Lauren Vogel joined Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company as a Trainee for the 2019-20 Season. Challenges plagued 2020, but Lauren soldiered on. Find out more about this Colorado native.
Q: TELL US WHEN YOU BECAME A DANCER?
A: I was about 11 1/2 years old when I started dancing, but prior to that, I was a competitive gymnast. I’m not really sure why I decided to start, except that it just seemed very intriguing to me. Since I didn’t really have any exposure to ballet, my sparked interest definitely came as a surprise to my family, but I just knew that it was something I needed to be doing!
Q: WHAT DID YOU DO DURING THE EXPANDED OFF SEASON?
A: During the expanded 2020 off season, I was at home in Colorado alongside my family, trying to grasp any and all ballet I could get my hands on. I took a multitude of Zoom classes with KC Ballet and my home studio, using our China cabinet as my ballet barre. Frighteningly symbolic of the current situation, I quickly learned the importance of having a gentle relationship with ballet, so that all of the fragile China inside does not turn to rubble!
Q: WHO INSPIRES YOU?
A: Now more than ever, I am learning to really appreciate the inspiration I receive from my fellow dancers. While dancing in solitary for so long, it became easy to feel unoriginal and mundane. Now being back in the studio surrounded by other dancers has filled me with color. Being alongside other artists has inspired me to be myself wholly, as we all bring a significant and unique differences to the table.
Q: WITH SO MANY UNKNOWNS, WHAT POSITIVES DO YOU CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON THIS SEASON?
A: This 2020-21 season, I am focusing on approaching anything and everything that comes my way fully and with strength. Where I may have been hesitant in the past, I am learning the importance of ‘going for it’ because we never can know when ‘it’ will no longer be available. I am trying to remind myself that wherever you are, be all there.
Photograph by Savanna Daniels.
