Talking Pointes

For our bonus episode this season, we’re catching up with the Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director David Hallberg. Last season, David and I spoke about his life growing up in South Dakota, being bullied, training at the Paris Opera, becoming principal at American Ballet Theatre, and being the first American to be invited to dance with the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia. We talked about climbing back from his epic injury, his head space at that time, before taking over the Artistic Directorship of the Australian Ballet right in the middle of Covid. A year later we talk about what it's been like to be artistic director now that theatres are open and audiences are back, about what kind of as dancers he selects for the company, how he decides who will be promoted, the Australian Ballet's 60th anniversary, and life in Australia. If you’d like to read more about David’s life, find our full conversation in the show notes, or you can read his autobiography called A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back. For Australian Ballet updates you can find them on Instagram at @ausballet and to continue to follow David’s adventures, you’ll find him on Instagram at @davidhallbergofficial David and I recorded remotely, with David dialling in from Melbourne, the land of the Kulin people, with recording and production on the land of the Awabakal and Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, to all of whom to which we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

30 years ago this year, a small independent film, by a first time director, and an unknown cast, hit our screens. That film was Strictly Ballroom. And so, for our final episode of Season 2 of Talking Pointes, I’m speaking with the legendary Paul Mercurio. Paul was born in Swan Hill in regional Victoria and started dancing after he saw his elder sister in a local dance class. With dad off the scene early, the family moved to Perth where Paul continued to train at the John Curtin Senior High School as it was known then, before, at 18, being accepted in the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne. But in a rebel move, he joined Sydney Dance Company before graduating, it was the golden era of Graeme Murphy’s directorship. It was a position he held for ten years, as a principal dancer, muse and choreographer. During his later years Sydney Dance Company, Paul received a call from an unknown director called Baz Lurhmann who asked him to help choreograph on a dance film. It was a call that changed his life. In this wonderfully honest interview, Paul talks about his early years in dance, his “angry man” years as he calls them—where he wrote poetry, smoked weed, and rode motorbikes. We also talk about how Strictly Ballroom came to be, the behind the scene, and how the film changed his life. Finally we talk new careers, raising a family, and his plans for making a more inclusive community in his local area. Paul and I recorded remotely, with Paul dialling in from Melbourne on the land of the Kulin people. Paul’s episode was produced in Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I’m speaking with the divine Jenna Roberts. Jenna grew up in Newcastle and started dancing only because a local ballet studio set up shop on the same street as her family home. But as fortune would have it, that local studio happened to be the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy, as it was known back then. And so Jenna, and little sister Callie, started dancing. For any outsider, it was clear the Robert’s sisters were born to dance—with high arches and long, lean legs, genetics almost pre-determined their careers. By the time Jenna was a teen, she was winning scholarships and accolades before, at 16, she was accepted into the Royal Ballet School in London. In this courageous and extraordinary conversation, Jenna reveals it’s not always as it seems—we talk about tough years at Royal Ballet School, about crippling home sickness, and then rising to become a principal artist with the Royal Birmingham Ballet. But more than that, Jenna also speaks about the pressures that continue to exist on body image in the dance world—and with that her own experience taking laxatives, the passing of her mum, and her decision to retire at the peak of her career on her own terms. Finally Jenna speaks about her years of infertility and IVF, before making a wonderful and unexpected life decision with her husband, Joe. Jenna and her husband Joe Caley have just relocated from London, and are now based in Melbourne—where Joe has joined the Australian Ballet as their newest principal artist. Jenna continues to coach and teach the rising starts of dance, all while running her own Pilates studio tailored for dancers and athletes. To continue follow all of Jenna’s adventures, you can find her on Instagram at @Jenna_Caley_Pilates Jenna and I recorded remotely, with Jenna dialling in from Melbourne on the land of the Kulin people. Jenna’s episode was produced in Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I’m speaking with Beau Dean Riley Smith. Beau was born on Wiradjuri Country in Dubbo, Western NSW. But as a little kid the family moved to Culburra on the NSW South Coast where Beau spent his childhood surrounded by siblings, love and chaos while growing up at the beach. Beau didn’t learn to dance as a kid, instead he studied drama in high school, before being accepted into the performance program at WAPPA—the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth. It was a transformative year in which Beau’s world exploded, and led to Beau auditioning for drama programs across the country, including NIDA—but Beau didn’t