Open Barre

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Welcome to Open Barre, hosted by Julia Dixon, founder of To The Pointe blog, and Brandon Lawrence, Principal Dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet. Find out what goes on behind the scenes in ballet as we discuss and dive in to this magnificent world featuring many wonderful guests along the way. Sponsored by DANSEZ dancewear

25/04/2023

Bonus Ep: What does it feel like to announce a big move?

We are back for another bonus episode! This time, Julia and Brandon discuss the recent announcement that Brandon will be leaving Birmingham Royal Ballet in the summer, to join Ballet Zurich. In his own words, Brandon describes his feelings about the decision, from what he's looking forward to dancing in Zurich, through to what he will miss most about BRB. Julia wonders which costumes make the best leaving photos... Get the tissues out - this one's a bit emosh!

51 min
30/12/2022

S5 Bonus Episode! What's it like to dance both male and female roles in ballet?

Did you really think we would end it there?! To round off season five, and the end of 2022, we have a special bonus episode for you all, because what says happy new year without a bit of open barre?! Today we are joined by the incredible Robert Carter, AKA Olga Supphozova AKA Yuri Smirnov, legendary dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Robert has been trailblazing through the dance world for decades and there's still no stopping him. We discussed what it's like to dance in such an iconic ballet company and to tour all over the world. Brandon reminisces on his own memories of seeing 'the trocks' and Julia wonders what the secret is to making ballet funny...

1h 10m
16/12/2022

S506: What's it like to dance for two Royal Ballet companies?

It's the season five series finale!!! We can't believe that we've come to the end of another season of Open Barre - but here we are! Thank you to all of our amazing listeners, guests, and of course our wonderful sponsors, Dansez. We have such a special guest joining us for the finale - none other than the Nutcracker Prince himself - William Bracewell. As Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, William is one of the few Principal male dancers to star at both Birmingham Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet. We find out what this journey has been like and Brandon reminisces on his memories of Billy during their time at BRB together. Julia wonders if seeming real on stage comes naturally to a dancer...

1h 18m
02/12/2022

S505: What's it like to watch your spouse debut in a leading role?

It's episode five and what an exciting ep do we have for you! We are joined by not one, but TWO guests from The Royal Ballet - First Soloist Claire Calvert and Principal Dancer Alexander Campbell! The recently married couple fill us in on their favourite roles, what it's like to work together and the future of their new venture - Prima Dance Academy. Brandon talks about the refurbished production of The Nutcracker at Birmingham Royal Ballet and Julia wonders what the dressing rooms are like at The Royal Albert Hall...

1h 19m
18/11/2022

S504: How do you organise a company repertoire?

For episode four of season five, we are joined by the one and only Laura Day! Laura has been dancing with Birmingham Royal Ballet for years, but joins us on Open Barre to discuss her new roles as a Principal Character Artist and an Assistant Répétiteur! We discuss what is was like to play Sancho Panza in the recent production of 'Don Quixote' and we find out how difficult it is to organise the rep for a ballet company. Brandon answers a question from one of our listeners and Julia wonders if Open Barre helped change curtain calls for male dancers...

1h 20m
04/11/2022

S503: What is it like to be a Principal Ballerina's mum?

We have another exciting episode for you all! We are joined by Sabine Naghdi, author of 'Tears Of A Ballet Mum' and mother to Yasmine Naghdi, Principal ballerina at The Royal Ballet and friend of the show! If you haven't read Sabine's book, it's an absolute must read which delves into the detail of what it's like to parent a ballerina on her journey to the top. Elsewhere in the episode, Brandon reflects on some of his favourite memories from White Lodge and Julia admits to not being the biggest fan of Swanilda...

1h 20m
21/10/2022

S502: How can the dance industry support its young dancers?

This week we are joined by Julie Bowers, CEO at BBO Dance and Creator and Executive Producer of Grad Pro. Julie gives us an insight into her amazing career since retiring from The Royal Ballet and she catches up with Brandon to discuss their quest to support dancers through Grad Pro. Brandon also fills us in on his preparations to debut as Franz in 'Coppelia' and Julia wonders if you have to 'act in full' in the studio at all times...

1h 16m
07/10/2022

S501: What does it feel like to guest with a ballet company?

Welcome back to Open Barre! We know it's been a while since our last season, but what an exciting season five do we have for you! Before we get into it though, in this episode, Brandon and Julia catch up on the last few months. Brandon discusses what it was like to guest with Cape Town City Ballet and Julia wonders who picked him up from the airport...

36 min

See All (33)

Creator

Open Barre
Years Active

2020 - 2023
Episodes

33
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Open Barre

Open Barre

Bonus Ep: What does it feel like to announce a big move?

S5 Bonus Episode! What's it like to dance both male and female roles in ballet?

S506: What's it like to dance for two Royal Ballet companies?

S505: What's it like to watch your spouse debut in a leading role?

S504: How do you organise a company repertoire?

S503: What is it like to be a Principal Ballerina's mum?

S502: How can the dance industry support its young dancers?

S501: What does it feel like to guest with a ballet company?

About

Information

Open Barre

Episodes

Bonus Ep: What does it feel like to announce a big move?

S5 Bonus Episode! What's it like to dance both male and female roles in ballet?

S506: What's it like to dance for two Royal Ballet companies?

S505: What's it like to watch your spouse debut in a leading role?

S504: How do you organise a company repertoire?

S503: What is it like to be a Principal Ballerina's mum?

S502: How can the dance industry support its young dancers?

S501: What does it feel like to guest with a ballet company?

About

Information