By Bella Johnson, Staff Writer for UNSUGARCOATED Media

When it comes to dedicating your life to your passion, Krystal Renee is no stranger. Renee, a 30 year old performer dancer from New York, has been drawn to the stage all of her life- not without challenges and obstacles.

Renee became serious about performing back in high school. She attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art & Performing Arts in New York, which was used as inspiration for the musical Fame.

“And that is where I would say I really started realizing that I could do art, professionally, more before then when I was in various different programs. I think high school is where it all began,” said Renee. 

The unique program helped Renee develop her talent. Half of the day, Renee would attend her academic classes. She got accepted into the “Drama and Theatre” program,  so she would spend the other half of her days pursuing both music and dance, cultivating her passion. 

Renee fell in love with the stage for its versatility. It became an outlet to connect with others and speak up on difficult topics that are often deemed taboo within our society. This freedom changed Renee’s life and pushed her love for performance.

“Performance to me is a way to communicate with an audience and specifically what I resonated with was being able to connect with people from various backgrounds and people who have gone through difficult challenges,” said Renee. 

Krystal Renee Photo Provided by Krystal Renee

Renee experienced her first obstacle during junior high at the age of 12 when she discovered she had scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. Before, she had been very active, regularly attending dance classes, piano, and other after school activities. Once she received the diagnosis, they tried other methods in order to prevent having surgery, however after a period of time, surgery became inevitable.

“I was homeschooled for a while after that and I still remember my first time trying to stand again, still remember my first time trying to sit up, my first time re-walking again after that experience and learning to use my body in a very different way,” said Renee. 

The transition to womanhood for any girl is a long and difficult process, affecting her self-confidence and understanding of herself. Renee’s surgery came at this difficult time, heavily impacting her mental health. Before, her ability to dance and bend made her feel “feminine. Post surgery, Renee struggled with day-to-day life- even things like gym class made her feel stiff and uncomfortable in her own body. Although it was a long journey, she learned coping mechanisms that helped her feel comfortable in her own body again. 

“What helped me through that was learning to embrace my body more and look at things from a more body positive way. . . This is my new circumstance of my beautiful transformed body I have and I can work with it, rather than against it or fighting it,” said Renee. 

Learning about other performers who have struggled with health issues helped her process her own struggles and push through both mentally and physically. Alicia Graf, a famous dancer who suffers from arthritis, was one of her biggest inspirations because just like Renee she continued to perform despite obstacles. 

Theatre created a light at the end of the tunnel for Renee. Remaining a performer and part of theatre also helped Renee significantly. The way in which dancing, singing, and acting were so interdisciplinary and variant allowed her to continue pursuing her passions and see hope throughout the difficult journey.

“And I think theatre was helpful for me because it showed me that there were so many different types of people in this world, you know, every scene every character you read is a different type of person. And so I found some more like pride in my uniqueness,” said Renee. 

The emotional and physical baggage associated with an injury was a constant battle. Renee had been feeling frustrated with auditions, particularly because it was hard to express that her body and spine couldn’t do things that others could. It often left her feeling embarrassed and reminding herself she wasn’t less capable than others. It was about this time when her friend recommended STOMP to her. Several months later, she auditioned. 

Renee still pursues dance and performing to this day. She performs in the 4 time Emmy-Award winning show STOMP, a boundary-pushing international sensation where a  band of body percussionists who dance and fill the stage with rhythm using everything but conventional instruments. Once Renee got the part, it included practice from 9 to 5 everyday of the week and watching the show as well as taking notes on the weekend. Then, they started performing in New York and toured in the US as well as Europe.

“Going into it was incredible. And I think what was really important for me again was just figuring out how to translate the motions I was being asked to do for my body, you know, and translating what my character is and trying to express through my understanding of it,” said Renee.

Despite her bodily challenges, Renee pushed through every day to stay mentally and physically healthy for the show. This time spent conditioning her body taught Renee how strong her body truly was. 

STOMP US Tour Krystal Renee – Photo Provided by Krystal Renee

“I remember you know, getting my first injuries from the show, and getting so worried because it’s a new pain and I don’t know what this new thing is and I thought ‘Is my body going to recover from this?’ And then realizing like, yeah, it can and it does,” said Renee.

Outside of her performing, Renee relies on meditation, art, journaling, and nature to remain calm and optimistic.

“Going out into nature helps quite a bit and reminds myself to zoom out, because it’s tough. It’s an incredible show and I love it and I’m so grateful to be a part of it, but life is a lot bigger than one show, one job, one body part, you know. And so sometimes just taking a step back to smile and laugh is good,” said Renee.

In August of 2020, Renee was presented with another health challenge– she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Once again, Renee’s resilience is being challenged.  

“I would say [the diagnosis] really encouraged me to live and reminded me to live my life with purpose,” said Renee. “And it was a good reminder for me to stop, step back, zoom out, and ask myself, overall in this life, is this particular issue worth stressing about.”

Although it would be easy to let her newest diagnosis overwhelm her, Renee has already persevered through scoliosis. Renee has a new understanding of her body and is ready to face her newest obstacle. Life has presented a series of challenges for Renee, but it has never stopped her from living a life of purpose. She now pursues only what makes her the most happy and where she feels her energy is best applied.

“I don’t know what will happen, but I do know that I’m grateful for the reminder of the uncertainty of life,” said Renee.

To learn more about Krystal Renée visit her website.