Pawlet Brookes: the art of serendipity

Serendipity is what happens when the universe smiles on you: a happy chance, a creative coincidence. It is also the name of the remarkable Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage. Led by the unstoppable Pawlet Brookes, it shifts the lens through which we see dance, putting art and artists from the African and African Caribbean diaspora at the heart of the conversation. Pawlet’s career embraces every aspect of the performing arts. With Serendipity, she has created the annual festival, Let’s Dance International Frontiers, and now a pioneering MA programme. She’s a powerhouse. But why does dance matter to her?Pawlet Brookes MBE is the CEO and Artistic Director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage. Serendipity’s mission is to centre perspectives from the African and African Caribbean diaspora and present them as cultural experiences for all audiences. In 2011, Pawlet founded Let’s Dance International Frontiers, Leicester’s annual dance festival, which showcases high quality dance that celebrates diversity. A champion talent-spotter, Pawlet has brought countless international artists to the UK. Serendipity has a publishing wing, and is developing a digital archive called Unearthed: Forgotten Histories. Pawlet was awarded an MBE in 2022.Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage https://www.serendipity-uk.com/Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2026 runs from 29 April-9 May https://www.serendipity-uk.com/whats-on/lets-dance-international-frontiers/MA Black British Dance and Performancehttps://www.serendipity-uk.com/ma-black-british-dance-and-performance/Why Dance Matters is a dance podcast featuring inspiring conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. Hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, this podcast explores how dance shapes lives and why it matters to us all. Brought to you by the RAD, which inspires the world to dance, these insightful stories will surprise and delight. Tune in and discover more on our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan James Bridge is a sharp mover and thinker and an ambitious talent. Having danced for Company Wayne McGregor, his own choreography has made a splash on screen and in the Ballet Nights series of dance gigs. It all began for Jordan at school near Wigan, in the north of England, where he first discovered dance – where he returned last summer because the dance studio at Fred Longworth High School has been named after him. This full circle moment seems the perfect time to ask Jordan about forging his path, defying the gatekeepers – and why dance matters.Jordan James Bridge is a multi award winning choreographer/performer for stage, screen and fashion. A longstanding dance artist of Company Wayne McGregor, he more recently appeared in Disney's The Marvels and walked for Moschino in Milan fashion week. Nominated for ‘Emerging Artist’ as both dancer and choreographer in the National Dance Award 2024, he has won multiple awards for his dance films Us, Locked Down and PARASITE. He made a ballet for Györi Ballet, Hungary, and is a consistent creative entity at Ballet Nights in London. He is a renowned lecturer in both Cunningham based technique and his signature Guided Improvisation method.Jordan James Bridge https://jordanbridgedance.co.uk/Jordan premieres two works in New English Ballet Theatre: Covent Garden Choreographics on 21 March (Clore Studio, RBO) https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/new-english-ballet-theatre-covent-garden-choreographics-details Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is the choreographer Sonia Sabri – dance changed her life, and now she uses it to change others. Sonia grew up in Wolverhampton, UK, in a traditional Indian family. Unusually her parents supported her dancing: her dad hoped she might conquer Bollywood, but instead, she devoted herself to kathak, which helped her withstand disapproval and bullying. Alongside her international career, her teaching reinforces the power of sharing dance – building not just steps, but self-belief. Our conversation touches on mental health and domestic abuse – Sonia has helped students change their lives in ways she would never have predicted. Sonia Sabri MBE is a multi-award-winning dance artist, choreographer and movement director and Artistic Director of Sonia Sabri Company (SSC). One of the world’s leading Kathak dance artists, her work explores both the classical roots of Kathak and contemporary approaches, reflecting Western and Eastern cultures. In 2022, she was associate choreographer for Wondrous Stories, launching Birmingham Festival Commonwealth Games, and for the Opening Ceremony. SSC is an Associate Artist at Birmingham Hippodrome and Sonia is Creative Resident at Curve. Sonia Sabri Company https://ssco.org.uk/Why Dance Matters is a dance podcast featuring inspiring conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. Hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, this podcast explores how dance shapes lives and why it matters to us all. Brought to you by the RAD, which inspires the world to dance, these insightful stories will surprise and delight. Tune in and discover more on our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Mark Broomfield is a dance scholar and artist, and the author of Black Queer Dance: