Reverie Ballroom CEOs Eliza Wilder (outgoing) and Hallie Kuperman (incoming)
You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.
—Friedrich Nietzsche
Big news last week at Reverie Ballroom, a flagship among Seattle’s dance venues, with Eliza Wilder stepping away from her Executive Director role and Hallie Kuperman (owner of Century Ballroom, from which the Reverie emerged one year ago) returning as Interim CEO. I told Hallie it reminded me of the scene in The Godfather, Part III, when Al Pacino laments: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”
Upon hearing the news, I wrote to a friend that Eliza seemed a benevolent “shooting star, showering us with good fortune on her brilliant journey.” She burned incredibly brightly in her year at the helm although, with myriad challenges, I imagine it must have seemed a lifetime. As Hallie said of Eliza, “I am fully aware of the personal hardships she has dealt with over the past year while renovating two historic spaces, creating a new organization, and trying to find the model that will keep us all dancing here.” While the Reverie’s future is uncertain, Eliza’s vision and profound work to transform the Ballroom is a gift to every one of us who values dance, music and community.
I can think of no one more qualified or capable than Hallie to, as she said, “usher Reverie into year two.” As someone who has both inspired me and whom I’ve aspired to be more like, Hallie has impacted my life from nearly the very day I started partner dancing, over 25 years ago. I took my first terrified steps on the floor of her Century Ballroom and came to admire, over the years, her great courage and business skill. Her dedication to the dance community is legendary and quite literally changed lives, like mine, for the better. Many thousands of lives.
In a conversation I had with Hallie early Monday, she made clear this is not a Century Ballroom redux. She intends to work with the Reverie Board to “help support the vision” set by Eliza and her team. Initially, Hallie says, she’ll endeavor to gain perspective, beginning with meeting one-on-one with staff. In classic Hallie fashion, her first thoughts were toward supporting staff and asking “are they happy?” Paring expenses, clarifying communication, and streamlining company systems are all on Hallie’s to-do list. I inquired how it felt, wading back in, and she said “I’m excited. I love the community, I love the people.”
Of the Reverie’s launch, Eliza said: “I will never forget the palpable, exuberant love in the room during the Grand Opening.” Nor will I. Thank you, Eliza, for helping guide the Ballroom to its new incarnation, an extraordinary service to Seattle’s dance community. And thank you, Hallie, for being willing to captain the ship once again; may we sail with you into a bright future filled with love and dancing.
Do your part to keep dance thriving in the Puget Sound by patronizing the various exciting classes and events listed just below, with more online at the Dance Calendar.
See you on the dance floor —Sean Donovan