This past summer the new Company Apprentice moved from Texas to start his professional dancing career upon graduation from the University of Oklahoma.
Photo: Kolman Rosenberg (2021) Dancers: Emily Dietz, Isaac Hileman
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QUESTIONS WITH ISAAC HILEMAN
What age did you start dancing? I started dancing when I was seven years old at the Dallas Ballet Center in Texas. I started out watching my sister through the glass doors of the studios and eventually my parents enrolled me in a boys ballet class. What drove you to a career in dance? I began to fall in love with the challenge and nuance of dance, both physically and musically. That passion led me to the University of Oklahoma where I discovered what it means to be an artist within my dancing. Your favorite role or piece to dance? I have so many favorite dances! My favorite full length classical ballet to dance is Don Quixote. At OU, I loved getting to dance Lickety Split by Alejandro Cerrudo, and a new work by Mariana Oliveira called So Near and Yet So Far. How do you stay motivated? I am most productive when I stick to a consistent schedule.
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verbiculture | October 2021
If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be? I’ve taken several anatomy and health-related classes and love the idea of working in the health field. My dream job in that field would be a physical therapist or athletic trainer. What is the last book you read? I just finished reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons. I always have a sci-fi book I am working on. What are you are looking forward to next? I recently began my professional career post-college at the beginning of July. I am naturally nervous about what “real life” will be like, but I am very excited to see where my life takes me and how my dancing evolves. What is an interesting fact about you? I like to bake. What 3 things would you need if you are on a deserted island? A book, a dance floor, and a kitchen.
