Dancer Fun Facts | Melanie Rodrigues
Get to know the professional artists of Ballet 5:8 as we ask them about their hometowns, favorite dance memories, and people who helped them succeed.
Melanie Rodrigues with Tehillah Hartmann at Ballet 5:8’s Revive Retreat
Where is your hometown? What is it like?
Dayton, OH! Dayton is small, with mostly suburbs surrounding the city.
Is there one person that helped you get where you are today? If so, tell us a little about them and your journey.
Tehillah Hartmann. She has helped me connect the dots between my faith and my dance! When I found her on Instagram (@being_salt) I saw the freedom she had, and I thought to myself, I want that! We would later connect which opened up a wonderful relationship I deeply treasure. Thanks to Ballet 5:8’s Revive Retreat, I had the privilege of meeting her this summer for the first time in person!
What is one favorite or funny memory from your years of dance training?
My funniest memory on stage is from a Spanish ballet called Olé! In this ballet, there are three dancers and one chair. We start the ballet each wearing a scarf that has a long fringe hanging from it, then set our scarves on the chair. Later in the ballet, we go back for the scarves, but my friend goes to pick hers up and realizes it’s stuck! In order to keep going, she leaves it, hoping to free it the next chance she has—and each time one of us is close to the chair we try to discretely tug the scarf free. In one of these not-so-subtle attempts, the chair goes flying, and we are now stepping over scarves and the chair! By the end and after every failed attempt to restore the dignity of the piece we leave the stage laughing so hard we were crying!
What is your favorite thing about summer in Chicago? Do you have a favorite place to visit/local restaurant/activity?
One thing I enjoy is having more free time to spend with my friends here in Chicago, especially exploring new restaurants and fun spots around the city!
Last thing—what in the upcoming 2021/22 season are you most excited for?
I’m most excited to perform some of the older rep! Since I’ve been around Ballet 5:8 for a few years now, I’m familiar with or have seen most of the returning rep. I’m excited to revisit them with the company this year!