Harrison Ball is a brilliant dancer, creator and actor on the rise. He will soon make his acting debut alongside Debbie Harry, Jemima Kirke, Marc Geller and Sasha Pivovarova in “CATHARSIS” premiering at Tribeca Film Festival on June 14th. It was written by Harrison and Brian Logvinsky (who also directed) costumes designed by Harrison’s husband, another extraordinary creator and newly appointed Gap Inc. Creative Director Zac Posen. So scroll down and check our photo’s and chat about his transition from his career with the New York City Ballet, his personal style, self care, bare essentials and one of our favorite bits of wisdom “Simplicity in any form is lifelong ritual.” — Harrison Ball former principal dancer with the New York City ballet.

The Bare Magazine: What did you love about working on Catharsis?

Harrison Ball: The experience, start to finish. From cowriting, executive producing, acting, and being part of the post production process. Every single element of the creation carried me through an extremely unknown experience of transitioning from my career with New York City Ballet to a life without constant dancing. To say the least, leaving the ballet has been the most uprooting experience of my life. To have an unknown world to explore and inhabit right out of the stables was the greatest gift. And working with Debbie Harry OF COURSE!

Bare: Was it one of your first acting jobs after you wrapped the NY City Ballet? Are there more to look out for on the horizon ?

HB: Catharsis was my first. The hope is that there will be many more. I have exciting projects in the mix, some small and some a bit bigger. I’m currently shooting a film and am developing a dance theater piece and other choreographic endeavors. I’ve decided that just like my dance, my pursuit is not focused on title and rank but solely on exploration. I will continue to carve my own path by creating films and theater work that aligns with where I am. This will help to provide my performance with balance so that I can always find space to nourish both my interests and ambitions. This is crucial.

Bare: If you could leap into the future....where do you see yourself in 5 years?

HB: In five years? I believe in manifesting. It’s my fancy way of saying, “to have faith.” I constantly manifest that my life takes me to places where I’m met with great challenges that will propel me to the next level. I’d like to be overwhelmed with opportunities that fit my skill set like a glove all while pushing me away from my comfort zone. I believe in the optimal anxiety theory: optimal level of arousal results in optimal performance. So in five years? I want to be ahead of my own personal curves.

Bare: Who are some of your most inspirational icons?

HB: My icons have remained quite constant for me in my life. They are personal to me in the sense they might not have been sensationalized by culture. They know who they are. And the ones that are no longer alive knew that they were my beacons. As for icons as the word defines, Debbie Harry has become a massive motivating force in my life. She’s been extremely generous with her time and wisdom and always offers me thought that expands my self perception as a person but most importantly as a performer. When you spend time around someone like Debbie who is constantly pushing herself to the next level, always performing, never folding, always creating, there is this inevitable transference that I feel so lucky to receive.

Bare: You've been on your own since you were a young teen. In what way do you think that has helped you in your successes so far?

HB: I began living on my own in New York at 14. It did what one would imagine. It wreaked absolute havoc in my life but simultaneously gave me a massive dose of independence and critical thinking skills. It taught me the importance of solitude and failure. It really took up until recently to fully comprehend the privilege and lessons embedded in that struggle. Beyond the esoteric nature of being a young person on their own, it taught me the greatest lesson: to have fun. I think all of these things lend greatly to helping me transmute my identity into my work.

Bare: Can you share a few qualities about yourself that you would like to improve and why?

HB: A lesson that I learned the hard way is to not give away my shortcomings. It makes it harder to grow when I align myself with labels. Done are the days where I put myself in a box. Just like everyone, I’ll spend my lifetime working on quality.

Bare: List your top 3 self care rituals/routines.

HB: Beyond lotions and potions, steam baths, and sleep, I can’t live without time with family. My husband and his family, my three mini poodles, my siblings and parents. This is non negotiable. I always find time. Nature is another non negotiable component. I live between San Francisco and New York. It’s a great privilege that I take full advantage of. My husband is always traveling or in the office, so I go to Muir Beach at least three days a week where I walk the with my dog pack, swim no matter the temperature, make a beach fire, and listen to my analog radio. Last but not least, I have to disconnect from the modern world. It’s wildly overwhelming for me so I always take breaks whenever I feel up to my neck. Simplicity in any form is lifelong ritual.

Bare: We loved the pieces from your wardrobe you brought to the shoot. Can you describe your personal style and influences?

HB: I don’t have style influences in the sense that I look to people to discover what to wear. I am influenced by essence. Sometimes I see an essence in a person and because of their magnetic power something gets transferred. David Bowie comes to mind. But in terms of clothing, the way I feel in clothing triumphs over trend, which makes me run for the hills anyways. Style to me isn’t in what I wear but how I wear it.

Bare: What are your top 5 bare essentials? (they can be anything)

HB: My mini poodles Tsuki, Bizet, and Rudi. They are an extension of me. My husband Zac who is the greatest gift in my life. My family in its entirety as I’d be nothing without them. My car which is the greatest freedom. And last but not least, the natural world which provides me with the charge I need to keep going.

Photos: Tina Turnbow

Hair color: Michael Madalinski

Hair cut: David Tolls at Barrow Salon

Harrison wears his own clothing

shot in Bare studios BK