get in, and so, in a surprise move, and with no dance experience, Beau auditioned for NAISDA—and was accepted. In this extraordinary conversation, Beau reveals his journey to joining Bangarra, his struggles with body image and weight, and his difficulties accepting the Helpmann Award for Best Male Dancer which coincided with the death of his sister. We also talk about the gravity of performing on Country, the pride and pressure that comes with that, and, in an unexpected announcement, Beau reveals that after nearly a decade with Bangarra he plans to leave the Company and reveals who he’s signed with next. Beau continues to perform with Bangarra, but after more than a decade will leave the Company at the end of this year to join the Sydney Theatre Company. For Bangarra tour dates and to see Beau’s final performances head to bangarra.com.au, and for Sydney Theatre Company tickets it's sydneytheatre.com.au. And to continue to follow all of Beau’s adventures, you’ll find him on Insta at @beaudrsmith. Beau and I met and recorded in Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I’m speaking with Mary Li, ballet mistress and principal répétiteur at the Queensland Ballet. Mary's story to the stage is an unlikely one—one of eight children, Mary grew up in a small town in Central Queensland called Rockhampton. She was the first person in her family to try ballet, but by the age of 16—the day after completing her Solo Seal exam—she flew to London after being accepted into Royal Ballet School. Her star continued to rise, on graduation Mary was accepted into London Festival Ballet, now the English National Ballet—and was made principal within four years. But it was a chance move to Houston Ballet in the United States that saw the course of her life change again—when she crossed paths with another principal dancer, Li Cunxin—they would go on to marry, and dance together all over the globe. In this wonderfully brave conversation, Mary opens up about her career, meeting her husband and learning of his life, and their decision to have children. But Mary also talks about the devastating decision to leave her career after her eldest child was found to be hearing impaired, the grief she suffered knowing her child would never hear music, reuniting with the stage at the Queensland Ballet, and now choosing to learn AUSLAN with her eldest daughter Sophie. Mary continues to train and teach the principal artists of Queensland Ballet, all the while juggling life with Li and their three grown up children, Sophie, Tom and Bridie. Mary continues to learn AUSLAN, and her book Mary’s Last Dance is available on Audible and in all good bookshops. If you'd like to listen to Li's conversation with me, please scroll down to Episode 5 of Talking Pointes, and we'll also pop the link in the show notes—and finally, to continue to follow all of Mary’s adventures, you'll find her on Instagram. Mary and I recorded remotely, with Mary dialling in from Brisbane. This episode was produced in Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation to whom we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I am speaking with Steven McRae, Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet, London. Steven grew up in Western Sydney, in a suburb called Plumpton, 45kms West of Sydney. His Dad was a drag car racer, and no one in the family had ever learnt to dance. But somehow, dance found Steven, And at the age of 7, he asked his Mum and Dad if he could start dance lessons and he enrolled in a local studio around the corner from home. It was a life changing decision. By 17, he had not only won the Genée and the Prix de Lausanne, he was standing alone in London having been accepted into the Royal Ballet School—his heartbroken mother on the plane home. In this beautifully candid conversation, Steven talks about his journey to Principal at the Royal Ballet by the age of 23— and that, it’s not all as it seems; he speaks about early bullying, crippling home sickness, not always fitting in, and devastating injuries. But Steven speaks of more than that; he talks about starting his own family with his wife Elizabeth Harrod—also a dancer at the Royal Ballet, his post retirement plans, and the moment he snapped his Achilles tendon live on stage in front of 2,500 people, and how he climbed back from the impossible, to perform with the Royal Ballet once again. Steven continues to perform as a Principal Artist with the Royal Ballet in London, all the while juggling life with his wife Elizabeth and their 3 children Audrey, Frederick and Rupert. If you’re in London, the Royal Ballet is back on stage, for show times and tickets head to roh.org.uk, and to follow all of Steven’s adventures, you can follow him @StevenMcRae_ Steven and I recorded our conversation remotely, with Steven dialling in from London, while the podcast recorded on the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I am speaking with the Artistic Director of the Tanya Pearson Academy, Lucinda Dunn. Lucinda started her life in dance destined for London’s West End - where her Mum had been a performer, but a chance meeting with a ballet teacher named Tanya Pearson saw a change of direction, and at 15 she flew to Tokyo to compete in the Prix de Lausanne - and Lucinda’s life changed. In our conversation Lucinda shares her life story - how she joined the Royal Ballet School, broke her back, before being offered a contract with the Australian Ballet – a partnership which lasted nearly 23 years and saw Lucinda become their longest serving ballerina. Now a Mum to two girls and Artistic Director of Tanya Pearson Academy, Lucinda speaks about the juggles of a 20 plus year career in dance, and what she believes young students