Summer Guest Artists: Krystal Hall-Glass
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
presents its annual Summer Dance Intensive, which provides a rigorous
curriculum fostering learning and personal growth, along with
opportunities to experience the company’s repertoire through workshops and performances. The program’s
Pre-Professional/Professional Division for ages 16 and older and the
Youth program (ages 13–15) learn technique and DRDT repertoire.
Krystal Hall-Glass, one of two guest instructors, appeared on Broadway in The Wiz
while attending The Julliard School on a dance scholarship. After an
illustrious performing career, she became the first African-American
graduate from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance with an MFA in
performance/teaching. She has worked with choreographers Sarah
Stackhouse, Michael Peters, Earl Mosley, Nathan Trice, Shirley
Black-Brown, Otis Sallid, George Faison, Andrea Woods and Raymond
Harris; legendary actor Ossie Davis; and famed jazz musicians Max Roach
and Cassandra Reeves. She toured nationally and internationally as
principal dancer with Kevin Iega Jeff’s highly acclaimed Jubilation!
Dance Company, garnering a Bessie nomination. She received a
choreographic grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and her
choreography has been performed by members of Alvin Ailey American Dance
Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Creative
Outlet, Opus Dance Theatre Company, The Julliard School and The
Frankfurt Ballet. She has instructed at Lincoln Center Institute,
LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts, Newark’s Arts High School,
Professional Performing Arts High School, Howard University, City
College, SUNY Purchase, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, The 45
Degrees Project and Koresh Dance Company. The resident choreographer of
Riverdale Children’s Theatre, she has been cited six times in ‘Who’s Who
Among America’s Teachers” for her contributions to the art of dance and
recognized twice by the New York Foundation of the Arts for her work
with promising dance students. She was dance director for Mind-Builders
Creative Arts Center and the famed Harlem School of the Arts, where,
under her directorship, more than 50 students were accepted into
professional performing arts dance programs within a five-year period.
Expounding on her ability to foster excellence in the dance arts, she is
the president and founder of Krystal Glass (e)Motion By Design, a
support company that maximizes the performance, professionalism and
presentation of dancers and like organizations.
 
When and how did you first discover dance and decide it would be your life’s work?
I discovered dance as a young child, when I was maybe about five to six
years old. I remember seeing ballerinas on television knowing that my
parents would not support my taking a dance class. My interest continued
via television, and I would pester two neighborhood friends who went to
dance classes to teach me what they learned each week. One friend was
so impressed with how I responded to what she taught me, she set up a
day to bring me to her school to show her instructor. On that day, I hid
under my bed because I was afraid to show what I had learned. I later
took African class at Ruth William Dance studio in Harlem for a year. At
the annual recital I discovered modern dance via Brenda Braxton, who
attended Performing Arts High School (PA). I auditioned later that year
and was accepted into the school. Then I knew that I would always
dance.
What have been some highlights of your dance career?
In retrospect I believe I have been lucky to always work with
exceptional people. I always wanted to do great work, no matter what it
was. I was thrust into schools and organizations that were considered
the epitome of excellence, dancing alongside extraordinary talent. It
was all I knew so I didn't realize its importance at the time. It is in
retrospect that I realize my path has been what could be considered
exceptional.
What made you decide to become an instructor? What particular satisfaction does it provide?
I have always been an instructor. My first teaching job was in the Bronx
with Aco at 16 years old. At that point I had been training for only
two years. I realized if I could retain the command and attention of
these young kids, I could teach anybody. At PA, I choreographed our
senior shows/talent shows, so I have always been in a position of
telling people what to do (LOL)! The satisfaction that I get from
watching raw unformed talent walk into the room and being instrumental
in developing that talent is a blessing. I hope I leave an imprint on
younger dancers that informs their artistry and development of a
personal/professional standard.
Would you talk about your history with Deeply Rooted and with Iega even before Deeply Rooted was founded?
Iega is my brother, mentor, inspiration, cheerleader—I have known him
since PA. As he was a year older in the most advanced class, I would
harass him daily to teach me what his class had learned. And he did so
daily. I auditioned for and was accepted into the initial production of
what would later become Jubilation! Dance Company. It was made up of
Juilliard School students and PA graduates. The response was so
overwhelming that Iega forged forward into developing the company in New
York. After the company was hit hard by the AIDS epidemic, Iega moved
to Chicago direct Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater for year, then
founded Deeply Rooted in Chicago.
What are you looking forward to when you work with Deeply Rooted in Chicago this summer?
I look forward to working with artists in varying stages of their
development who are passionate and fearless about artistry and the work
it takes to get there. There are few organizations (and people within)
willing to be vulnerable, work tirelessly, share and grow through a
common quest for self realization. After being away from this
methodology of work for so long, one wonders if people still aspire to
it (or just want to be famous). I ultimately rejuvenate, get
inspired/inspire and am able to reengage in other situations knowing
that the quest for true artistry and its development still exists.
Again, I didn’t necessarily dance to be famous—just to do good work.
Don't miss Deeply Rooted Dance Theater's Summer Dance Intensive
and Emerging Choreographers Showcase performances
Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m. at
the Reva and David Logan Center for the Performing Arts,
915 E. 60th Street, Chicago.
A reception follows the July 20 performance.
Tickets are $25; a VIP ticket of $150
provides additional support for these programs.
Tickets are available at summer-dance-intensive-2019.eventbrite.com
Top photo of Krystal Hall-Glass courtesy of the artist.
Middle photos of Krystal Hall-Glass from early JUBILATION! performances by Steven Speliotis.
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