Lead & Create

In this episode of the Lead and Create podcast, host Neus is joined by choreographer and Autin Dance Theatre artistic director Johnny Autin for a deep dive into the strategy behind building a sustainable independent company. This episode was recorded in 2025 but due to capacity is being published in 2026. Johnny shares the seven-year journey of A Positive Life — a piece rooted in his lived ex...

What happens when a dancer becomes disengaged in the studio? Rather than simply giving up on the relationship, what if we looked at the conditions we are creating as choreographers and teachers? In this episode, Neus looks at Peps Mccrea's research on motivation from the lens of the creation process, exploring the relationship between motivation, success and failure, and the role we play in helpin...

What does it really mean to be a mother and a choreographer? In this conversation, recorded during our Instagram Live with Dance Mama, we talk honestly about the realities and challenges of combining motherhood with a choreographic career — and, importantly, what we can do to create better conditions for choreographer mothers. We also share Motherspace: a new residency for three choreographer moth...

Choreographer, dancer, teacher, and mother of three, Lea Tirabasso joins host Neus Gil Cortes for a rich conversation about what it really takes to lead in the dance world — and in life. Lea shares how her years as a dancer in German companies shaped her understanding of leadership, from the physical rollercoaster of a day in the studio to the profound importance of creating safe, caring spaces wh...

In this episode of Lead & Create, I sit down with Marla King to talk about climate justice and what’s possible when independent artists realise they have more power than they think. We explore:- How climate justice connects with the arts and why it matters.- The myth that individual impact is too small to count — and how to challenge it.- The strength and energy that comes from artists joining...

Sarah Blanc is one of those artists who brings her full self into everything she does—whether that’s creating punk gig-theatre for kids, making socially engaged performance, or showing up in her boldest fashion choices. Her work is funny, political, and always unapologetically her. In our chat, we talk about the real side of leadership: the moments when you can hold the space, and the moments when...

Why do some student groups feel more motivated, engaged, and willing to take creative risks than others — even when you’re teaching the same curriculum? And as teachers, how much influence do we really have over those hidden dynamics? In this episode of the Lead & Create Podcast (also available on YouTube), Neus Gil Cortés dives into the undercurrents that shape a classroom or studio:How group...

In this episode of Lead & Create, Neus is joined by Adrian Porter, Head of Higher Education at the National Centre for Circus Arts and former Cirque du Soleil coach and performer. Adrian shares his journey from childhood gymnastics to international touring, reflecting on how curiosity and play became the foundations of his practice as both an artist and a leader. The conversation dives into wh...

What does it take to create actual healthy workspaces in dance — not just the ones we talk about? In this episode, I speak with Theo Clinkard — choreographer, teacher, designer, and longtime advocate for respectful creative processes. We explore what happens when dancers are treated as collaborators rather than vessels, how fear shows up in the studio (in both subtle and obvious ways), and what it...

We know rest is important. We know we should see friends and take breaks from our screens. But even when we know what’s good for us… we often don’t do it. So what’s really going on? In this episode, Neus Gil Cortes explores twelve reflections to support your mental health as a choreographer — through the lens of four vital relationships: with yourself, with others, with the world, and with your pu...

What if being fearless isn't the goal? In this episode of Lead & Create, Neus Gil Cortes explores how fear shows up in the lives of choreographers and artist-leaders — and why it’s not something we need to eliminate, but something we need to understand. From funding uncertainty to creative vulnerability, Neus shares personal reflections, common fears in freelance life, and practical tools to h...

Welcome back to a brand new season of Lead & Create! We're starting with a big question: what is in your power? As independent choreographers, it’s easy to feel powerless — caught between shrinking funding, uncertain futures, and working environments that don’t always support us. But what if the power we long for is already within reach? In this episode, Neus reflects on:– Why the current land...

In this final episode of the How to Sell a Show mini-series, Neus shares the surprising final booking numbers for Bending Reality — and how nearly 100 people booked just days before the show. She reflects on the flurry of last-minute marketing efforts, what may (or may not) have worked, and the deeper realisation that emerged through all the stress: she really wants this career. It’s a wrap-up fil...

