Ballerina’s Last Leap: A Graceful Goodbye

Gillian Murphy, a celebrated figure in American ballet for almost three decades, has been contemplating the monumental decision of when and how to retire from the American Ballet Theatre (ABT).

At 46, Murphy remains in remarkable physical condition. Recent rehearsals saw her executing leaps and turns with the vigour of dancers half her age. However, the question remained: which role would serve as her final bow after 29 years with ABT? Should she choose Juliet, a character who meets a tragic end, or Giselle, who descends into madness?

Ultimately, the most fitting – and physically demanding – option presented itself: Odette, the swan queen in ABT’s production of “Swan Lake”. In a dramatic finale, Odette leaps to her death, followed by her devoted prince, their spirits destined for a joyful reunion in the afterlife. (In reality, the dancers land safely on a mattress backstage before returning for the curtain call.)

Murphy, renowned for her interpretation of Odette/Odile, particularly her mastery of Odile’s notoriously difficult fouettés (whiplash turns), will conclude her illustrious career with “Swan Lake”. Her final performance promises to be a moving occasion, filled with bouquets, embraces, tears, and perhaps even confetti, at the Metropolitan Opera House. According to ABT head Susan Jaffe, Murphy’s “incredible work ethic, her exacting attention to detail, her strength and her joy of dance” will be greatly missed.

Following her final performance, Murphy plans to enjoy a well-deserved rest and embark on a new chapter focused on coaching aspiring dancers. She also looks forward to spending more quality time with her six-year-old son, Ax, whom she shares with her husband, Ethan Stiefel, a former principal dancer with ABT.

In a recent interview, Murphy discussed her career, her decision to retire, and her plans for the future.

A Career Beyond Expectations

Murphy reflects on her early days with ABT, having joined the company at just 17. “I would have never expected to be dancing this long, honestly,” she admits. “I think in my mind I always had 40 years old as a time frame. But I didn’t expect to feel this good at this point! I’ve truly loved my career at ABT, and it’s given me the opportunity to dance all over the world. So I’m happy I’m still here.”

The Evolution of Artistry

Ballet demands exceptional athleticism, but it also requires the ability to convey emotion and tell a story. Murphy believes that life experience has enriched her performances over time. “I do feel that life experience really does come out in performances. And when we’re telling these stories about true love and forgiveness and loss, all the dramatic sort of themes that come out in these ballets, it does make a difference when you’ve experienced those things in your life.”

The Allure of “Swan Lake”

While some ballerinas choose the role of Juliet for their farewell performance, Murphy has opted for the physically demanding “Swan Lake”. She explains, “I have so many favourite roles, but ‘Swan Lake’ includes two of my most favourite, Odette and Odile. It’s always been incredibly challenging, but also so fulfilling. When I was a kid, my dream role was the Black Swan (Odile), actually. So just in a full-circle moment, it feels special to finish with this ballet that I dreamed of doing as a kid, and first did as a young soloist with ABT 24 years ago.”

The Fouetté Challenge

Murphy is particularly known for her dazzling fouettés in the Black Swan pas de deux. “Well, I used to throw in triples, triple pirouettes in the middle of the fouettés,” she reveals. “Anything could happen on Friday night, but I think I just want to finish strong … and take risks elsewhere. I’ll probably aim to do the 32, possibly with a few doubles in there.”

The Right Time to Retire

Deciding when to retire is a difficult decision for any dancer. “It’s never an easy decision for any dancer. It’s a calling from a very early age,” Murphy explains. “But I’ve always wanted to finish strong and with my own sense of agency. I really relish when that sense of imagination and life experience and artistry is integrated with the physicality, the athleticism, the technique. And I feel like I’m still in that place where I can do that. So I want to finish with that sense of fullness.”

Maintaining Peak Condition

Murphy attributes her longevity to a combination of factors. “I never knew what to expect in terms of how long I’d be able to do this job that I love so much. But I’ve always had strong feelings about getting plenty of sleep and rest. I try to keep a daily practice of class and sometimes several hours of rehearsal, but also to take at least one day off in the week to recover. And I’ve always put a priority on being as fit and strong as possible in terms of my nutrition. So, having a really balanced diet and also enjoying desserts and just good quality, good nutritious food, I think that has helped with longevity.”

A Healthy Perspective

Murphy also emphasises the importance of maintaining a healthy attitude towards food and self-acceptance. “A healthy attitude towards food, and also a sense of humour about myself. You know, dancers are not robots. Like an athlete, we can have an off day and (we should) not let that be too discouraging. That’s par for the course.”

Overcoming Challenges

While Murphy has been fortunate to avoid major injuries, she acknowledges the challenges of returning to dance after pregnancy. “I’ve been pretty fortunate about bouncing back from muscle strains and things like that. I’d say coming back from pregnancy and an emergency c-section was not easy … but I was able to get onstage and do a full-length ‘Giselle’ when my son was 8 months old. And then, a couple of weeks after that, the pandemic hit. I had just gotten everything back together.”

Looking Ahead

In the immediate future, Murphy plans to focus on coaching and staging ballets, particularly her husband Ethan’s choreography. “I also want to take some time to process this huge transition and consider options and think about what I really want to do. I would be really surprised if it doesn’t involve giving back or working in some way in the dance world, because it’s so meaningful to me. Clearly, this is a lifetime pursuit.”