Artist Statement

My work has developed as a response to the culture of traditional classical ballet: predominantly on the physical and mental expectations placed on classical ballet artists, and the outdated and often harmful aesthetic values of the style. My movement style focuses on a subversion of classical ballet in combination with contemporary and modern dance with an emphasis on musicality, as well as honest and relatable storytelling from a well-informed and compassionate point of view. This level of vulnerability serves to connect viewers to the movement and to the performers, in addition to fostering connection between the performers and the movement itself. I never want anyone to leave a performance of my work feeling that they “don’t get dance,” or that dance is only meant to be understood by an elite few. My movement strives to “meet audiences where they are,” creating works where there is understanding and empathy to be found at every level of viewership.  I want audiences to feel that my work was made generously for them. 

The “ballet world” is not often very accepting of viewpoints and cultural shifts that differ from precedents that have lingered since the mid-19th century: it is important to be joyful but not loud, boisterous, or silly, and to be vulnerable but not ugly or “too real.” Dance performance is often limited by these constructs. I strive to create innovative work that breaks down these barriers and showcases contemporary dance as a powerful and relevant vehicle for communication, connectedness, joy, and change.

Biography

Christina Lindhout (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and director based in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to performing, teaching, and choreographing across the country, Christina is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Baldwin Wallace University, where she is the director of all BW Conservatory of Performing Arts Dance Series performances. With over 26 years of training in classical ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and tap, she has danced professionally since she was 17 years old and has performed many principal roles both locally and internationally to critical acclaim. Before coming to BW, Christina performed as a Company Member with BalletMet and Ohio Contemporary Ballet, and served as the Director of Community Engagement at the Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center for Dance. In 2020, Christina premiered a full-length choreographic and directorial work, FEAST: a ballet, for which she and the creative team were awarded a Satellite Fund grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation through SPACES gallery. To date, FEAST has been the recipient of awards all over the world. Christina has also had choreography selected to be performed at Playhouse Square, Cleveland Public Theatre, Ohio Contemporary Ballet, Baldwin Wallace University, Cuyahoga County Community College, for the Brain Injury Association of Ohio, and as an official selection of the CAN Triennial. Christina is the recipient of a 2020 Akron Soul Train Fellowship, a 2022 Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for Choreography, as well as the Summit Artspace Arts Alive Award as the 2023 Outstanding Artist in Dance. 

For each of her projects, Christina leads a diverse group of talented freelance Cleveland-based artists. With over 60 years of professional dance experience between them, these artists enrich the cultural landscape of Northeast Ohio and beyond through their tireless contributions to their communities. These artists come together to perform, teach, share their artistry and creativity, and platform diverse stories and viewpoints through their art.