Company Secrets: Ballet Unfiltered

The season finale of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox closes with a powerful conversation featuring Sir Matthew Bourne, one of the most influential dance theatre makers of our time. Bourne reflects on his landmark 1992 Nutcracker , a bold reimagining that begins in a Dickensian orphanage and transforms into a vivid fantasy world, redefining how this holiday classic can tell an emotionally g...

In this episode of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox , Jared Redick is joined by renowned dance scholar and cultural critic Dr. Brenda Dixon-Gottschild for a bracing conversation about why The Nutcracker may no longer deserve its outsized place in American ballet culture. Rather than arguing for yet another reinvention of the holiday classic, Dixon-Gottschild challenges the field to de cente...

In this episode of Company Secrets , Jared Redick is joined by choreographer and director Christopher Wheeldon for a deep dive into The Nutcracker as narrative, tradition, and opportunity for reinvention. Wheeldon reflects on why The Nutcracker has become the definitive holiday ballet, from its concise storytelling and iconic Tchaikovsky score to its role as both a family introduction to ballet an...

In this episode of Company Secrets , The Nutcracker Paradox: Magic at the World’s Fair, host Jared Redick sits down with legendary former San Francisco Ballet artistic director Helgi Tomasson to explore how The Nutcracker became both a beloved holiday tradition and a living, evolving work of art. Tomasson reflects on nearly four decades of leadership at San Francisco Ballet and his deep personal r...

In this episode of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox , Jared Redick sits down with Ethan Stiefel; principal dancer, film star, choreographer, and arts leader. From performing The Nutcracker at New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre to choreographing his own version and leading major institutions, Stiefel reflects on a lifetime spent inside the ballet. Together, they explore why The...

In this episode of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox , host Jared Redick speaks with Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, about his 2016 production of The Nutcracker and the unique role the ballet plays in American culture. Welch reflects on how differently The Nutcracker functions in the United States compared to other parts of the world, describing it as ballet’s version of...

In this episode of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox , host Jared Redick sits down with Victoria Morgan, former principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet and Ballet West, and longtime artistic director and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet, to explore the enduring legacy, complexity, and future of The Nutcracker . Morgan reflects on the ballet as a powerful “teacher,” tracing its role in artistic de...

In this episode, Jared Redick sits down with Dr. Jennifer Fisher, renowned dance scholar, cultural critic, former dancer, and author of Nutcracker Nation and The Routledge Introduction to Ballet . With her signature blend of insight, humor, and cultural analysis, Dr. Fisher unpacks why The Nutcracker has become one of America’s most enduring secular rituals. She reflects on the ballet’s evolution...

Jared Redick sits down with choreographer and artistic director Amy Seiwert of Smuin Contemporary Ballet to explore her approach to The Nutcracker and holiday storytelling in ballet. With a career spanning 19 years as a dancer and over a decade as a choreographer and artistic director, Amy reflects on her world-premiere Nutcracker at Sacramento Ballet, the only full-length Nutcracker created by a...

In the second episode of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox , Jared Redick talks with arts administrator, educator, author, and choreographer Phil Chan about how ballet can honor tradition while confronting its outdated and harmful elements. As co-founder of the arts advocacy organization Final Bow for Yellowface , Phil has spent years guiding ballet companies toward more inclusive practices,...

In the Season 2 premiere of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox , Jared Redick sits down with the fantastic choreographer Val Caniparoli, whose five different Nutcracker productions, created for companies across the U.S. and abroad, give him an unmatched perspective on ballet’s biggest holiday tradition. With over 50 years at San Francisco Ballet and more than 200 ballets to his name, Val shar...

In this season finale, Jared sits down with the incomparable Gillian Murphy, whose extraordinary 29-year career with American Ballet Theatre made her one of the defining ballerinas of her generation. From Swan Lake to new works by Ratmansky and Wheeldon, Gillian reflects on her remarkable journey—what it means to dance with freedom, the power of presence, and the perspective that comes from a life...

In this episode, Jared sits down with the incomparable Susan Jaffe , Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre and one of the most celebrated ballerinas of her generation. Declared by The New York Times as “America’s quintessential American ballerina,” Susan reflects on her extraordinary performing career, her leadership journey from the stage to the boardroom, and what it takes to sustain exce...

In this episode, Jared sits down with Cervilio  Amador, Artistic Director of Cincinnati Ballet, to explore what it means to lead one of the nation’s most respected ballet companies. Born and trained in Cuba, Cervilio began his professional journey with the National Ballet of Cuba before joining Cincinnati Ballet, where he quickly rose to become one of the youngest principal dancers in the company’...

In this episode, Jared sits down with Aaron Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet. A former principal dancer with Ballet Frankfurt under William Forsythe, Aaron has built an extraordinary career bridging classical tradition and contemporary innovation. After 17 years leading Semperoper Ballett in Dresden, he returned to ENB in 2023 to shape a new chapter for the company. Aaron share...

In this episode, Daniela Cardim, artistic director of Ballet Arizona, delves into the audition process and what she looks for in dancers. She emphasizes the importance of personality and artistry, noting that dancers who express themselves and show creativity during auditions stand out. Daniela explains that while technical skill is crucial, the ability to convey emotion and engage with the audien...

Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of Ma Cong, the new Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet. From his beginnings at the Beijing Dance Academy to his rise as a principal dancer and renowned choreographer, Ma shares his vision for the future of the company. Discover how his unique blend of creativity and leadership is shaping Richmond Ballet's path forward, fostering a collaborative...

In this special episode of Company Secrets: Ballet Unfiltered , Jared sits down with Larissa Saveliev , Founder and Artistic Director of Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the world’s largest international student ballet competition. This special episode is a must-listen for students, dancers, teachers, and parents who are competing or considering competing in Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).  Laris...

In this episode, we delve into the artistic vision and leadership of Septime Weber, the dynamic Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet. With a commitment to nurturing young talent, Weber shares invaluable insights for aspiring dancers, emphasizing the importance of self-motivation and understanding the broader context of their craft. Discover how his innovative productions, like "Romeo and Jul...

This week on Company Secrets , Jared sits down with Kathleen Breen Combes , Artistic and Executive Director of Ballet Rhode Island . A former principal dancer with Boston Ballet — once described by The New York Times as “a ballerina of colossal scale and boldness” — Kathleen brings both artistic depth and business acumen to her leadership role. In this candid conversation, she shares what it’s rea...

In this episode of Company Secrets , Jared sits down with Stephen Mills , Artistic Director of Ballet Austin, as he celebrates his 25th season leading the company. Stephen reflects on his unexpected path from late-blooming dancer to visionary director, sharing insights on curating repertoire, cultivating company culture, and balancing tradition with bold innovation. He pulls back the curtain on Ba...

Ja'Malik stepped into the role of Artistic Director at Madison Ballet in 2022, never anticipating the whirlwind ahead. Just six months in, he also took on Executive Director responsibilities, balancing artistic vision with the demanding realities of organizational leadership. “I put in 90+ hours a week,” he reveals, navigating company classes, rehearsals, choreography, and countless fundraisi...

In this episode, Amy Watson, Artistic Director of the Royal Danish Ballet, pulls back the curtain on her journey from California-born dancer to the helm of one of the world’s most storied companies. A former principal with RDB, Amy shares what her day-to-day looks like now: from morning rehearsals and dancer evaluations to shaping long-term artistic vision. We talk about balancing the Bournonville...

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