by Cary Vaughn
When the house lights dim and the stage comes to life in Memphis, audiences are transported into another world. What they don’t see is the discipline and dedication behind every pirouette, every monologue, and every gesture. Maintaining both physical and mental well-being is essential for performers to stay strong, focused, and resilient through rehearsals and live performances.
Ballet Memphis and Playhouse on the Square offer a window into how wellness fuels artistry. Ben Delony, Rehearsal Director at Ballet Memphis, explains that ballet is not just poetry in motion—it’s demanding athleticism. “Dancers today must have superhuman strength and agility to master both classical and contemporary repertoire,” he says. “A healthy and supple spine comes from an intuitive integration of core muscles. Flexibility stems from strength, not the other way around.”
photo courtesy of Playhouse on the Square.
photo by Bill Simmers.
To meet these demands, Ballet Memphis weaves wellness into daily routines, offering on-site physical therapy, daily technique classes, and cross-training through Pilates, yoga, and group fitness. “Ballet can be anaerobic, requiring sudden bursts of force with high technique,” Delony notes. “Cross-training is vital for longevity and injury prevention.”
Acting, too, requires stamina, mental clarity, and emotional depth. Michael Gravois, a Resident Company Member at Playhouse on the Square, walks 3.5 miles daily, supplements with core training and light weights, and treats walking as meditation and rehearsal for memorization. “Acting is physically and mentally demanding. This routine keeps me energized for weeks of rehearsals and performances,” he says.
Mental wellness is equally important. Actors must “de-role” after intense performances, separating themselves from characters through grounding exercises, journaling, mindfulness, or reconnecting with daily routines. “I’ve learned to turn nerves into excitement,” Gravois shares. “They’re two sides of the same coin. Shifting mindset makes all the difference.”
Memphis’s arts community thrives not only on talent but on intentional care for the body and mind. Ballet Memphis and Playhouse on the Square nurture artists while inspiring audiences, offering classes, performances, and community programs that make the arts accessible to all.
Whether you’re a performer or a newcomer, Memphis’s arts scene invites you to explore movement, creativity, and connection. Step into a class, attend a performance, or simply immerse yourself in the community. Here, the stage is more than a performance—it’s a space for healing, growth, and celebrating the human spirit.
Ballet Memphis
Classes for all ages, including Pilates and ballet
Nutcracker
Orpheum Theatre
December 12–14, 2025
balletmemphis.org
Playhouse on the Square
Arts education for nearly 30,000 annually
Junie B. Jones: The Musical
Nov 7–Dec 20, 2025
The Wizard of Oz
Nov 14–Dec 21, 2025
A Tuna Christmas
Nov 21–Dec 21, 2025
playhouseonthesquare.org
