Janelle Cooke’s announcement that she is retiring after 14 years with the Colorado Ballet comes as a big surprise.
The 33-year-old dancer was in prime form during “3motions,” the company’s final production of this season. She had a key role in “Echoing of Trumpets,” choreographer Antony Tudor’s 1963 anti-war masterwork, and a prominent solo in the closing selection, “Celts.”
Ballet dancers typically retire in their late 30s or their early 40s. If they leave earlier, it’s usually because of injuries or other health issues. But in Cooke’s case, other reasons led her to make the decision to give up her performance career.
In part, she wants to spend more time with her 1-year-old son, Cheston — something her non-regular hours have not always made possible. In addition, her husband was recently laid off, and there is a possibility that he might have to relocate to another city to find work.
“Honestly, I feel like I probably have a few good years still left in my body for dancing,” she said.
The departure of Cooke, who was promoted to soloist in 2003 and could easily have held the top rank of principal dancer, is no small loss for the Colorado Ballet. As she showed again and again, she was one of the company’s most striking and versatile performers.
Her athleticism and clear, well-defined form made her ideal for modern and contemporary works, and her expressiveness and presence made her a natural for more theatrical pieces. In short, she will not easily be replaced.
“For me, it’s a celebration on one hand, because I feel like I’ve had a really outstanding career, and it makes me feel successful that I was able to start and end my career with the same company.
“But then on the other hand, I feel really sad, because I still love performing and I still love dancing. And I’m not sure that there would ever necessarily be a great time for me to say, ‘Ok, I’m done,’ because I don’t really feel I am done.”
Cooke plans to continue teaching at the Academy of Colorado Ballet and add more hours on a contract basis to a part-time job she has long had to supplement her dance income.
