Host Robin Milling caught up with Ballet NY choreographer John-Mark Owen in rehearsals for the company premiere of Triptych, featuring dancers Fidel Garcia and Nadezhda Vostrikov. A dancer himself, Owen tells Robin the dance was inspired by the ups and downs of a former relationship.

Raised in Macon, Georgia, Owen began his career as an interpretive sign languager but quickly changed his course when he was wowed by Mikhail Baryshnikov in The Nutcracker. As fate would have it, their paths crossed in the New York dance studio Steps. Owen says he embarrassingly missed the opportunity to tell Baryshnikov of his inspiration in a starstruck moment.

Triptych can be seen August 9-11 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. For more information visit www.balletny.org

Photo of Jennifer Goodman and John-Mark Owen in Twilight courtesy of Christopher Duggan