Gay Men and the Politics of Passing for Almost Straight. Born in London, he has spent much of his career in New York, currently as Associate Professor of English and the Founder and Director of Performance as Social Change at SUNY Geneseo. He says his work is about “moving minds, moving bodies and moving souls” to advance transformational social change. We’ll ask about bodies, identity and change. Dr. Mark Broomfield is Associate Professor of English, Founder and Director of Performance as Social Change™ at SUNY Geneseo. The award-winning, London-born scholar and artist of Jamaican heritage has numerous publications on race, gender, sexuality, dance and ethnography, and he has lectured, choreographed and directed widely. His first book is Black Queer Dance: Gay Men and the Politics of Passing for Almost Straight (Routledge), while his forthcoming documentary Danced Out explores Black, gay male dancers in New York City.Mark’s website https://www.markbroomfield.org/Black Queer Dance https://www.routledge.com/Black-Queer-Dance-Gay-Men-and-the-Politics-of-Passing-for-Almost-Straight/Broomfield/p/book/9780367076351 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We meet Elizabeth Honer – the RAD’s first female chief executive in its 106 year history – marking her first year in post. Elizabeth’s career in public service has included leadership roles in the UK’s Treasury and Foreign Office. But ballet has long been a passion, and Elizabeth first encountered the RAD when taking exams as a child. She returned to dance as a Silver Swan, the life-changing programme for older dance students. How do her values translate into leadership? Culture doesn’t stand still, so leaders must stay alert – how will the RAD develop on her watch?Elizabeth Honer has had a lifelong love of dance, starting her career at Sadler’s Wells and most recently through classes at RAD headquarters and as a member of the RAD’s Finance Committee, before being appointed Chief Executive of the RAD. She has had an illustrious career in public service, latterly as CEO of an HM Treasury commercial agency and a director at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, engaging at senior levels around the globe. Elizabeth was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours. Why Dance Matters is a dance podcast featuring inspiring conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. Hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, this podcast explores how dance shapes lives and why it matters to us all. Brought to you by the RAD, which inspires the world to dance, these insightful stories will surprise and delight. Tune in and discover more on our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first guest of 2026 is the choreographer of the Wicked movies: the defying gravity force field that is Christopher Scott. In two phenomenal films, based on the hit stage musical, Christopher brings the land of Oz to stomping, whirling life – continuing his collaboration with director John M Chu (including In the Heights and the web series Legion of Extraordinary Dancers). How does Christopher, who began as a street dancer, work with stars like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande? And there is no Oscar for choreography – how does this passionate advocate for dance feel about that?Christopher Scott graduated from the Hollywood High Performing Arts Magnet Program, and began his choreography career in the Step Up dance films. He became associate producer and choreographer of The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. From 2010-16, he was a resident choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance, receiving three Emmy nominations. He has directed for stage and screen and has worked with artists such as Miley Cyrus and Gloria Estefan. In 2019, for director Jon M Chu, he choreographed the film of Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, followed by Wicked and Wicked: For Good.Why Dance Matters is a dance podcast featuring inspiring conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. Hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, this podcast explores how dance shapes lives and why it matters to us all. Brought to you by the RAD, which inspires the world to dance, these insightful stories will surprise and delight. Tune in and discover more on our website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamiel Devernay-Laurence has a dance brain, but also a business brain. Founder, artistic director and enthusiastic compere of the ever-growing series of Ballet Nights events, he has also created the production house Fundamentally Dance. Having danced with Scottish Ballet, Jamiel then parlayed his energy into Ballet Nights, taking its programmes of dance into big London venues like Cadogan Hall and the Ministry of Sound nightclub, and to international editions. New events are in the works, and Jamiel’s ballet evangelism knows no bounds – why shouldn’t ballet play the biggest stadiums? Jamiel Devernay-Laurence is an acclaimed creative arts producer, choreographer, filmmaker and entrepreneur. Through his production house, Fundamentally Dance, and the performance umbrella Ballet Nights, he curates and produces high-impact programmes of ballet and contemporary dance across the UK and beyond. A former Soloist with Scottish Ballet, he has earned critical acclaim and a