KCB II dancer and member of Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company, Austin Meiteen is from Austin, Tex. He joined Kansas City Ballet last season as a Trainee. Depending on the cast of each show, he performs as the dancing bear, a Trepak, Mother Ginger and more during performances of The Nutcracker through Dec. 23, 2018.
Q: TELL US WHY YOU BECAME A DANCEr.
A: My older sister started dance when we were younger, and for carpool reasons, it was just easiest to take me to the studio with her when she had class. They saw me dancing around the waiting room and asked if I wanted to join classes too. I haven’t stopped since.
Q: WHAT QUESTION DO YOU GET ASKED MOST ABOUT BEING A DANCER?
A: “Can you do the splits?” And then, depending on how sore I am or what pants I’m wearing, I usually drop and show them.
Q: WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE DANCING IN PROFESSIONAL COMPANY PERFORMANCES?
A: Kind of surreal. It’s something you work for so long, and then one day it just happens. It never feels possible to stop growing within a performance either. I want everything to be of the best of its ability for every performance, for every new crowd. Knowing now that people are paying to see me makes me want to be that much more.
Q: WHAT’S SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
A: My family had four dogs and two sugar gliders when I was growing up. Animals are highly valued to me.
Q: WHAT WAS THE BEST LIFE ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
A: Never be afraid to want more.
Top Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.
