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Learn how to eat like a dancer with the stars of the Martha Graham Dance Company

May 11, 2009

Martha Graham as Clytemnestra in 1958

This week, the Martha Graham Dance Company returns to the Skirball Center to perform to the New York premiere of Graham's classic, full-evening ballet Clytemnestra.  The Graham dancers have recently returned from a week of sold-out, critically acclaimed performances in Paris, and went right back to the studio to prepare for this week's shows.  Needless to say, maintenance of their bodies it their first priority, which means being aware of when, how and what they eat 

The following email interview reveals that the stars of the Graham company have the same vices as us normal, flabby people, but that they know how to balance it with foods that keep them energized.  Energy tips include the vitamin-C in emergen-c or citrus fruits, brownies with goji and mangosteen berries, and high levels of protein (apparently they have a group obsession with steak).  Healthy starch options include apples, zucchini and squash.  

Buy tickets here to the Martha Graham Dance Company's New York Season to see just how energy-efficient these diet suggestions are!

Want to know more about the Graham company and what they'll be performing this week? Check out NY1's exclusive on the company, and the rave descriptions from the New Yorker and The New York Times.

Do you have any specific dietary restrictions, like being a vegan or a vegetarian, and do they impact your energy levels or body in a certain way?

Jennifer Depalo (Elektra): No eating restrictions but I have been trying to change to 50 percent "raw"- a very tough thing but extremely energizing and cleansing! 

Blakely McGuire (Cassandra): No restrictions, I just don't eat late.

Maurizio (Aegisthus): No, some time I have to remember to have proper meals at the right times.

Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch (Helen of Troy): i try not to eat processed foods (even though most mainstream food is), no high fructose corn syrup or partially hygrogenated oil-- give me all natural with fat in moderation! Only organic meats and dairy.  On tour, is hard to monitor when eating out, but you can always ask.  Real foods with high nutritional value help my body run in balance and efficiently (they are like medicine).

David Zurak (Agamemnon): i try to eat organic whenever I can and have been avoiding american red meat, mostly chicken, lots of grains and greens energy is good.

What is your “safe food” when you’re on the road?

Jennifer: Steak

Blakeley: Steak

Maurizio: Steak

Carrie: oatmeal, dried fruits, nuts

David: protein bars

Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch

What is your worst food experience you’ve had while traveling, and where were you?

Jennifer: It was actually in the midwest and the only possibility in the Land of the Ozarks was a Jack-in-the-Box. Burgers and fries with soooooo much fat and grease but it actually tasted great! (Guess I was starving)

Blakeley: Trying to find a seat in a restaurant in a small Italian town on Easter Sunday.

Maurizio: Snake market in Taiwan, sorry no turtle soup for me!!!!

Carrie: While on a bus tour somewhere in the USA, our company manager at the time dropped us off at a rest stop with vending machines and a liquor store only....hmmm I hardly call that food.

David: Anywhere in small town America-- lots of junk food, fried crap and bad lettuce.

What do you eat the day of a performance?

Jennifer: I always start my day on tour with fruit and coffee and a bath.  Then a big egg and bacon, toast and potatoes before the theater! After dress rehearsal, I usually have a sandwich and soup or chicken and veggies.

Blakeley: Whatever my body tells me... but not ice cream.

Maurizio: Certainly need some protein before the performance, red meat usually.

Carrie: A nice big breakfast like eggs, meats, cheeses and fruits.  A medium lunch and a small dinner-- I can't eat big before a show.

David: Light, but high in protein and fruits.

Blakeley McGuire

What do you eat after a performance?

Maurizio: A nice steak with red wine reduction would be great!! Or a big piece of fish-- lots of proteins.

Carrie: Meat, pasta and sometimes salad stuff depending on how I feel.  Lots of water and emergen-C.

David: More protein and wine.

What is your guilty pleasure or post-performance treat?

Jennifer: Tiramisu and wine or anything chocolate

Blakeley: Vino Rosso.

Maurizio: Vino Rosso!!!

Carrie: I like dark chocolate! and nutella!

David: A late night on the town

Maurizio Nardi

What are your thoughts on carbo-loading?

Jennifer: The night before a show, if it's a difficult one I try to have more carbs than usual. They're great fuel for the muscles.

Carrie:  Great for before high endurance shows.  My trainer says that other great sources of carbs if you can't eat a lot before a show are apples, zucchini, and squash.

David: Absolutely, especially 1 or 2 days before a show.

Any favorite healthy-option meals?

Jennifer: I have been eating raw organic foods which are awesome-- like mango avacado salad and wild rice with cranberries and raw desserts and juices from Westerly Market

Blakeley: Salads and fish.

Maurizio: Steak????? 

Carrie: Green salad with cheese and dried fruits, chicken noodle soup.

Any go-to, energy boosting snacks?

Jennifer: Raw organic chocolate with goji berries, chocolate covered goji berries, starbucks!!!, and the vegan fudge brownie from whole foods.

Maurizio: A nice shot of water with double emergency (Vitamin C) one hour before I dance.

Blakeley: Oranges and Grapefruit

Carrie: Nuts , dried fruits, carob spirulina , barley sqaures, bananas, the list goes on....oh coconut water is a great drink.

David: Brownie with goji and mangosteen berries.

Anything that is completely off-limits?

Jennifer: Nothing is off limits but I grew up with BAD food so I try to only have it if I absolutely crave it.  I think denying yourself anything or being too obsessed with food or weight is a real danger.

Blakeley: Fried food and coke.

Maurizio: Too much sugar, it doesn't help-- it lasts for a bit and it is gone!! It leaves you with a big downfall.

Carrie: Fast food.

David: Junk food and soda.

Have you had any cravings for Greek food in light of your upcoming performances of Clytemnestra?

Blakeley: yes, the cheese flambeed in brandy.

Maurizio: Hmm ........ Fried whole little fishes!!!????

Carrie: Feta.

Any funny food-related stories about the company?

Maurizio: Fish-eye eating challenge in China between some dancers. Now that was crazy!

Jennifer Depalo

Carrie: The other day at rehearsal I heated up my lunch in the microwave and Tadej [Brdnik] said that it smelled.  It was penne pasta and swiss cheese! Then he really laughed because he said you NEVER put pasta and swiss cheese together! I replied:  "Well if that is all you have in the house then that is what you eat"-- you must be creative in the recession!

David: Eating fish eyes with Jennifer in China

Note: I was present for the Chinese fish-eye incident, and it was a sight to behold.  David and Jennifer demonstrated why the restaurant separated the Chinese customers from the foreigners...

Where (restaurants, special grocery stores, etc) do you go when you want food like they make it at home.... and, where are you from?

Jennifer: I love Westerly Natural Market and Whole Foods (I am from Saratoga Springs)

Blakeley: When I am homesick for South Louisiana you'll find me at The Delta Grill, 9th Ave @ 48th St. It's not healthy, it's unhealthy but... you can talk the talk , hear the music, drink the local brew and feel like you're in New Orleans for a bit.

Miki Orihara (Iphigenia): Wajima at 61st St between Lex and Park.  They have very well prepared japanese food.  

David Zurak

Posted in FOOD, ART on May 11, 2009 11:53am by Madeline | 90 comments

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