Lacey Tisdale
Lacey Tisdale grew up dancing in Georgia at the British Academy of Performing Arts, where she trained under Bethany Butts Elias, Marina Levasheva, and Jennifer Smiles Plumley. She earned her BFA in Ballet Performance on academic scholarship from the University of Oklahoma in 2020. While at OU, she was privileged to perform in choreography by George Balanchine, Nilas Martins, Willam Christensen, Michel Fokine, Boyko Dossev, Michael Bearden, and Mary Margaret Holt, among others. She performed as the Snow Queen in Willam Christensen’s The Nutcracker, a corps dancer in Concerto Barocco, and the Mother of the Groom in Nilas Martins’ Les Noces. She is excited for her 3rd season with NWA Ballet Theatre this year!
get to know the dancer
Where are you from?
I'm originally from Georgia, but Oklahoma has a special place in my heart, too--it's where I went to school and where my in-laws live!
In one sentence, describe your "discovery" of ballet. Or, what was your pathway to ballet?
My next-door neighbor brought me to my first dance studio when I was 3 and I fell in love!
Do you remember the first ballet you ever saw? What was it and how did it affect you?
The first ballet I remember seeing was a tape of Giselle. It remains my favorite ballet--so much drama!
What do you like to do outside of dance (hobbies, interests, etc.)?
I love getting outdoors, whether that's hiking, swimming, or watching a sunset! I also like crafting and baking.
What are some of your other talents?
I can touch my nose with my tongue! I can also make decent macarons.
What are some of your indulgences?
I love chocolate ice cream and the occasional splurge at the craft store!
What is your favorite role that you have performed? Have not performed?
I absolutely loved performing as the Firebird at my home studio, and I would love to dance as Giselle or a leading lady in Petite Mort!
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I like to listen to music while I put on my make-up--typically worship music or "Hamilton"!
If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?
A Spanish teacher!
How do you spend your summer breaks?
With family when possible! Ideally at the beach when I'm not in the studio or nannying.
If I could visit any country in the world it would be….
So hard to pick just one! Probably Spain. Or Australia. Or Greece or Ecuador or....
What does Northwest Arkansas mean to you? Why is it special or different from other places you've danced/trained?
NWA is such an interesting conglomerate, both as a region and as a company. I love the people and environment in the company--everyone has been so welcoming and supportive!
What are three things people might not know about you?
I have a small garden on my patio, most of which is plants I grew from food scraps!
I went to 9 schools between kindergarten and college!
I speak Spanish!