Tamás Krizsa
TAMÁS KRIZSA of Hungary, is in his fourth season with The Washington Ballet. Mr. Krizsa graduated from the Hungarian Dance Academy with honors in 2002. During his school years, he attended the International Summer Course in Budapest, Elmhurst School for Dance and Performing Arts, NCSA Summer program, Miami City Ballet School Summer Dance Program and ABT Summer Intensive, and he has performed in Japan, Germany, the United States, Latvia and Hungary. After finishing school, Mr. Krizsa danced for Columbia Classical Ballet, Bay Area Houston Ballet, Budapest Ballet and Ballet Theater Hagen in leading roles which have included Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Prince in Cinderella, Albrecht in Giselle, Escamillio in and Carmen, among others. In 2000, he received an award from the Hungarian Dance Academy, and in 2001, he received the Hungarian Dance Academy’s Maria Keresztes Memorial Prize. In 2006 and 2007, he was awarded Best Young Dancer in the Northwest Region of Germany. This is Mr. Krizsa’s third season with The Washington Ballet.
QUESTION & ANSWER
TWB: How did you spend your summer?
Tamás: I could divide my summer into two parts: Hungary and Hawaii! I go to Budapest every summer and spend a lot of time with family and friends. Bejar Ballet was touring in Hungary this summer, and I also saw some of my friends from outside the country. We went go-kart racing, rock climbing, etc. Every year when i go back to Budapest, I realize the beauty of the city and appreciate it even more. You should visit! If you are a dancer, summer is not just about resting. It's very long, so physical activity is important. I went to the gym at least 3 times a week and also started to take classes before we went to Hawaii with Septime, which was the second part of my summer...I have to say, I feel very lucky and thankful for the opportunity to go to Hawaii. Septime was asked to set his ballet, Peter Pan, in Hawaii, and he took a few of us with him (Norton, Corey, Dustin and me). Of course, we didn't go there just to enjoy the beaches, we were working hard, (I know, "poor us," huh?:) ).
TWB: What is it like to come back to the studio after a summer off? What are some of the challenges you face physically and emotionally on a daily basis?
Tamás: I was just talking with Jonathan about it a few days ago, as we started to work. It almost feels like we didn't even stop working with all we have done this all summer. It's good to see familiar faces again, after a long summer. My summer was kind of active, so i don't feel the physical challenge as much. Emotionally, I am charged with positive thoughts from the summer, which i hope will last long :)!
TWB: What do you find most exciting and/or daunting about starting a new season?
Tamás: I am always excited about new works, choreographers and challenges. I'm also excited about the new dancers -- They seem really nice.
