Isabelle Overstreet was born in Los Angeles, California and began her dance training at age four. She received her primary training at Los Angeles Ballet Academy and Walnut Hill School for the Arts. She has also attended numerous summer intensives including Washington School of Ballet, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Ballet Austin, Colorado Ballet, and American Ballet Theater. In 2016 Isabelle graduated from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance and minor in Business Administration. After her studies, Isabelle joined Central Illinois Ballet where she performed featured roles in The Nutcracker, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet, as well as originating the role of Bella in Beauty and the Beast. Recently, she has appeared as a guest artist with Sierra Nevada Ballet for their summer season performances of The Sleeping Beauty. This will be Isabelle’s second season with San Diego Ballet.
Who influenced you most to become the dancer you are today?
My mother, Sally, is the person who has helped shape me into the dancer I am today. Through every difficult transition and decision she has been there to support me one hundred percent of the way. Her overwhelming belief in my dream to become a dancer gave me the reassurance I needed to keep going even when I felt discouraged by the dance world. She is my truest inspiration and I am thankful to have a mom who tries to come to every performance, even if that means flying out to the Midwest in the middle of winter.
What was the funniest episode(s) you’ve experienced in your career?
Last year when I was with Central Illinois Ballet I had the opportunity to perform Clara in the school shows. However, when the day came to perform my role as Clara, we realized no one had understudied my part in the Russian divertissement. I ended up just jumping up off the throne to do the Russian dance in the Clara costume, which felt fairly ridiculous at the time. However, the kids in the audience ended up loving it and going crazy!
Who would you most like to share the stage with (living or dead)?
I am lucky enough to say this season I already am performing with the person I would most like to share the stage with, my boyfriend and fellow SDB company member, Adam Bloodgood.
What goes through your mind just before you perform?
Honestly, I am usually going over all the steps and corrections! But once I begin dancing my muscle memory takes over and I let myself simply enjoy performing and getting to live in the moment.
What do you like/admire most about San Diego Ballet?
Though I have only just joined SDB, I have already noticed how much I enjoy the company atmosphere. It is a pleasure to walk into the studio each day to a talented group of dancers who are all willing to work together even during the tougher scheduled days. I also admire how Javier uses each dancer to their fullest potential in his pieces. His choreography has already forced me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to discover new ways to manipulate steps. I am looking forward to everything SDB has to offer this season!