is my biggest fan at the same time. My daughter Amelie (2 1/2 years) brings me down to earth after a long day in the studio and shows me to live in the moment.

I like dancers who…

…are open minded and not caught up in certain images.

I am afraid of…

…crowds (of people!)

Something you like to do other than dancing?

Cooking, reading and bike riding.

One of the happiest moments in your life?

When I found out I am pregnant and then holding her 9 month later in my arms!

Dear aspiring artists,

Don’t just copy steps, try to understand them and don’t be afraid of asking questions.

–Jutta Ebnother

Anything else you would like to mention?

Live more in the moment, smile at yourself and also laugh about yourself, accept your mistakes and move on…. Everything in life happens for a reason.

Photo Journal

The joy and love of my life….our daughter Amelie.

Having fun in Düsseldorf. Jutta with her husband Alan.
Photo by Magdalena Pawelec

Feeling big and beautiful.
Photo by Christoph Herpel

In rehearsal.
Photo by Tilmann Graner

To find out more about Jutta visit www.ebnother.com or www.theater-nordhausen.de. See you next week!