Meet the Dancers: Gillian Alexander’s Balance of Mind & Body

From Saint Louis Dance Theatre's "Meet the Dancers" series.

Gillian Alexander has been dancing since she was two years old, but it wasn't until she performed Fugue In Crimson by Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber at Juilliard that something fundamental shifted. The work taught her to serve the choreography rather than herself — to let the physicality create the theatricality. "From this process I learned how to 'serve' the work and make it float," she explains. "Meaning to put ego aside and “let the physicality of the movement create the theatricality” of your character and the story you are portraying."

Now a 2025 graduate of The Juilliard School and a debut season dancer with Saint Louis Dance Theatre, Gillian brings that same philosophy to everything she does. Her biggest passion? Exploring the boundaries of movement.

Photos by Photo by Paul Dubois

At Juilliard, Gillian performed works by an impressive roster of choreographers: Jiří Kylián, Aszure Barton, Yue Yin, Merce Cunningham, Johannes Weiland, Camille A. Brown, Caili Quan, and more. Her training also took her to The School at Jacob's Pillow and to Moncalvo, Italy, for the Orsolina28 program. Through it all, she developed a deep respect for every form of dance. "I believe that studying every style of dance is the most beneficial way of training," she says. "I apply different ideologies to all of my dancing."

That openness to learning extends beyond the studio. Gillian finds inspiration in nature, human connection, experiencing other people's art, museums, and sculptures. When she's looking to recharge in St. Louis, you might find her on a long drive or at Picasso's coffee shop on Main Street.

As for the challenges of professional dance? Gillian sees the mental and physical demands as inseparable. "They seem to be like conjoined twins," she notes. "If you are mentally struggling, your body is very aware and will become weaker over time. Vice versa, if you are physically exhausted, your mind is going to become weaker and unable to cope with pain." The key, she's learned, is finding a healthy balance and advocating for your own health.

The best advice she's received was from Risa Steinberg, dance faculty at Juilliard, and captures her approach perfectly: "Be 100 percent of whatever percent you can be." She elaborates: "On some days we can only give 40%, but I understand that I will be giving 100% of that 40%, no less." It's about showing up fully, even when your capacity isn't at its peak.

That commitment to presence and authenticity is what makes Gillian such a compelling addition to Saint Louis Dance Theatre. She's not chasing perfection — she's chasing truth in movement, honesty in performance and the kind of artistry that serves the work above all else.

There are two ways to support dancers like Gillian. Donate today or subscribe to experience this season's world-class productions.