Courtesy of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Phillip Martin-Nielson began his journey with dance at just 6 years old. It was something he'd always known he wanted to do, despite not coming from a family of dancers. But from his first ballet course, he was in love. Six years later, he slipped on his first pair of pointe shoes, and by 15 he was granted admission to the School of American Ballet. In 2012, when Martin-Nielson was 18 years old, he auditioned for Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo and was accepted.
Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo, or The Trocks, as they're affectionately called, are professional male dancers who perform a full repertoire of ballet and modern dance that includes original works alongside classical pieces. Each one is infused with comedy through the embellishment of the accidents, imperfections, and hidden discrepancies of serious dance. Men dance all the parts, including the swans, princesses, and Victorian ladies. The ballet company has earned international praise and cultivated a global cult following during its performances in more than 600 cities around the world. Soon, that long list will include St. Louis, as Dance St. Louis brings the The Trocks to the Touhill Performing Arts Center stage on April 16.
“I didn't realize how much I really loved dancing en pointe and exploring the female repertoire until I was a little later teenager, and that pushed me to really audition for The Trocks, because I knew that that's probably where I would be the happiest,” says Martin-Nielson. “Back in the day, [men dancing en pointe] used to be a little bit more taboo, but now it's so much more accepted and so much more open, and so many more kids now are wanting to join Trockadero. It's giving a lot more people hope within this dance world that everyone can dance.”
Martin-Nielson says that, for him, it was a bit difficult to learn the comedy aspects of the show, given his serious ballet background. Trockadero has many set jokes, but the way they execute those jokes is what makes their show more personal. It takes a few years to properly grasp the exact comedic timing, says Martin-Nielsen, and if you try too hard to make people laugh, you’re not going to succeed. The key is to do whatever is most natural.
When dancers first join The Trocks, artistic director Tory Dobrin will observe them over the first week or so, then decide the name and the persona for that specific dancer. For Martin-Nelson, Dobrin chose ballerina Nadia Doumiafeyva and danseur Kravlji Snepek. The Trocks use names that have been with the company since its founding in 1974, and Martin-Nelson says it's an honor to be able to keep the names of many of the ballerinas from the company’s past alive. He explains that the names are one way that the group tries to stay in tune with ballet history.
That original group of men who started The Trocks in the '70s realized the importance of presenting classical works that introduced ballet to America in the same way the Ballets Russes did throughout the early 20th century, by brining classical ballets to a variety of small towns and cities in the United States and abroad. Martin-Nielson says if it wasn’t for the Ballet Russes, most of the country “might have never seen a ballet in their life.
“The Trocks is an important aspect to have in the world of dance, as it is a real vital tool and gateway for many dancers who don't feel that they quite fit into the traditional mold of ballet companies and dancers," Martin-Nielson adds. "If you're a male dancer that's willing and has a great passion to dance en pointe, this is a really wonderful place for that.”
Martin-Nielsen’s advice to male dancers interested in Trockadero: try to find teachers who are willing to work with, nurture, and accept them working within the discipline.
“Always keep doing what you like to do, and dance the way that you want to dance,” he says. “Don't try to dance like somebody else.”
The Trocks will perform at Touhill Performing Arts Center on April 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40–$69 and available through MetroTix.