25 to Watch 2018: Mackenzie Richter

Houston Ballet demi-soloist Mackenzie Richter is fond of saying “Adagio is not my thing,” but after her performance int he third “Kingdom of the Shades” solo in Stanton Welch’s La Bayadère, she needs to reconsider that statement. Control, suspension and floating grace to carry off the most difficult adagio work are most certainly her thing now, along with her allégro, jumping and turning abilities.

Long and leggy, the powerhouse ballerina got plucked out of HBII early to apprentice, and was then promoted to the corps mid-season in 2016 and to demi-soloist in September 2017. “I am working on being a little less academic,” says Richter. “Being perfect doesn’t mean that you are interesting to watch.”

Find out who else made Dance Magazine‘s “25 to Watch” list this year.