Neus returns after a short silence to share what happened when the ticket sales stayed slow despite every marketing strategy in the book. In this honest, reflective episode, she talks about navigating a dip in motivation, what helped her reconnect to the creative process, and how prepping the space, listening to her favourite music, and owning her nerves all contributed to a richer rehearsal week....

In this second episode of the “How to Sell a Show” mini-series, I wake up grumpy — not just because we haven’t sold ten more tickets (we’re at 35 with 3 weeks to go), but because I’m running on empty. So this one’s about burnout, being honest when you’re not OK, and how sometimes naming what’s wrong gives you the energy to act. We talk about:Power, ‘good girl’ conditioning, and why I haven’t hande...

Welcome to the first bite-sized episode of Lead & Create: The Mini-Series! Neus Gil Cortes shares the real (and slightly chaotic) behind-the-scenes of trying to sell a new dance-circus show in 2025. With one month to go before the premiere of Bending Reality, she talks painfully slow sales, algorithm woes, black-and-white photos that Instagram hates, and the desperate hope that audiences do st...

In this last episode of Season 1 of the Lead & Create process, host Neus Gil Cortes meets fellow choreographer and friend Miguel Altunaga to explore the intersection of art, self-awareness, and leadership in dance. Both Neus and Miguel share insights from their extensive experience in the industry, highlighting the importance of vulnerability, community, and personal growth in the creative pro...

Navigating Leadership in Dance: Insights with Yukiko MasuiIn this episode of the Lead and Create podcast, host Neus Gil Cortes, an experienced Spanish choreographer, discusses leadership in the dance industry with Yukiko Masui, a Tokyo-born choreographer based in London. Yukiko shares her journey in combining hip hop and contemporary dance, her experience with different leadership styles, and the...

Exploring Radically Tender Dance Theatre with Rhiannon FaithIn this episode of the Lead and Create podcast, host Neus Gil Cortes, a seasoned Spanish choreographer and dramaturg, interviews the groundbreaking artist, Rhiannon Faith. The conversation highlights Rhiannon's unique approach to dance theatre, explaining some her recent projects, 'Lay Down Your Burdens' and 'The Care We See.' They delve...

Reimagining Leadership with Reece McMahon and So'l JelenkeWelcome to another episode of Lead and Create, where we delve into the transformative practices reshaping leadership in the arts. I’m thrilled to be joined by two trailblazers in the dance community: Reece McMahon and So'l Jelenke. In this episode, Reece and So'l share their journey through a groundbreaking transformation at Chisenhale Danc...

In this episode of Lead & Create, Neus Gil Cortes takes you through some key insights into navigating relationships as an independent choreographer. She shares a personal story about a chance encounter with Eva Martinez at the Welsh Dance Platform Festival, reflecting on how to approach relationships with programmers and overcome imposter syndrome. Neus also explores the importance of collabor...

Ever wondered how to genuinely embed accessibility into your creative practice without it feeling like an afterthought? Are you striving to create meaningful work for communities with specific access needs and looking for innovative ways to enrich their experience? In this episode, we share our journey of incorporating accessibility for deaf audiences into the creative process of NOISE—a project t...

In this episode of the "Lead & Create" podcast, we explore the emotional challenges that come with being a choreographer and artist, especially when facing criticism, rejection, and self-doubt. Drawing insights from articles, books and conversations with other artists, we discuss how to navigate the sting of negative feedback, protect your art, and build resilience. Tune in for practical tips...

Join Neus Gil Cortes in an insightful conversation with choreographer Becky Naumgauds. Becky shares her experiences and challenges in the dance industry, touching on themes of feminist activism, leadership, and the importance of consent. They delve into the nuances of leading diverse dance groups, learning from past leadership styles, and the personal growth that comes from embracing mistakes. A m...

Ever felt like an outsider in your own family? Or like you are a different person professionally and at home? In this episode of Lead and Create, Neus Gil Cortes explores how family interactions can teach us essential leadership lessons as choreographers. We'll cover 11 key leadership lessons that Neus, a mother of two, takes from parenting advice, and you will be amazed at how well they serve pro...