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As the new year begins, we’re shining a spotlight on one of ABT’s newest choreographic talents. Corps de ballet member Sung Woo Han was selected to create for ABT Incubator two consecutive years.
Read on to meet Sung Woo and find out his favorite things!
Sung Woo Han. Photo: BAKI.
Dream role?
Albrecht in Giselle and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet
What are you currently reading?
The first edition of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass (1855)
How do you unwind?
I usually don’t get stressed. I’m always super positive, and I don’t really try to unwind before the show. I know the moment I get on stage, my nerves will disappear.
Most recently watched on Netflix?
Money Heist Parts 1, 2, 3 (best TV show I’ve ever seen)
Coffee or tea?
Iced coffee
Music or podcasts?
Music!!
Dream vacation spot?
The Maldives
Twitter, Facebook or Instagram?
Instagram. Follow me @sungwoo_han_
ABT idol past or present?
I started ballet after watching a video of Jose Carreño in Swan Lake. My present idol is the entire ABT Company. I learn so many things from every single dancer.
Favorite spot in New York?
Goldbar
What is your dance bag essential?
Dance belt, dance belt, dance belt
What is your Starbucks order?
Double smoked bacon sandwich
Favorite ABT tour city?
Abu Dhabi
Favorite food?
Bossam (Korean boiled pork wrap)
Guilty pleasure?
Going out on Monday! Sorry, people- we have Monday off 🙂
What is your zodiac sign?
Scorpio
Any phobias?
Nope!
Adagio or petit allegro?
Petite allegro
Dogs or cats?
Dogs!!!!!
Sung Woo Han was born in Seoul, South Korea. He began his ballet training at the Sun-hwa Arts Middle School in his hometown and entered Korea National University of Arts at the age of 17. He has won numerous awards including Beijing International Ballet Invitational Competition (at which he received the Grand First Prize), International Ballet Competition-Varna, and Youth America Grand Prix. In 2011, Han placed the second prize from Prix de Lausanne and received a full scholarship at the Royal Ballet Company.
Sung Woo joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in December 2013. His repertoire includes a Cavalier in Cinderella, Persian Man in The Golden Cockerel, the Spanish Dance in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, Puss-in-Boots in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty, the Neapolitan Dance and the Spanish Dance in Swan Lake, a leading role in Monotones II, and a featured role in Raymonda Divertissements. He created a Fairy Cavalier in Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty. He was selected to choreograph for ABT Incubator, an in-house choreographic workshop, in 2018 and 2019. For ABT Incubator, Sung Woo created Beneath the Conscious (2018) and perspective of glory (2019).
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