Jake Roxander

First time for everything. ;) Thank you @metroballet for this wonderful opportunity to debut Romeo. I’ll never forget the first time I saw this ballet. My whole world flipped upside down and my perspective of what ballet could be was never quite the same. I’ve been lucky enough to spend years admiring the best of the best from the audience and the stage. To play this character -whether on an ABT stage or not- is a privilege, but the greatest privilege is sharing the ballet with @skylarbrandt . This absolute gem of a human being continues to impress me at every turn. You made this debut unforgettable, onstage and off, Sky. Thanks for all the laughs this week.❤️ A big thank you as well to @aran_bell and @irinamaxemma for all of your help with these pas de deux. Aran drops nuggets of wisdom every three seconds, it’s borderline annoying how efficiently helpful he is!😂 And what’s even better is- he asks for absolutely nothing in return. I don’t say this lightly, you’re truly a GOATED Romeo dude. Couldn’t have done it without you. To Irina and Max, you two never fail to make me laugh. Thank you for all of your wisdom, experience, and suggestions. It was beyond helpful to get an extra set of eyes to say the least! It’s been fun giving Romeo a ‘test drive’ these past couple months. Hopefully one day soon I can really put him in gear, drop the clutch, and floor it.

ABT’s first Spring season!!!🙂 (It was 30 degrees today. 🙃) @abtofficial #abtspringseason #photodump

Had a great run of shows last week at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts! @abtofficial dedicated these performances of ‘The Winter’s Tale’ to the Washington DC-based arts workers - orchestra, stagehands, wardrobe, front-of-house, catering, security and many who have supported our performances in DC for decades. As JFK said in 1961; “I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of Grace and Beauty” ❤️ @abtofficial @wheeldony

We’re not done celebrating one of last year’s exceptional artists. ✨ The 2025 Outstanding Performer Bessie Award goes to Jake Roxander @jakeroxander 👏🏼 Jake Roxander began his formal dance training at the age of seven, studying with his parents until he was 17 years old. During his childhood, Jake took gymnastics, martial arts, voice lessons, and performed in several musical theatre productions in Southern Oregon. He participated in the YAGP, receiving the Youth Grand Prix Award in 2016 and 2017 and the Grand Prix Award in 2018 and 2019. He was awarded full scholarships to Pennsylvania Ballet’s “Company Experience” workshop in 2017 and 2018, and to American Ballet Theatre’s New York Summer Intensive in 2019. Jake joined Pennsylvania Ballet II in 2019. In September 2020, Jake joined ABT Studio Company, became an apprentice with the main Company in May 2022, joined the corps de ballet in September 2022, and was promoted to soloist in March of 2024. His repertoire includes The Cavalier, Harlequin, and the Chinese Lead in The Nutcracker, Benno and Neapolitan Dance in Swan Lake, Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, Puck in The Dream, Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, Lensky in Onegin, Aminta in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Sylvia, Florizel in Christopher Wheldon’s The Winter’s Tale, and leading roles in Etudes and Piano Concerto No. 1. 🎤✨ Hear the acceptance speech in the reel. 📸 Photo Credit: Elyse Roxander #TheBessies #DanceAwards #NYCDance #bessies2025

Couldn’t be more excited. Dancing the role of Basilio is quite literally a dream come true—and to do it alongside @skylarbrandt is the cherry on top. Grateful beyond words to @susanjaffeofficial and @abtofficial . Looking forward.❤️ @abtofficial @metopera #donquixote #abtmetseason

2025 photo dump pt.2 1.-5. Surealia - ‘Know Fear’ @studioroxander Oregon 6. @segerstromarts Sir Frederick Ashton’s ‘Sylvia’ with @skylarbrandt 7. Doing my makeup before the performance 8. Fall Season: @susanjaffeofficial Sleeping Beauty 👑 9.-10. Fall Season: @christian_spuck Le Grand Pas with @skylarbrandt 11. Fall season: Rodeo with @skylarbrandt and @jarodcurley 12. Fall Season: Twyla Tharp and I chatting after the show 13.-14. Fall Gala 15. @scoutforsythe ☀️ 16.-17. Philly + Foggy🐶 18. San Diego Aquarium 19. New Years with Mum ❤️🥂 20. Brother time with @ashtonroxander

2025 photo dump pt.1 It’s been a great year surrounded by friends and family.❤️ 1. Backstage - Koch Theatre NY 2.+3. Herman Cornejo and ballet stars - Miami 4. +5. Shenanigans at Jarod and Léa’s wedding - Tampa 6. The fam - Philly 7. Shopping in the best comic store in Philly 8.+9. Giselle - Minneapolis 10.+11.+12. In the Upper Room and more - Seoul Korea 13. Dance Against Cancer - NY 14. Dance for Paws - NY 15. Performing at the United Nations 16. Swan Lake Pas de trois - The Met 17. Pre show makeup - The Met 18. 19.+20. Summer - Oregon

@abtofficial @alexeiratmansky ’s ‘The Nutcracker’ 2025! 📸: @nataliaxsanchez <3 @segerstromarts

Here’s a clip of Léa and me during our first on-stage run-through of Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker -always a moment that’s little nerve-wracking and less than perfect😂. Sharing this experience with my partner @leafleytoux made the process energizing, joyful, and full of laughter. Léa, thank you for your trust and kindness; I’m so grateful to dance and work alongside you. My sincere thanks as well to the amazing artistic staff for their thoughtful guidance and attention to detail, and to my fellow cast members for their constant support (as always). For me, this pas was a welcomed challenge, and I’m very much looking forward to (hopefully) revisiting it. A meaningful step in my journey, and one I won’t soon forget.💚🎄 #thenutcracker @segerstromarts @abtofficial @alexeiratmansky 🎥: @scoutforsythe

One last push… Tomorrow evening, I’ll be performing Baryshnikov’s role once more in Twyla Tharp’s ‘Push Comes to Shove’. This special performance marks the closing of American Ballet Theatre’s Twyla Tharp Celebration — a tribute to one of dance’s most iconic and legendary choreographers. Simply put, It’s been the opportunity of a lifetime working with Twyla herself on this awesome work. ❤️ It’s going to be an unforgettable night — you won’t want to miss it! ;) Photo credit: Nir Arieli @nytimes @abtofficial #ABT #TwylaTharp #PushComesToShove #LincolnCenter #Ballet #Dance #maledancer #abt85

15 days! 💌✨ Surealia 2025! You aren’t ready. • Day one filming wrapped @thefinalcutbro ! See you at the theatre! @craterpac • #surealia #studioroxander

Sunday Spotlight: Jake Roxander ✨ 2024 Princess Grace Honoraria (Dance) | Nominated by @abtofficial A rising star in American ballet, Jake Roxander brings electrifying precision and emotional depth to the stage. Trained by his parents at Studio Roxander in Medford, Oregon, Jake’s early promise earned him four Grand Prix Awards from YAGP, along with numerous full scholarships. Since joining American Ballet Theatre’s main company in 2022, he has ascended swiftly—becoming a soloist in 2024. His artistry has captivated critics and audiences alike, earning him spots on The New York Times’ “8 Breakout Stars of 2023” and Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch.” In that same year, he also received the prestigious Clive Barnes Award. From studio to spotlight, Jake’s journey is a testament to discipline, talent, and undeniable presence. We’re honored that he is part of the Princess Grace Foundation community. #PrincessGraceAwards #JakeRoxander #ABT #BalletDancer #GraceInfluential #SundaySpotlight #MenInBallet #RisingStar #LuxuryForGood #GraceLivesOn #CliveBarnesAward #BreakoutStar #BalletArtist