Rosalie O’ Connor

Photography has always been a hobby of mine. At the Juilliard dance concerts, I used to chat with all the photographers that came to shoot the stage rehearsals… hoping they would let me test their cameras! That is how I met Rosalie. She would always encourage me to learn new things about photography. I used to ask her countless questions about her camera. She was always so friendly and helpful. She never got sick of my questions… Even after 4 years at Juilliard! I really enjoyed talking to her. She is positive and upbeat. Our little chats taught me more than even she knows….

I ran into Rosalie years later at the XIV International Ballet Festival of Miami in 2009. I danced in the gala and she was there to take photos! We had such a great chat… just like old times… I am sure I asked her something about my camera as well. In Europe I don’t get to see her that much, but she crosses my mind often for the simple fact that…her photos are everywhere! It has become extremely hard NOT to find a photo of Rosalie’s. Being one of the top dance photographers in America, Rosalie is the Associate Staff Photographer at American Ballet Theatre. She is also the company photographer for Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Ballet Arizona, and Boston Ballet.

When I started Interview En L’ air , I took a special interest in people who used to be dancers and are doing something else now. I am interested in their perspective now that they have another passion. I am happy to present to you all, my first photographer of this series……………………………

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?

Ballet classes began at age four, and at age six I started to take my own photographs–mostly at the zoo or in our backyard. My parents have confirmed that ever since the very beginning, I always want to dance. They tell me that I announced at age 11 that my goal was to join a professional company, that wish came true at age 17 when Baryshnikov asked me to join the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre.

Rosalie’s Favorite things

To eat?

Sushi is a staple! I love kale and I have a weakness for Haagen-Daaz coffee ice cream.

Books?

I’ve always favored autobiographies or biographies. The next book I’ll be reading is, Balanchine’s Mozartiana, The Making of a Masterpiece by Robert Maiorano and Valerie Brooks. I saw Suzanne Farrell perform this beautiful work when I first came to SAB for the winter term. Now, I not only get to photograph this beautiful ballet, but I’ve photographed for both Suzanne Farrell and Ib Andersen, with Ballet Arizona. It’s a true privilege for me to have worked with these two remarkable dancers that this ballet was created on by Mr. Balanchine.

Movies?

I have a subscription to NetFlix.
Last movie seen out was Blue Jasmine. I’m a Woody Allen fan. He’s introduced me to so much music as well as to poet e.e. cummings. In fact, I regularly dressed a la Annie Hall, when I moved to NYC in 1985 and attended SAB–a vest, a tie and a large brimmed black hat.

Ballets, Dance Piece or Musical?

My favorite ballet remains, Giselle. In 1984 I got to see Gelsey and Misha dance at the MET. Sublime.

I like dancers who…

…Are expressive, that take risks and that are musical.

I am afraid of…

Having grown up in New Orleans, I remain afraid of those monster cucarachas!

Something you like to do other than your current job?

I don’t always consider work work. I’ve danced and photographed since I was little and they are both part of who I am. I can’t imagine any better vocation for me, or that I’d love more, than that of dance photographer. Everything that I know and have experienced in my schooling and during my fifteen year career with ABT informs my second career as a dance photographer. To have felt such passion for both careers is a gift.

Dear aspiring artist,

It’s a very short career, but it is also a richly rewarding one. Make the most of every moment and be focused. Work extremely hard, but enjoy yourself. Enrich yourself outside of the studio— go see art, read, write, photograph, explore on long walks in nature. Be alive and engaged

–Rosalie O’ Connor

 Photo Journal

Photo credit: Paulina Miller Seen in my very first Nutcracker, with The New Orleans Ballet in 1974, as a Sugar Plum Fairy page. I am the one with hyper-extended legs, second in from the right, the one who’s actually watching the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dawn Russo. The Cavalier is former ABT dancer, Rory Foster.

This was an image taken during a Lecture Series that David Howard got for us in Orange County. In a one hour time span Clinton spoke about the history of dance, we both performed solos and pas de deuxs to illustrate and I additionally gave a little talk about pointe shoes. I passed around a shoe that had belonged to a member of the Trocs. A close friend sawed it in half length-wise and I passed each half around to the audience while I spoke. we created and performed this lecture for one week in a variety of locations including a correctional facility.
Orange County Performing Arts Center
Photographer unknown/Courtesy OCPAC
Giselle, Act II pas de deux with Clinton Luckett

American Ballet Theatre, The Kennedy Center, 2001.
Photo taken by Uli Bader.
Giselle Act I, as Bathilde with Susan Jaffe and Ethan Stiefel.

Freddie Franklin as Madge and Rosalie O’Connor as Effie, La Sylphide/ABT.
Photographer unknown.

New York Newsday Magazine, 1989.

The catalyst.
Spring 1996, Damrosh Park.
Self-timed image, camera on a tripod
Clockwise from noon,
John Selya, Yvonne Borree, Rosalie O’Connor, Arch Higgins, Ashley Tuttle, Angel Corella, Clinton Luckett, center

NYC Menagerie
www.NYCmenagerie.com

To find out more about Rosalie visit www.rosalieoconnor.com. Have you worked with Rosalie? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!