Meet Tallia A. Petrone | Ballerina and Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tallia A. Petrone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tallia A., let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I find myself continuously inspired by history. When you look through cultures around the world, every society had a form of dance, many before they could even read and write. I think the art of storytelling, in and of itself, inspires me a lot too. One of my favorite poems is The Iliad. Reading about something as human as rage and grief connected me to the characters in a way that has persisted since I first read it in high school. And overall, that’s the goal of storytelling, right? To create not just a compelling tale, but to create an everlasting bond with your audience.

When I choreograph, I look into the past. I find stories and myths that have spoken to audiences for centuries, and translate them into movement. When I perform, I strive to create a complete character, one with human emotions and motivations, so that the story I’m telling doesn’t just last as long as the music, but sticks with the audience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a ballerina and choreographer, focused on challenging the way the “ballet body” is perceived and changing the dance industry to something more positive and accessible. I am 5’10 and multi-racial, which in dance is a rarity. Finding a place for myself has been the biggest hurtle in my career; a struggle I know several dancers face.

When faced with a thousand “no thank you”s, the biggest challenge is to persevere. In 2022, it was difficult finding positions because in a post-covid industry, there were less positions available in already small companies. To provide opportunities for myself and others, I decided to platform a collective of truly diverse dancers by founding my own dance company Pandora Ballet Company. I realized that many companies, while preaching diversity, would hire a few people of color that happened to still fit within the very limited view of what the “perfect ballerina” looked like. I worked with dancers of color, different heights, sizes, and gender identities, to highlight amazing artists and have a conversation about the outdated structure many dance companies still function beneath.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love showing people around Colorado! I always recommend Manitou Springs for a sunny afternoon, there’s amazing food and culture in that area, and in the warmer months it is awesome to get to walk around see everything. If it is one of my more outdoorsy friends, I recommend the Incline and Pikes Peak, and also Bear Creek Park if they love dogs as much as I do. If they’re more indoor inclined (like I am), I love to go to restaurants and bars with a view of the mountains for happy hours, or going to small boutiques downtown. I also love taking a day trip to one of the many hot springs in Colorado, which is great for a spa day!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shoutout my mom and dad, without them and their support, I wouldn’t have been able to make this my career. My friends, who have always been a listening ear. And the teachers that always had my back, your guidance and mentorship has kept me moving forward, even when others tried to discourage me from achieving my dream.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallia.a.petrone/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@TalliaPetrone?si=qNPU_C7wBAdDcZhy

Image Credits
Ocie Clelland Paul A Quinones