Meet the Dancers: Angel Khaytyan’s Edge
From Saint Louis Dance Theatre's "Meet the Dancers" series.
Angel Khaytyan doesn't just dance, they investigate. For Angel, now in his second season with Saint Louis Dance Theatre, contemporary dance is about finding new means of expression through the body. "I'm interested in cutting edge work that is at the forefront of revolutionary art," they explain. "Remaining curious about what the body can achieve pushes me to exciting new places every day in my practice."
Angel Khaytyan in Chaconne by José Limón | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich
That curiosity has taken Angel far. Starting at Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, they earned a full-tuition scholarship to NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where they performed works by Camille A. Brown and Stephen Petronio. After graduating, Angel joined DanceWorks Chicago, touring nationally and internationally — including performances in Germany and the U.K. — and training with companies such as Ballett Am Rhein in Düsseldorf and Rambert Dance in London.
But it's one particular work in STLDT's repertoire that has fundamentally changed Angel as an artist: Chaconne by José Limón. "The themes of this work have struck such an emotional chord within me," Angel shares. "Learning to truly believe in my sense of self through this process has made me grow in such a profound way that for me, there is a time before and a time after Chaconne. It's an absolute honor to perform it, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude every time."
That sense of transformation through performance reflects Angel's broader artistic philosophy. The best advice they've received? "Work in the extremes." It's a principle that shows up in everything Angel does — from their four-minute daily plank routine to their fascination with avant-garde film on the Criterion Collection and Mubi, a global streaming service focused on curated and independent cinema.
When Angel looks for inspiration, they turn to human connection. "I love observing and connecting with people," they note. "Human social conditions are often wildly fascinating and in need of analysis from a unique perspective." You might find Angel recharging at Forest Park or Tower Grove Park, watching the rhythms of the city unfold.
Angel Khaytyan and Nyna Moore in For Love’s Sake by Kirven Douthit-Boyd | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich
As for challenges? For Angel, it's physical. "My hips hurt every day," they admit with characteristic frankness. But that honesty is part of what makes Angel such a compelling performer — they bring their whole self to the work, extremes and all.
Angel's favorite memory from last season captures the heart of what they love about this career: "Touring (to Springfield, Mo.) together was very special." It's not just about the performances. It's about the connections made, the curiosity shared and the revolutionary art created together.
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