Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance

Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome back Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, to discuss the company’s upcoming tour to Houston (Performing Arts Houston, Oct. 23–24) with Alexander Ekman’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and preparations for the season.

He explains Joffrey’s marketing approach, long-range planning and budgeting through 2029, and balancing risk with audience draws like Christopher Wheeldon’s streamlined Sleeping Beauty. Wheater details Ekman’s Swedish Midsummer concept, hay-covered stage, surreal dinner party structure, and commissioned music featuring singer Anna von Hausswolff, and reflects on 20 years building Joffrey’s artistic identity, finances, community ties, and dancer wellness support.

If you are in the Houston area, don't miss the Joffrey Ballet at Performing Arts Houston. Tickets available here.

Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement.

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Website: conversationsondancepod.com

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Welcome to our first Bonus episode of Conversations on Dance, which is available now on our Patreon page. If you are a member of our Ruby or Emerald tier on Patreon, you can listen to this entire episode, as part of your membership. Here on our main feed, we are sharing an excerpt of our interview with choreographer William Forsythe.

If you're not a Patreon member yet, join us over there, for a free month, and enjoy this bonus episode. Click here: https://www.patreon.com/conversationsondance/redeem/2D104

Also as a Patreon member, you get early and ad-free access to other episodes, and we will be having other bonus episodes that you surely won't want to miss over there. So give it a try!

Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement.

Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance

Website: conversationsondancepod.com

Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b

Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance

Today on Conversations on Dance, hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome choreographer Alysa Pires, who's new work for New York City Ballet will be premiering October 1 as a part of NYCB's fashion gala.

Alysa who shares how she gravitated to dance as a child, discovered contemporary dance in high school, and began choreographing early. She discusses mentorship at Toronto Metropolitan University and explains her creative process: coming into ballet settings highly prepared with music charts and organizational planning while developing steps collaboratively in the studio. Byers describes managing imposter syndrome, the people-focused side of choreographing, and a career turning point when the National Ballet of Canada opened its choreographic workshop to outside artists, leading to bigger opportunities. She previews her second NYCB commission, inspired by motherhood, protection, and sacrifice. Tickets and more information: https://www.nycballet.com/season-and-tickets/fall-2026/fall-fashion-gala

00:00 Support on Patreon

00:40 Meet the Hosts

01:29 Early Dance Roots

03:14 Finding Contemporary Path

06:34 Choreography Takes Hold

09:28 Mentors and Ballet Return

11:46 Prepping a New Work

14:25 Music Charts and Logistics

18:57 Discovery in the Studio

20:55 Leading the Room

24:37 Breakthrough Commissions

28:53 City Ballet Nerves

30:10 Family Sacrifice Balance

31:48 Who Gets Choreography

36:06 Second Commission Process

37:49 Casting For Collaboration

43:59 NYCB commission Inspiration

48:19 Fashion And Motherhood

53:51 Title And Bird Imagery

55:49 Premiere Dates And Runs

56:57 Thanks And Credits

Interested in signing up? Enjoy one month access to our Patreon for free: CLICK HERE.

Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement.

Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance

Website: conversationsondancepod.com

Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b

Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.