need to make it in the world of ballet. Lucinda continues to work and develop rising stars at the Artistic Director of the Tanya Pearson Academy, while also working with and training the dancers of the Australian Ballet and other performers arriving in Sydney to perform. To continue to follow all of Lucinda’s adventures, you can follow the Tanya Pearson Academy on Insta at @Tanya_Pearson_Academy or Lucinda’s personal account at @lucinda_dunn_ Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I am speaking with the divine Dana Stephensen. Dana grew up in Brisbane learning tap, jazz and singing, and never dreamed of being a ballerina. But ballet had a way of finding her. And strangely enough, it was a rejection letter from the Australian Ballet School and the disappointment that followed that awakened her passion and changed the trajectory of her life. In this beautifully courageous and candid interview, Dana speaks about her career with the Australian Ballet, managing her thyroid condition and the affect that had on her body image, and being promoted to senior artist after becoming a mum. But more than that, Dana opens up about the birth of her twin girls, navigating the loneliness of motherhood in a pandemic, the pressures of parenting with a public figure, and wondrously re-emerging and returning to the stage. Dana continues to perform as a senior artist with the Australian Ballet, all the while juggling life with her son Jasper, her fiancé Lachlan Gillespie, and their twin girls Lulu and Lottie. To continue to follow all of Dana’s adventures, you can find her on Instagram @dana_stephensen For support for peri and postpartum depression in Australia, you can find support through the Gidget foundation or PANDA’s support line, their details are in the show notes, or for further aboard, please contact your local services. Dana and I recorded remotely, with Dana dialling in from Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to which we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I am speaking with the divine Deborah Brown. Deborah is a descendant of the Wakaid Clan of Badu Island, the Meriam people of Murray Island, and also has Scottish heritage. Deborah grew up in Brisbane, learning jazz, ballet and tap at her local dance school, while also dancing around the family home learning cultural dance. It was an eye opener to a world she never dreamt could be her career. But after finishing school, Deborah moved to Sydney, and while working as an usher at the Lyric Theatre she auditioned for Bangarra Dance Theatre and was accepted. It was a love affair that would last 15 years. Deborah was not only a dancer in the company, but as a principal muse, performing in 16 original works that travelled to 14 countries across the globe. She also turned her hand to choreography, creating works for the company and mentoring young dancers. In this beautiful conversation, Deborah talks about her early life growing up in Brisbane, auditioning for Bangarra, the first time she met Steven Page, and the 15 years she spent with the Company. But Deborah talks about more than that, about the importance of culture, the pressure and obligations that come with that, and how she ultimately made the decision to find life after Bangarra as both a choreographer and film director. Deborah continues to work with companies and dancers choreographing and directing projects all over Australia. She most recently worked with Bangarra to bring Terrain back to the Sydney Opera House stage 10 years after it debuted. To work with Deborah or to follow all of her adventures, you can find her on Instagram @abrowndeborah Deborah and I recorded remotely, with Deborah dialing in from Queensland on the land of the Gimuy people, to whom we pay our greatest respects. With production on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today I am speaking with the Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company, Rafael Bonachela. Rafael grew up in the small town of La Garriga near Barcelona in Spain, the eldest of four brothers. With no dance school in the town, the young Rafael would instead create dances for himself and his classmates, before at 15, being allowed to take the train to Barcelona to take his first dance class. It was a pivotal moment - both a star and a passion was born. By 17 he was offered a professional contract and was travelling Europe as a contemporary dancer. But rather than continue on that trajectory, Rafael wanted to hone his craft, and decided to return to the studio to train, he moved to London and trained with London Studio Centre. From here, Rafael’s world exploded - with dance, with love, and with creating movement—which now had a name, choreography. In this beautifully intimate and joyful interview, Rafael talks about his early years in Spain, bullying, coming out in London just as AIDS had arrived on the scene, losing hair, finding love, life and choreography and living out his dreams. But more than that, Rafael talks about how he came to accept the position of Artistic Director with Sydney Dance Company, what he looks for in selecting dancers and how he has turned Sydney Dance Company into a powerhouse of contemporary dance in Australia, recognised across the globe. Rafael continues to lead the Sydney Dance Company. The Company is now back on the stage and touring "Impermanence," the work Rafael created during COVID. For tour dates and to buy tickets, head to sydneydancecompany.com, or you can find Sydney Dance Company on Instagram @sydneydanceco, and to follow all of Rafael’s adventures, you can follow him @rafaelbonachela. Rafael and I recorded our conversation in Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today we're am