Late nights, early mornings, punishing schedules, stage fright, pulled hamstrings, failed auditions … Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo, Lauren Cuthbertson, Wayne McGregor, Matthew Bourne and more reveal the secrets of the dance studio
Carlos Acosta
In Cuba, I started break-dancing in the 80s. I was imitating Michael Jackson and so my father forced me into ballet. For three years I struggled; I had the ability to mimic movement very well, but I was unreliable. They cast me in shows and didn’t know if I was going to turn up or not. One time they had to stop a show for an hour and a half to look for me. I was out playing, they found me completely soaked in mud. At the age of 13 I saw the National Ballet of Cuba for the first time. That’s when I fell in love with it. I saw the professionals doing all the lifts and carrying the girl with one hand and I decided, “I want to do that.”
Tommy Franzén
Sprained ankles, pulled hamstrings, back problems, neck problems, shoulder problems. I see it all as an opportunity for learning and I try to explore movement that I can do with that injury, modifying moves, coming up with new moves without using that arm or that leg. Take the opportunity to explore a new way of moving.