The Stage Rightside with James Whiteside

James Whiteside
  • 4.9 (126)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Stage Rightside with James Whiteside is a podcast about the creative life—onstage and off. Principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, writer, and choreographer James Whiteside shares behind-the-scenes conversations, solo reflections, and personal essays on art, career longevity, creativity, and identity. Episodes range from intimate monologues to candid interviews with dancers, artists, and friends, offering an honest look at the process behind the performance.

  1. 2D AGO

    53. Management, Money, & the Long Game with Garen Scribner

    In this episode of The Stage Rightside, James sits down with longtime friend and manager Garen Scribner for a candid conversation about life after dancing, career pivots, and what it really takes to build a sustainable creative life. Garen shares his path from the stage to management and producing—through graduate school at Harvard, rejection, reinvention, and ultimately founding a practice built on long-term thinking and trust. Together, James and Garen unpack the difference between agents and managers, how artists can advocate for themselves, and why “success” doesn’t always look the way we’re told it should. They also talk honestly about James’s own crossroads as a principal dancer preparing for what comes next, the challenge of making time for choreography while still performing, and the freedom (and fear) of imagining a future beyond the stage. Plus: dance film, illegal documentaries, lemon trees, and why having the right people in your corner changes everything. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    32 min

  2. JAN 29

    52. Your Son is Probably Gay (and other news)

    In this episode, I read my latest Substack essay aloud and share some of the DMs it sparked—thoughtful, funny, and occasionally surprising. I also talk about the feedback I just received from my literary agent on my new book and what it’s like to sit with notes, doubt, and excitement all at once. A behind-the-scenes look at the writing life, the reader response, and the messy middle of making something new. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    19 min

  3. JAN 24

    51. Cats, Books, & Ballet Chaos

    This week on The Stage Rightside, James checks in from rehearsal season—with a purring cat, a recovering back spasm, and plenty of opinions. As ABT prepares for tour with Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale, he reflects on jealousy, insecurity, and how most Shakespearean disasters could be solved with better communication. Along the way: unhinged New York subway behavior, thoughts on the ethics of Free Solo, recent reads, and a deep dive into Part Two of his Substack series 31 Years a Nutcracker Prince. From dancing The Bear in Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker(yes, with aerial cartwheels) to confetti cannons, beloved dressers, and onstage chaos, it’s a nostalgic, hilarious solo episode about ballet, books, and life in the theater. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    24 min

  4. JAN 15

    50. Mid-Career Moves with Cassandra Trenary

    In this episode, I talk with my dear friend and fellow dancer Cassandra Trenary about what it means to leave a dream — not because it’s broken, but because you’ve outgrown it. Cassie shares why she chose to leave her life as a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre to join the Vienna State Opera, what it felt like to step into the unknown, and how injury, heartbreak, and stillness became the catalyst for change. We talk about restlessness, timing, courage, and the quietly radical question: How much time do I have? If you’ve ever felt the itch to change something in your life — your job, your city, your relationship, or yourself — this conversation is for you. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 5m

  5. JAN 8

    49. Avatar Needs a Gay Focus Group

    James talks about his upstate writer's retreat and why Avatar needs a gay focus group. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    18 min

  6. JAN 1

    48. Happy New Year! and a Short Story

    James wishes Stage Rightside listeners a Happy New Year, tells tales of his Christmas, and reads a brand new kids' story called "Johnny Newcastle". Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    17 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    47. Holiday Special with Isabella Boyston and a very Nutcracker Substack!

    James does a post-show Nutcracker download with ABT Principal ballerina Isabella Boylston and reads his very first essay for Substack. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    32 min

  8. 09/10/2025

    46. Summer RECAP with James Whiteside

    James talks about Met Season with ABT, Vail Dance Festival, and staging his ballet "New American Romance" in Mexico City. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-stage-rightside-with-james-whiteside/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    31 min
See All (54)

4.9
out of 5
126 Ratings

About

The Stage Rightside with James Whiteside is a podcast about the creative life—onstage and off. Principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, writer, and choreographer James Whiteside shares behind-the-scenes conversations, solo reflections, and personal essays on art, career longevity, creativity, and identity. Episodes range from intimate monologues to candid interviews with dancers, artists, and friends, offering an honest look at the process behind the performance.

Information

You Might Also Like