Q&A With Evie Ferris

In 3 words what does dance mean to you?

Discovery, connection, expression.

 Favourite ballet to dance?

Tough to pick just one! Different ballets inspire different things within me and there are so many beautiful productions I am yet to experience.

Swan Lake is one of the first ballet’s I performed with The Australian Ballet so it holds a special place in my heart. It is a challenging but incredibly rewarding ballet and there is nothing like dancing on stage alongside friends and colleagues, completely immersed in such a timeless piece. 

Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

Ballet is not a readily accessible art form, though it is becoming more so through projects dedicated to reaching broader audiences and organisations like Ballet Without Borders. I recognise my privilege and the opportunities that got me to where I am today and never take them for granted. I think it’s important that people use their opportunities to help others and I hope that I can advocate and pave the way in making ballet more accessible to children in all walks of life. 

What is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?  

 The idea that ballet dancers have to be a certain height and/or weight. I think this is slowly improving but it’s so important for the health and well-being of emerging dancers to know that our strengths are in our uniqueness and individuality.  

What are you reading right now?

“Raising Girls Who Like Themselves” – Kasey Edwards & Dr Christopher Scanlon

1 thing that most people don't know about you?

I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Food and Nutrition. Sometimes it’s hard to fit this in to my schedule but it’s very rewarding and I’m getting a lot out of it. 

Ballet without Borders aims to allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience ballet- if you had ultimate power for a day what would you do to make this happen?  

I’d organise free masterclasses right around the world that all children, from all backgrounds, can participate in. Followed by free performances and Q&A’s with professional ballet dancers. Ensuring that remote localities are reached.

Favourite ballet to watch?

Couldn’t pick just one! Giselle, In the Upper Room, Alice In Wonderland. They are all so different and versatile which is something I love about this art form. 

If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

Don’t let the belief of others or your own self-doubt hold you back. Mistakes are a vital part of growth. You are worthy and your story is important.  

You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

I would create a talk show where the elephant has a comfortable space to live in and invite people to talk about the elephant in the room - uncomfortable topics like racism and class bullying to bring awareness to important social topics.

Picture by Kate Longely

Q&A - Alice Topp-Australian Ballet's resident choreographer

In 3 words what does dance mean to you?

Soul in motion.

2. Favourite ballet to dance?

William Forsythe’s In The Middle Somewhat Elevated and Wayne McGregor’s Infra, and Jiri Kylian’s Petit Mort...and...and.. I just can’t pick one!

3. Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

I believe that dance is a universal language. People all over the world dance when they feel joy or when celebrating and it’s a universal way of connecting with others. Body language a big way of expressing oneself. Ballet can sometimes be trickier for people to relate to and understand but I believe most of the time it’s just that ballet is misunderstood as a form of art just to be appreciated by an elite group of people. Most ballets speak of common themes relating to the human condition - love, loss, joy, tragedy, passion - something everyone will experience in life and can connect with. And most people have a love for music! So I think it’s just about dispelling the theory that ballet is only tiaras and tulle!

4. What is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?

I think when people think of ballet they believe there’s so much focus on the aesthetics - being a particular height, weight and look and having certain physical attributes and facility, like highly arched feet etc. Being a ballet dancer is SO MUCH MORE than that! You are not just a sum of your parts! To be a ballet dancer you are first and foremost an artist, a storyteller. You also require incredible mental strength to deal with the pressure of demanding schedules, relentless touring, injury and retaining countless counts and repertoire! Being a dancer requires great athleticism, strength and endurance as a performer as well as discipline, determination and commitment to get to that level. It’s so much more than “the look.”

5. What are you reading right now?

The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenburg

6. 1 thing that most people dont know about you?

That I’m a big country kid and if I’m not in pointe shoes, I’m in Blundstones.

7. Ballet without Borders aims to allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience ballet- if you had ultimate power for a day what would you do to make this happen

I would make sure every child had the opportunity to see a live performance at a venue for free. We’d fill theatres around the globe with children who’d never experienced ballet. It would be 24 hours of shows and we’d make sure children from all regional and rural areas were able to travel to their nearest venue to witness a show and meet the performers. If I had ultimate power beyond a day, I’d make sure they had access to free classes and dance education forever more!

8. Favourite ballet to watch?

Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room

9. If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

I would tell myself not to be afraid to take up space. Not to be afraid to be different, unique and imperfect. To have courage to be seen and heard and to be unapologetically honest as an artist and human. As perfectionists, we are always spending so much of our careers self-critiquing and comparing our journey to others, but it’s all over so quickly, and you want to enjoy the short time you have! Don’t spend it wishing you were this or that but celebrate you and your unique gifts. No one else has that to offer!

10. You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

Sadly I think it would be too big for my apartment!! I’d have to find it some land which I might turn into a wildlife conservation where we could educate people from a young age to appreciate the world and all it’s inhabitants and cultivate compassion and empathy for other living things.