speaking with the magnificent Amy Harris, Principal Dancer with the Australian Ballet. Amy, grew up in the small town of Ararat in rural Victoria, and along with her two sisters, learnt tap, ballet and jazz at her local hall. From there it was the dream run—at 15, Amy was accepted into the Australian Ballet School, before being offered a contract with the Australian Ballet Company on graduation—by the newly appointed director David McAllister no less. For many aspiring dancers, it was the dream run. But from here, Amy’s journey changed speeds. In this beautifully candid interview Amy talks about the highs and the lows of her career, about body confidence, becoming pregnant, her mid-year interviews with David McAllister, and ultimately coming to terms with not being made a principal dancer—until magically, 17 years later and newly pregnant with her second child, she was. Amy continues to perform as a Principal Artist with the Australian Ballet, all the while juggling life with her husband Senior Artist Jarryd Madden and their two cherished children Willow and Phoenix. While retirement is not yet in sight, in her spare time Amy is training as a wedding celebrant. To continue to follow all of Amy’s adventures, you can find her on Instagram @amyharris_7 This episode is sponsored by Bloch. Listen for a promo code, valid through September. Full T&C's on www.bloch.com.au Talking Pointes is recorded in Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

For our Season Three bonus episode, we speak again with the divine Dana Stephensen. Dana and I initially spoke about 18 months ago, and in that conversation we covered Dana’s journey into the Australian Ballet, managing her hyperthyroidism and weight gain. We talked about promotions, meeting her now husband Lachie becoming a mom and returning to the stage. This time I speak to the newly retired Dana Stephensen, who after 19 years dancing with the Australian Ballet finally gave a farewell performance at the Royal Opera House in London. In this hugely inspiring episode, we reflect on the depth and the bravery of Dana speaking about postnatal depression after the birth of her twins, how she returned to the stage as a mom of three and clawed back both her confidence and sense of self. But we also talk about the struggles of juggling tour life with Lachie and her three children and how she came to the decision to retire before finally turning to her thoughts for the future. Dana now lives in Brisbane and is settling into life with her husband Lachie and their three children. While she's newly retired from the Australian Ballet, Dana made a surprise appearance with the company in their Brisbane season of “Swan Lake.” You may catch her here and there as she continues to guest with the company. For Australian Ballet tickets and show times, head to their website, australianballet.com.au, or you can find them on Instagram at @ausballet. And to follow all of Dana’s adventures, you can find her on Instagram @danastephensen. We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. @energetiks @energetiksusa Talking Pointes is produced on the lands of the Gadigal and the Wanegal peoples to whom we pay our greatest respects. Talking Pointes is produced by Fjord Review. Remember to subscribe to get the latest episodes as soon as they're released. If you like us, please leave a five-star review. Your host and producer is me, Claudia Lawson, with additional production by Penelope Ford and Clint Topic. Sound production and editing is by Martin Peralta at Output Media. For the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

This week we head to Boston, where I'm speaking with Boston Ballet's legendary principal dancer, John Lam. John has the most incredible story: His Vietnamese parents were refugees who settled in the US and John, together with his brother and sister grew up in relative poverty in California. Traditional family values meant education was key in John's family, but he accidentally found dance as a young boy when his daycare offered it as an extra activity. And from there, the love affair began. John went on to train at Canada's National Ballet School, and on graduation was offered a position at the Boston Ballet. In this wondrous and beautiful conversation, John talks about the joys of dance, about finding his sexuality and the moment he came out to his parents. But we also talk about more about navigating race and racism in ballet, about meeting his husband, becoming a dad to their two boys, and John's hopes that his parents will one day see him dance. We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. @energetiks @energetiksusa Trigger Warning This episode discusses ideas around suicide. For help for depression and anxiety, turn to Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au Talking Points is produced on the lands of the Gadigal and the Wanegal peoples to whom we pay our greatest respects. Talking Points is produced by Fjord Review. Remember to subscribe to get the latest episodes as soon as they're released. If you like us, please leave a five-star review. On the next episode of Talking Points, you'll hear from Dana Stephenson. Your host and producer is me, Claudia Lawson, with additional production by Penelope Ford and Clint Topic. Sound production and editing is by Martin Peralta at Output Media. For the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today we’re speaking with the quite incredible Evie Ferris. Evie was born in Cairns in far north Queensland, and she's a proud Taribelang and Djabugay woman. Growing up, Evie danced alongside her sister, a talent so bright that by the age of 12, her family, including two of her five siblings were moving south to Melbourne. She