a female dancer wearing purple joggers and an orange tank posing in a contracted position with one leg lifted and her arms connected overhead

Rena Butler’s Internal Shift From Performer to Choreographer

Yet since transitioning from primarily a dance artist to primarily a choreographic artist, I’ve found my collaborators and mindset shifting from week to week. Going on the road to work on multiple projects a year, living out of a suitcase, isn’t the easiest lifestyle. You are perpetually encountering new artists and spaces. With that comes the dreaded impostor syndrome: Am I experienced enough? How will people receive what I’ve created? Will the dancers connect with what I’m building? Those questions had been holding me hostage.

Rena Butler in a red dress is seen from the hips up, leaning to the side, hands framing her face loosely. She looks at the camera with an open expression

Rena Butler: The Epitome of Contemporary Cool

As a rising senior at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, Rena Butler asked Amber Lee Parker to create her graduation solo. Parker, a Purchase alumna, was then dancing with choreographer Kyle Abraham’s company. To suss out Butler’s ways of working, Parker invited the 21-year-old to a rehearsal on a hot summer day in […]

News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in February 2021

Here are the latest promotions, appointments and departures, as well as notable awards and accomplishments, from the last month. Comings & Goings Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell has been named artistic director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. María Riccetto has been appointed artistic director of the Ballet Nacional de Sodre. Terry Wilson has been named artistic director of […]

Gibney Company Names Rena Butler as its First Choreographic Associate

Rena Butler has been named Gibney Company’s first-ever choreographic associate. Announced Thursday, the full-time three-year position includes liberal time for research and travel, studio space and creative and administrative support. In addition to creating new works for New York City’s Gibney Company, Butler is encouraged to pursue other national and international commissions. She will select […]

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

Sign up for any or all of these newsletters

You have Successfully Subscribed!