Dancer Spotlight: Rena Takahashi
Name: Rena Takahashi
Hometown: Fukushima, Japan
Company Member Since: 2023
Instagram: @renatakahashi9
What’s your “origin story”? How did you fall in love with ballet?
I first became aware of ballet because my older sister was very flexible, and people often asked if she practiced ballet. When I was three, I went to watch a class with her. She was starting ballet, and I decided to start too. At first, I was trying to keep up with my sister, but I gradually became more serious. Over time, ballet naturally became part of my everyday life.
Do you have any pre-show rituals or good-luck habits?
Not really. I do like to tidy my room or my dressing room before I go on stage.
Ballet is so demanding- how do you take care of your body and recharge offstage?
Every night before I sleep, I make time to stretch and use a roller. I also try to soak in the bath as much as I can.
What’s your go-to comfort food after a long rehearsal day?
As a Japanese person, Japanese food fits my body and makes me feel at home. I do not have one specific dish. My mother always made well balanced meals, so I tend to cook recipes inspired by that.
Dancer memories are super-charged. How do you keep track of choreography?
If I am having a hard time, I focus on output. I will dance it a few times, or break the steps down like I am going to explain them to someone.
If you could dance any role, regardless of gender or repertoire, what would it be?
There are too many, and I cannot decide.
Aside form shoes and warmups, what is a staple in your dance bag?
A TheraBand, a tennis ball, and a roller for training and for massage and muscle release. And coffee.
Where do you see ballet heading in the next few years, and what excites you most about being part that future?
Traditional ballet will always be performed, but new styles are being created all over the world. As existing works are staged in different regions, I enjoy seeing each dancer’s unique interpretation. I am excited to expand my repertoire and gain more experience, so I can deepen my understanding of ballet as a dancer.