joined the Australian Ballet School, and on graduation was accepted straight into the company. She's only the second Indigenous Australian to ever join the Australian Ballet. But this isn't the end of Evie's glorious story. In this wondrous interview, Evie described her life in dance, about finding her voice and about the pride but also the pressure that comes with being an Indigenous dancer. We also talk about the moment she met “Blue Wiggle” Anthony Field in a Sydney Opera House Green Room, and how she went on to become the first Indigenous Australian to become both a ballerina and a member of the Wiggles. Evie continues to split her time touring and dancing with both the Australian Ballet and The Wiggles. For Australian Ballet Performances tickets and times, head to australianballet.com.au, or you'll find them on Instagram #AusBallet. For The Wiggle shows and tour dates, head to the wiggles.com, or find them on Instagram @thewiggles. And to follow all of Evie's adventures, find her on Instagram @evieferris. Evie and I recorded our conversation remotely, with Evie dialing in from Melbourne on the land of the Kulin people. Talking Pointes is recorded and produced on Awabakal and Gadigal lands, to the owners of all these lands we pay our greatest respects. Talking Pointes is produced by Fjord Review. Remember to subscribe to get the latest episodes as soon as they're released. And if you like us, please leave a five star review. Your host and producer is me, Claudia Lawson, with additional production by Penelope Ford and Clint Topic. Sound production and editing is by Martin Peralta at Output Media. And for the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com. We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. @energetiks @energetiksusa Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

It’s likely that every single one of our listeners knows the name Cooper Nielson. He briefly broke Jody Sawyer's heart in the cult ballet movie Center Stage, and yet today, we speak with the man who played that role, Ethan Stiefel, who is far more interesting than the notorious Cooper Nielson. Ethan was born in Pennsylvania, and his father was a prison warden, and like many men before him, he was introduced to ballet by watching his sister's dance class. But by age 15, he had been accepted into the School of American Ballet where he trained with the likes of Rudolph Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Upon graduation, he was accepted into the New York City Ballet, but the adventures didn't end there. In this wondrous conversation, Ethan talk so candidly about his life and career. We talk about his early years rising through the ranks at the New York City Ballet before defecting across the Lincoln Center Plaza to join American Ballet Theater as a principal, and Ethan and I cover so much more. We discuss what it's like for American men to grow up dancing in the US, how he became artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, managing a long distance relationship with his now wife, Gillian Murphy, and taking some time off for himself. Finally, we talk about playing Cooper Nielson and his new venture as the artistic director of the American Repertory Ballet. Ethan continues to live with his wife, Gillian Murphy, and their son in New Jersey in the US, while curating the new era of the American Repertory Ballet. For performance times and tickets, head to their website, arballet.org, or you can find them on Instagram, @arballet. While Ethan doesn't have Instagram, you can follow many of his adventures through his wife's Instagram. Gillian Murphy, also a principal dancer at ABT, @gillianemurphy. Ethan and I recorded our conversation remotely with Ethan dialing in from New Jersey on the East Coast of the US. We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. @energetiks @energetiksusa Talking Points is produced on the lands of the Gadigal and the Wanegal peoples to whom we pay our greatest respects. Talking Points is produced by Fjord Review. Remember to subscribe to get the latest episodes as soon as they're released. If you like us, please leave a five-star review. On the next episode of Talking Points, you'll hear from Evie Ferris. Your host and producer is me, Claudia Lawson, with additional production by Penelope Ford and Clint Topic. Sound production and editing is by Martin Peralta at Output Media. For the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today we are speaking with the divine Brooke Casson. Brooke Lockett, as she was known throughout her career, grew up in Ballarat and had a dream run to the stage. She was accepted into the Australian Ballet School by the age of 14, and then straight into the company on graduation. In this beautiful and brave interview, Brooke speaks about her career at the Australian Ballet. We speak about promotions, about being the face of the company, the perception of rank and about hard conversations, but we also talk about so much more about new careers, about meeting her husband, becoming a mom. Brooke continues to direct and teach at her Studio in Rose Bay in Sydney. For class times, and to sign up, head to studio696.com.au or @Studio696x on Instagram. And to continue to follow all of Brooke's wonderful adventures, you can find her on Instagram at @brookecassen. Brooke and I recorded our conversation on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. Team Claudia Lawson, host @byclaudialawson Martin Peralta, sound designer @outputmedia Penelope Ford, producer @fjordreview Clint Topic, additional sound production @sawtoothstudios Talking Pointes was recorded on traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, Awabakal and Worimi. