Whidbey Island, Washington Native Named One of the Top “25 to Watch” in 2024
Photos by Anita Buzzy Prentiss
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre soloist Grace Rookstool has been chosen as one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2024. Rookstool joined PBT as an apprentice in 2019. She was promoted to the corps de ballet in 2020. In the spring of 2023, she was promoted to soloist onstage by PBT artistic director Adam W. McKinney after her performance of Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty.
“It is such an honor to be named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” for 2024,” said Grace Rookstool. “Being able to dance for a living is such a dream come true. I am grateful and humbled to be included among this amazing group of artists.”
Rookstool grew up in Whidbey Island, WA, where she trained with Whidbey Island Dance Theatre and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She has performed in PBT productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Sounds of the Sun, Dracula, Monger, Bolero, Petal, 1st Flash, Polyphonia, Bright Progressions, SKIN+ Saltwater and George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations and Diamonds.
Rookstool has multiple roles in PBT’s current production of The Nutcracker, including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Jubilation (formerly Spanish Chocolate), Harmony (formerly Shepherdesses/Marzipan), Joy (formerly Chinese Tea), and Mrs. Stahlbaum, among others.
“We are incredibly proud of Grace and the incredible work she has been consistently producing for the past few years,” said PBT artistic director Adam W. McKinney. “She has an amazing work ethic, dance skills and impeccable artistry. We are delighted to watch her be acknowledged for her hard work and performance ability.”
Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” has run in their January issue annually since 2001. Every year, it features 25 early career dancers, choreographers, and companies that the editors and contributors believe are on the verge of breakout years. The link to the January 2024 issue with the “25 to Watch” list is here.
Other artists from Pittsburgh’s premier professional ballet company who have been bestowed the honor of being included in Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list include corps de ballet member Erin Casale (2023), principal artist Tommie Lin O’Hanlon (2020), principal artist Yoshiaki Nakano (2014) and former principal artist Amanda Cochrane (2013).
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