We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eric Trope a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eric, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve had two projects in 2023 that have been extremely meaningful to me.

On February 16th, I debuted a work for the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City. This extraordinary group of pre-professional dancers exceeded what I had envisioned- bringing joy and authenticity to my four movement ballet with music by John Corigliano. It was many firsts for me- the first time showing my work in a theater in New York, my first work in socks, my first time working with contemporary dancers, my first piece since leaving my job as a professional ballet dancer a year and a half earlier. Sitting in the theater I felt my mind race from anxiety and dread to excitement and nervousness, not sure which emotion to dwell on too long. As the piece came to its conclusion, the rollercoaster came to a stop and I felt proud. Proud of what I had created, proud of all the moments that had led to that one.

A week later on February 23rd, I am down in Miami to scout for new Community Fridge locations. In 2020 at the start of the pandemic and laid off from my dancing job, my friends and I founded Buddy System- a nonprofit helping people experiencing food insecurity, It was this meaningful project that helped me to have the confidence to leave my steady job, become a freelancer, and create a life that felt truly meaningful to me. Now after almost three years of existence, I was in Miami to help us find locations to place Community Fridges- outdoor fridges providing the community with free, healthy food. After two weeks of searching, I had found five locations interested in hosting fridges- eager to help their neighborhood in these difficult times.

Though these two projects might seem like they take place in different worlds, they produce a similar outcome for me. I receive the same high in knowing I created something that wasn’t once there before, something that exists to help and encourage those around me. In creating this new thing, I am enlisting active participants in a reciprocal relationship- providing and receiving inspiration in equal parts. For most of my life, I was involved in art that was commoditized and participants were abused for their talents. My work in the community has served as a compass for my art making. If it doesn’t feel communal and nourishing, it’s not somewhere I want to create.

I’ve often felt pressured to pick a lane and I’ve simply realized that I do myself a disservice when I give into this narrative. Different parts of me feel fulfilled, nurtured, and happy when I’m doing different things. My work as a community organizer informs my work as an artist and vice versa- I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m a freelance choreographer, dancer, repetiteur, and cofounder of the nonprofit Buddy System.

I started dancing in the seventh grade and went on to study at the School of American Ballet in New York City. I spent 12 years as a professional ballet dancer, dancing with the Pennsylvania Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and as a guest artist with Ballet Tucson and BalletX. I’ve been lucky enough to dance a vast amount of repertoire including works by Balanchine, Robbins, Forsythe, Ratmansky, Taylor, Kylian, Peck, and tour extensively including the NY State Theater and NY City Center in NYC, the Music Center and Segerstrom Center in LA, and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

I’ve been choreographing for over a decade. Most recently my work could be seen on the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group and for Columbia University’s Ballet Collective. I’ve also premiered work for the Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival, the Miami City Ballet School and Apprentice Program, Dimensions Dance Theater, the New York Choreographic Institute, and the Mainly Mozart Festival.

In March 2021, I staged Justin Peck’s Heatscape for the Finnish National Ballet and in April 2023, will stage this work again for the National Dance Company in Madrid, Spain.

Finally, I am a cofounder of Buddy System, a nonprofit focusing on food insecurity founded at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our programming includes ten Community Fridges, repurposing food waste to feed local communities, and a food distribution delivering food to homebound individuals.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that pursuing my art didn’t always mean stability and comfort. After 12 years of dancing professionally, it wasn’t until I had a seven month lay-off during the COVID-19 pandemic that I realized I wasn’t truly happy or fulfilled, Working for people who make you feel small or who diminish your efforts-even if that job in your “dream profession”-is not worth the payoff. I found this out the hard way but I am so grateful I did.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

It took me many years to land a position in a ballet company. When I finally landed a coveted spot dancing in a ballet company, I went many seasons and years being relegated to the back line of the corps de ballet. I felt overlooked, unappreciated, and considered quitting after finally receiving my “dream job.” I decided that if I was going to stay in this job, I was going to start dancing for myself. I found new growth and joy in taking ballet class each day and the repertory I was given. As I changed my mindset, my casting started to improve. I was given roles that challenged and pushed me. It has taught me a valuable lesson that resilience isn’t always about fighting an outside force but finding and cultivating the best version of yourself in any environment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erictrope.com
• Instagram: @eric_trope
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-trope-b9234557

Image Credits
Ricky Cohete, Leigh Ann Esty, Alex Hamm