Originally from Colorado, Genevieve Waterbury grew up in the mountains and in the ballet studio at Boulder Ballet and eventually studied dance at Colorado State University. She then joined Nevada Ballet Theatre in Las Vegas where she collaborated annually with Cirque du Soleil. One of her favorite moments from NBT was working intimately with Cynthia Gregory on character portrayal for the company’s performance of Giselle; It deepened her interest in acting and dance theater, ultimately prompting the move to New York City.
In New York, Genevieve had opportunities to work across many genres including a Butoh Residency at Kaatsbaan with Joan Laage (Kogut Butoh), a lead dancing role in the original cast of RED, a New Musical by Lawrence Dandridge (“Ain’t Too Proud” National Tour), dancing in New York Fashion Week for JAHNKOYxPUMA, and several seasons as a company member with nathantrice/RITUALS.
Genevieve moved to Minnesota in February of 2020 and made her local choreographic debut at Sher Demeter’s River’s Edge series that fall. Highlights since then include setting On the Bank of Snake River for Christopher Watson Dance Company, collaborating with Melody Gilbert as dancer/choreographer for her documentary Judy’s Thoughts, and creating commissioned ballets Emily Dickinson: The Untold Verse, Lunar Lullaby, and Dirty Dancing, for Ballet Co.Laboratory. Genevieve also directs Ballet Co.Laboratory’s second company, and the non-professional Performance Ensemble. She creates original choreography for these groups each season. Her short stories, Tortoise and the Hare and Danse Macabre were performed alongside the company at Orchestra Hall and the Cowles Center.
Genevieve teaches open ballet classes and continues to perform. She’s worked with Honeyworks, Jagged Moves, Hatch Dance, Ballet Co.Laboratory, Sod House Theater, and Christopher Watson Dance Company. She sings and writes poetry, often as another dimension of her choreographic process, and is a certified instructor of The GYROTONIC® Method.
For information on current and most recent work, visit the Upcoming page.
Mission and Inspiration
Photo by: Cody Oliver
Like Someone in Love, Photo by: Gwen Phillips
Choreographic
My greatest inspirations are nature and storytelling. I believe my artistic voice developed not just from my formal training, but from falling in love, experiencing homesickness and heartache, and from the feeling in my belly at the first sight of flower buds each spring. I strive to create spaces that foster a sensitivity for, and a desire to empathize with, all stages and forms of life… spaces where listening and digesting are as important as generating… spaces where bodies look and move differently, even when they tell similar stories.
Teaching
My approach to teaching has been shaped and reshaped by my desire to tell stories, by recovering from dance injuries, and by mentors who inspired emotional growth as much as technical. The multidisciplinary foundation of my teaching aims to identify and confront habits which obstruct individual artistry and often lead to injury. In my classes, I present music as a partnership and encourage imaginative play!