nomination for the Innovation Award at the 2024 Stage Awards in recognition of his dynamic approach to developing exciting new ideas in performing arts. An Evening With Matthew Ball is at the Susie Sainsbury Theatre, London on 14 December: https://www.fundamentallydance.com/an-evening-with-matthew-ballBallet Nights New Year’s Day Concert is at Cadogan Hall, London: https://www.balletnights.com/new-years-dayWhy Dance Matters is a dance podcast featuring inspiring conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. Hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, this podcast explores how dance shapes lives and why it matters to us all. Brought to you by the RAD, which inspires the world to dance, these insightful stories will surprise and delight. Tune in and discover more on our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s an unusual compliment: “Evie has amazing eyes that can emote both compassion and complete psychotic behaviour.” This is a director describing Evie Templeton, who at 16 stars in the hit Netflix series Wednesday. Evie brings her compassionate/psychotic presence to Agnes DeMille – stalker and ally of Wednesday Addams in the comic and macabre series. The character, named for the pioneering choreographer Agnes DeMille, even dances to an original number by Lady Gaga. Evie herself has a background in RAD ballet (her sister Jessica was a medallist at the RAD’s Genée competition). How has ballet shaped Evie’s approach to performing? Evie Templeton was born in Barbados and later moved to England. Aged 10, she played young Cosette and Eponine in Les Misérables in the West End. She made her film debut in Red, followed by roles in Life After Life, Disney’s Pinocchio and Lord of Misrule. As well as playing Agnes DeMille in Wednesday, she is due to appear in Return to Silent Hill. Wednesday on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81231974Why Dance Matters is a dance podcast featuring inspiring conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. Hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, this podcast explores how dance shapes lives and why it matters to us all. Brought to you by the RAD, which inspires the world to dance, these insightful stories will surprise and delight. Tune in and discover more on our website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few classical singers embrace movement as vividly as the star countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo. He explores all the possibilities of a performing career, from opera to cabaret. His captivating high tones specialise in both early and modern operas: famously, in the testing title role of Philip Glass’ Akhnaten. Recent audacious projects include playing Maria Callas, and a solo Marriage of Figaro where he sang all the roles. As director of Opera Philadelphia he has attracted new audiences with a successful Pick Your Price ticket scheme. He’s an astonishing, eloquent advocate for the arts – including dance.Anthony Roth Costanzo began performing professionally aged 11 and has appeared in opera, concert, recital, film and on Broadway. In 2024, he became the General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia. He has appeared with many of the world’s leading opera houses and at a venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Madison Square Garden. His most recent album is Anthony Roth Costanzo & Justin Vivian Bond: Only an Octave Apart, and he stars on the Metropolitan Opera’s Grammy award-winning recording of Akhnaten.Anthony’s website https://anthonyrothcostanzo.com/Opera Philadelphia https://www.operaphila.org/Why Dance Matters is a dance podcast featuring inspiring conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. Hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, this podcast explores how dance shapes lives and why it matters to us all. Brought to you by the RAD, which inspires the world to dance, these insightful stories will surprise and delight. Tune in and discover more on our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To be artistic director of one of the world’s great ballet companies is a daunting task. But Tamara Rojo is accustomed to pressure: as Royal Ballet, artistic director of English National Ballet, and now of San Francisco Ballet (SFB), America’s oldest classical company. Tamara has the gift of making each programmes an event; the highlight of her first season at SFB was Mere Mortals, a ballet for the age of AI, which attracted a new audience to watch and party. We ask Tamara: how does she juggle all the demands of her role? And what is it like to lead a major arts organisation in modern America? Tamara Rojo is a celebrated leader and principal dancer who became Artistic Director of San Francisco Ballet in 2022. Previously, she was Artistic Director and Lead Principal of English National Ballet (ENB) for over 10 years, having also been principal dancer of the Royal Ballet. Her repertoire includes lead roles in all full-length ballet classics, as well as works by Balanchine, Robbins, Ashton and MacMillan. Her numerous awards include the Olivier Award for Best Achievement in Dance in 2017 and the Principe de Asturias Award in 2005. In 2016, she was awarded a CBE for services to dance. Listen to RAD's Why Dance Matters podcast now, available on all major listening platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.