Meet the Writers: Kilian Kröll

Kilian Kröll

What are you most excited to cover through TD?
The line between intellectual rigor and mass appeal intrigues me, both as a writer and a viewer of dance. This may stem from my simultaneous infatuation with Janet Jackson and Bill T. Jones during my formative teenage years.

Which part is challenging, scary, difficult?

When a dance pushes my buttons, I get scared to write about it. But that’s when it counts the most.

How did you learn to type?

The Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing CD-ROM endowed me with this practical life skill during my junior year in college.

What is Thinking Dance REALLY about, in your opinion?
thINKingDANCE is really about the writer’s relationship with his editor.

Finish this sentence “Good dance…..”
Good dance activates my imagination, weaves in novel ideas, plays with rhythm, and surprises me.

How has TD affected your other dance-related work?

Dance companies have hired me as their organizational coach after I’d written about their work. All kinds of doors can open when you reflect back – even critically – someone’s ideas and actions.

What would your parents say about your work in the arts?

My parents – all of them classical musicians – have cautiously recommended against a career in dance. (“You work the most, get paid the least, and have to retire when you’re 30.”) But they fully support my writing life. What they really want is grandchildren.

Finish this sentence “Good writing…” 
Good writing activates my imagination, weaves in novel ideas, plays with rhythm, and surprises me.

Share this article

Kilian Kröll

Kilian Kröll, Certified Executive Coach, dancer, published writer and President of Third Culture Coach, earned a B.A. in English from Haverford College and an M.A. in Cultural Studies from the University of East London. He previously was named Caldera Dance Artist in Residence in Sisters, Oregon and has performed in Carmen with the Opera Company of Philadelphia. He is a former staff writer with thINKingDANCE. Learn more.

PARTNER CONTENT

Keep Reading

Birdsong and Being

Megan Mizanty

It’s okay to stop and watch the world turn.

Five dancers look directly or almost into the camera. They’re slightly turned at different angles in different loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
Photo by Daniel Sohn

Do something else!

Xander Cobb

room/in/nation tests our agency amidst family dysfunction/nation dysfunction.

three performers wearing plain white or black tanks/tees are mid gesture as if having a family argument. The performer in the front hunches their shoulders, crosses their arms, and has mouth open, perhaps in the middle of a sentence. Behind them, another performer looks to be yelling and pointing at the third performer, a hand on their shoulder, who has eyes closed, a soft smile, and holds their fingertips to the center of their chest.
Photo by Zeze Schorsch