DANCER PROMOTIONS: Lillian Casscells

Photo: Lillian Casscells with Principal Artist Adrian Fry in Dracula | By Beau Pearson

When Corps Artist Lillian Casscells joined Ballet West in 2017, she had just come from dancing with the SemperOper Ballet in Dresden, Germany. Now she is moving up with a promotion to Demi-Soloist for Ballet West’s 2024-25 season.

Casscells began her training at The Houston Ballet Academy before moving on to the Washington School of Ballet and finishing at The School of American Ballet. Casscells was two years old when she started dancing, but remembers there was never any pressure for her to keep going as she grew up.

The highlight of her career is performing. Whether dancing Christensen’s Waltz of the Flowers Pas De Deux or Forsythe’s Blake Works, Casscells says, “The many hours of work in the studio are always worth it to step on stage and perform.”

Her promotion means more responsibility, but Casscells doesn’t seem discouraged. “In some ways, there is pressure to rise to the occasion, which I think is exciting,” she said. “I sometimes enjoy having pressure to get better. It gives me a target to work towards and encourages me to meet a higher standard. I’m excited to start the 24-25 season and hopes to continue working towards new roles and opportunities.”