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today we’re speaking with the phenomenal Shaun Parker. Shaun’s path to artistic director and choreographer of an internationally renowned contemporary dance company is totally unexpected. Shaun grew up on a farm in Mildura in regional Victoria, but he had a double life in dance, theatre and singing. After finishing high school, Shaun went on to study science at Monash University in Melbourne until a sliding doors moment— Shaun saw a dance rehearsal in a university lecture room, and the rest is history. In this wonderful interview, Shaun talks about dropping out of uni, returning to the studio to train in dance, and about dancing professionally with the likes of Meryl Tankard, Australian Dance Theater and Chunkymove. But Shaun also speaks about a lot more; of his marriage, later identifying as bisexual, about toxic masculinity, and finally about finding his purpose in starting the internationally acclaimed Shaun Parker Company. We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. Team: Claudia Lawson, host @byclaudialawson Martin Peralta, sound designer @outputmedia Penelope Ford, producer @fjordreview Clint Topic, additional sound production @sawtoothstudios Talking Pointes was recorded on traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, Awabakal and Worimi. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Today we're speaking with the divine Danielle Rowe. Dani grew up in South Australia, and by 14 she had moved interstate to train [in ballet] under Marie Walton Mann. Within a year of that, she'd been accepted into the Australian Ballet School, and on graduation, she was offered a position with the company, but the accolades didn't stop. Dani rose to principal artist, won the Telstra Ballet Dancer award twice, and represented the Australian Ballet company around the world from London to China. But in a move that defines the superstars trajectory, she wanted more. She left Australia and moved to the US, joining Houston Ballet as a principal artist. Less than a year later, she was offered a contract with a prestigious Netherlands Dance Theater. In this wondrous conversation, Dani and I talk about her career across three continents, how she found choreography, about managing long distance relationships, her want for a family, and ultimately how she became the first female artistic director of Oregon Ballet Theater. We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars of tomorrow. Perform and feel your best at every stage of your dance journey in Energetiks’ premium, high performance fabrics. Try them out with a 20% discount site-wide using the code DANIELLE20 at the checkout [available until the end of March 2024]. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. Team Claudia Lawson, host @byclaudialawson Martin Peralta, sound designer @outputmedia Penelope Ford, producer @fjordreview Clint Topic, additional sound production @sawtoothstudios Talking Pointes was recorded on traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, Awabakal and Worimi. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

On our first episode of season three, I'm speaking with the former principal dancer of the Australian Ballet, the much loved Adam Bull. Adam grew up in outer Melbourne and by a stroke of luck, his primary school teacher at his local school suggested he try dance. He did, and it became a love affair that has lasted a lifetime. By the time he was a teenager, he was training under Brian Nolan at Dance World 3 0 1 before joining the Australian Ballet School and then being accepted straight into the Australian Ballet. In this wonderful interview recorded just five days before Adam's final performance in Melbourne. Adam reflects on his career, he speaks of his early life growing up, dancing, joining the company, and of course making principal. But we also talk about more about love, about his onstage relationship with Amber Scott, his thoughts on marriage and what it feels like to dance for the national company for 22 years. Team Claudia Lawson, Host @byclaudialawson Martin Peralta, Sound Designer @outputmedia Penelope Ford, Producer @fjordreview Clint Topic, Additional Sound Production @sawtoothstudios Talking Pointes was recorded on traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, Awabakal and Worimi. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios

Talking Pointes returns for an epic third season. On this season, we're speaking with some of the biggest dance superstars in Australia. We're chatting about their lives and careers, navigating everything from promotion, pregnancy, and making principal. But we are also going overseas, speaking to Australian dancers and international artists who've made their careers around the globe. We're heading to London and to America. From Portland, Oregon on the West coast to New York City. There are life highs and career lows, and we chat everything from bullying, sexuality, confidence, inspiration, and navigating retirement. Find Talking Pointes wherever you listen to your podcasts. And to get the latest episodes, please subscribe or follow. Season three will be rolling out from Tuesday, September 26th, 2023. Production by Claudia Lawson, host @byclaudialawson Martin Peralta, sound designer @outputmedia Penelope Ford, producer @fjordreview Clint Topic, additional sound production @sawtoothstudios Talking Pointes was recorded on traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, Awabakal and Worimi. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Production dream team ✨ Hosted by @byclaudialawson Produced by @fjordreview Additional Production @clinttopic Sound & Editing @outputmedia Studios @brightsidesydney @sawtoothstudios