Rena Butler

I have many different styles of dance that I’m interested in. I’ve trained primarily in ballet and contemporary, and in ballroom (salsa), West African dance, traditional Balinese dance, hip hop and street styles, and more. All these styles make me a stronger dance and choreographic artist.

I choose primarily the styles of contemporary and ballet because I felt the most liberated in these forms. There is so much that can be interpreted, from a very literal or abstract point of view.

I started getting serious with dance around the age of 12. I knew then that I wanted to pursue a career out of this, travel the world with it, connect with people, and educated myself on various styles to find something new in movement.

This is a hard question to answer, there are so many! One of my favourite dancing experiences was dancing in Ohad Naharin’s Decadance with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. I can’t remember when I stopped thinking and started feeling the moment. As tiring as his work is, as it requires all 5 of your senses to be one hundred percent, It felt as though I was gliding through space with ease. It feels so nice when you can reach that in any work – the moment you stop forcing it and just immerse your entire being into the world the choreographer has created.

I would love to work for so many people, as there are a lot of interesting voices to dance with and for. One person is Damien Jalet – he has a very interesting eye and I’d be intrigued to dive into a process with him to see where our crafts could potentially meet.

Dance is the extreme extension of who I am – the fullest expression. It is the hidden door into my soul, and with each process I go through as a dance artist, I can unlock secrets passages in myself that often can come as a surprise. I get to know myself and other people through this art form – it’s beautiful.

I like both equally. I love both because you can have live dialogue in real time with an audience or a group of artists while you’re on stage or at the front of a studio. Sometimes you’re unsure of how the exchange will be or where it takes you.

I would be an assassin or a secret spy. I love to move stealthily, quietly, and with force. It would be fun to travel the world and go out on secret mission. Plus, the disguises would be the most fun part, in constantly shifting personas.

I’m curious, imaginative, playful, silly, creative, warm, bold. Understanding myself and the world around me is important. I believe fluidity equals expansion. I love cooking, traveling, surfing, adventure.

Still playful, still curious, and laughing more. I see myself constantly operating from a place of joy, doing things on my own terms. I am with my partner – living in Bali. I am still choreographing for various companies and institutions – still learning – still vibing, and enjoying what life presents and am positively immersed in it.