Scottish Ballet’s Half Hour Call

Escape the backstage commotion and find a quiet moment in the dressing room with Scottish Ballet. 

Join staff and dancers from Scotland’s national dance company as we take on some big discussions facing society today, shining a light on what the ballet industry can do to become more transparent, diverse, inclusive, and equitable. 

In each episode, we’ll be joined by special guests for a frank conversation about the world we live in, and where a ballet company fits into it. 

Listen below or stream on your favourite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The opinions expressed are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the views of Scottish Ballet and its employees. 

Episode 1 – Diversity in Ballet 

Scottish Ballet’s CEO/Artistic Director Christopher Hampson is joined by Cassa Pancho MBE, Artistic Director & Founder of Ballet Black and Rishan Benjamin, Scottish Ballet Artist, to explore how the dance community can do more to stamp out racism within the industry, and beyond.  

Episode 2 – Masculinity in Ballet 

Scottish Ballet’s Head of Performance Medicine Martin Lanfear is joined by Myles Thatcher, choreographer and dancer at San Francisco Ballet, Bruno Micchardi, Scottish Ballet Soloist, and Scottish Ballet’s Director of Engagement Catherine Cassidy, for an open and candid discussion about masculinity in ballet.

Episode 3 – Facing our History 

In this episode, Scottish Ballet’s Director of Brand, Audience & Digital, Kate Carter, is joined by Jane Pritchard, Curator of Dance, Theatre and Performance at the V&A, and Sir Geoff Palmer, human rights activist and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University for a discussion about how we can address some of the difficult areas of our history. 

Was it braw?

This is a pilot of what we hope to become a full podcast series. We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and suggestions for the series so that you can help shape its future.

This podcast is produced by Scottish Ballet, with thanks to Bespoken Media and Joel Cox Sound Design.