Interview: Davon Rainey in CINDERELLA by Company XIV

Company XIV has announced the World Premiere of Cinderella, an adult only show conceived, directed and choreographed by Drama Desk Award nominee Austin McCormick. The world premiere of Cinderella runs from through November 15th in a limited 8-week engagement at Minetta Lane in New York City. Join the extraordinary artists of Company XIV as they entertain you with their latest sensual and erotic world premiere production. Cinderella is a dazzling new creation based on the baroque fairy tale by Charles Perrault.

Sip a libation while you experience a thrilling fusion of nightlife and theatre, featuring XIV's unique blend of live opera, circus, burlesque, vaudeville, baroque dance and sumptuous design. The cast for Cinderella includes Hilly Bodin, Katrina Cunningham, Lea Helle, Jakob Karr, Nicholas Katen, Malik Kitchen, Mark Osmundsen, Davon Rainey, Marcy Richardson, Steven Trumon Gray, Allison Ulrich and Brett Umlauf. Broadwayworld.com interviewed Davon Rainey who plays the role of the Evil Stepmother in Cinderella.

Davon Rainey started taking tap lessons in the first grade in Memphis, Tennessee. After the director of DanceWorks heard about him in 1996, she gave him a full scholarship to study ballet at her studio. In 2000, after his sophomore year at Central High School, he was given a full scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. From there, he went on to Juilliard School in New York City where he also received a full scholarship. After two years there, he went on to work with companies and choreographers including Aszure Barton & Artists, Bugisi/Foreman Dance Company, Bill T. Jones Dance Company, Public Dance Theatre, Sidra Bell Dance NYC, Johah Bokaer, Michelle Mola and Company XIV.

Who are some of the people who have inspired your career?

The mentors that have inspired my career have been many of my dance teachers. My first ballet teacher, Karen J. Zissoff the director of DanceWorks in Memphis, TN, took a chance on a young boy and gave me a full scholarship to her dance school. I studied under the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) which was challenging and taught me the importance of having good technique. And two teachers from The Juilliard School, Alexandra Wells and Laura Glenn. Both those ladies were huge supporters of mine and always pushed me to be the better version of myself. And lastly, my mother Betty Calvert, who has always to this day just wanted me to be happy doing what I love to do.

What are some of your favorite performers or performances?

One of my all-time favorite movies that made me want to be a performer is a dance film "White Knights," that starred Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Two of my all-time favorite dancers acting and dancing alongside each other was definitely on repeat in my house when I was younger.

Tell me a little about your work with Company XIV.

XIV is the only company I've worked with where I feel I can show every side of my personality as a performer. Austin and I were classmates at Juilliard and ever since being cast in his first piece he choreographed at school, I have always been impressed and inspired by his work. Watching his vision come to life always feels like a magical dream that I never want to end.

What are some of the challenges of the Evil Stepmother role in Cinderella?

One of the early challenges of the stepmother role was trying not to just think of her as just an evil character. I had to find reasons of why she acts the way she does. Playing the so called "villain" character is tons of fun, but I have to think that her evilness is the only way she knows how to deal when things don't go her way.

Why do you think XIV has been so enormously successful?

I think XIV has been successful because audiences want to see something exciting and different in a theater performance. The audience is a huge part of our productions and sometimes they can feel like another character of the play themselves. Also, in every show there are elements that you can relate to, or even just might make you want to dance/sing along with us.

For the future???

I would love for the future of XIV for the company to travel and perform in places like Paris, London and Germany. I feel like the decadence and grandeur of our work would be received well in many parts of Europe.

Anything else, absolutely anything you want Broadwayworld.com readers to know!

Lastly, I believe there is something for everyone to fall in love with in Cinderella. I feel blessed to be working with an amazingly talented cast and crew. This show gives my heart so much joy and I know it will do the same for everyone who comes down to Minetta Lane Theater.

Tickets for Cinderella at Minetta Lane are from $40 to $65 with premium and VIP seating from $75 to $105. Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Cinderella-Company-XIV-tickets/artist/2159454 or call 1.800.745.3000. You can like Company XIV on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and Instagram. See what everybody is talking about #CompanyXIV.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Davon Rainey