Scottish Ballet's Half Hour Call artwork

Scottish Ballet's Half Hour Call

15 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

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

We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and suggestions for the series so that you can help shape its future. Please email your feedback to [email protected]

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Episodes

Creative casting: What's gender got to do with it?

December 22, 2023 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MB

Breaking with tradition in theatre is a tradition in itself. In this episode, we explore the creative potential in adapting traditionally gendered roles, as Scottish Ballet's Director of Partnerships, Kirsten Cockburn, is joined by actor and creative, Maggie Bain, alongside Scottish Ballet CEO and Artistic Director, Christopher Hampson.

Dance: Your doctor's best friend

December 15, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MB

How can activities like dance support healthcare? In this episode we explore social prescribing with Scottish Ballet's Senior Dance Health Manager Lisa Sinclair, who is joined by Consultant in Emergency Medicine Dr Dave Caesar, and Assistant Director of Alliance Scotland, Roseann Logan. The term ‘social prescribing’ is used to describe a service in which people can access a range of non-medical services and activities to improve their mental health and wellbeing. We’ll find out how this mo...

The cycle: Just say period

December 08, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

In episode two of our two-part special, we discuss attitudes and misconceptions around periods, as Olympic swimmer Hannah Miley joins Scottish Ballet Principal Marge Hendrick, hosted Scottish Ballet’s Head of Performance Medicine Martin Lanfear.

The cycle: Periods and their purpose

December 01, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MB

In episode one of our two-part special, we learn about the menstrual cycle and the impact of missing periods. Scottish Ballet Soloist Melissa Polson joins Sports & Dance Endocrinologist, Dr Nicky Keay, hosted by Scottish Ballet’s Head of Performance Medicine Martin Lanfear. Please note: this episode contains conversations about eating disorders and mental health. If you are concerned about your mental health visit mentalhealth.org.uk or smah.org.uk or call your local emergency services in a...

Ballet and body image: What needs to change

September 06, 2023 23:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MB

It’s no secret that ballet has its fair share of issues with body image. How do we bring about meaningful change in the industry? In this episode, Scottish Ballet CEO/Artistic Director Christopher Hampson is joined by Scottish Ballet Soloist Grace Horler, with Influencer, Content Creator and former dancer with some of America's most prestigious ballet companies, Kathryn Morgan. Please note: this episode contains conversations about body shaming, body image and mental health. If you are con...

Recovering from injury head first

November 02, 2022 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MB

How does injury impact a dancers mental health? And vice versa? In this episode we discuss the importance of taking care of your mind as well as your body with Scottish Ballet Engagement Creative Director Sara Kemal, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Zara Lipsey, and SB dancers Jamie Reid and Madeline Squire.    Please note: this episode contains conversations about mental health.  Help is always available. If you are concerned about your mental health visit mentalhealth.org.uk or smah.org.uk, or c...

How can visually impaired audiences enjoy ballet?

October 26, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

How best can the industry support our visually impaired audience members? Scottish Ballet’s Engagement Producer Lorna Murray is joined by Audio Describer Emma-Jane McHenry and Allan Russell, Producer at RNIB radio.

Social Media: Thirst traps & biscuits

October 19, 2022 07:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MB

Does ballet have a perfectionism problem? In this episode we explore all things social media, as Scottish Ballet’s Senior Producer, Tony Currie speaks to Biscuit Ballerina and Royal Ballet Flanders Soloist Shelby Williams, and Scottish Ballet Artist Harvey Littlefield about their relationships with the digital world.

Final Bow for Yellow Face

October 12, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MB

The dance industry has a problematic track record with its depictions of marginalised groups and communities. In this episode, Scottish Ballet’s CEO and Artistic Director Christopher Hampson explores representation in ballet with Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellow Face and Kumi McKenna, designer and former Scottish Ballet Membership Intern.

Parenting: A balancing act

October 05, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MB

How do dancers and creatives navigate parenting whilst working for a touring company?  Scottish Ballet’s Head of Performance Medicine Martin Lanfear is joined by founder of Dance Mama Lucy McCruddon and Scottish Ballet Principal Bethany Kingsley-Garner.

Pilot Episode 2 - Masculinity in Ballet

July 29, 2021 11:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

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

Pilot Episode 1 - Diversity in Ballet

July 29, 2021 11:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

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

Pilot Episode 2 - Masculinity in Ballet

July 29, 2021 11:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

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

Pilot Episode 3 - Facing our History

July 29, 2021 11:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MB

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

Trailer

July 22, 2021 10:00 - 51 seconds - 674 KB

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.