Q&A with Corporate Partnerships Manager, Joe Chapman

Who was your favourite choreographer that you worked with?

It is impossible to choose one! Crystal Pite is one of the greatest choreographers currently creating. Dancing her work at The Mariinski in 2018 and then working with her in 2019 and 2020 on a new creation was incredible. She is a one-of-a-kind creative, collaborator, teacher and rehearsal director. She is also a good person, which makes working with her a pleasure.

I have danced Jîrí Kylián works three times in my career. While working with him directly would be incredible, I have been very lucky to learn from repetiteurs who danced with Nederlands Dans Theater when he was creating. In the world of classical ballet, Christopher Wheeldon is someone I would love to work with again, his creations are some of the most important of the 21st century and he is a brilliant storyteller….and one more, I wish I could time travel to work with John Cranko. When I dance his choreography (which I have only once or twice) I feel at my most expressive.

What was your daily routine as a dancer?

My routine changed depending on my workload. During a time where we were rehearsing and not performing, my day started with specific exercises that addressed areas of weakness or misalignment in my body. Then class, which is an essential part of every day; it was an opportunity to refine the simple but often challenging technical elements that make up classical ballet. I find that the more challenging classes made rehearsals feel easier.

The rest of the day was filled with rehearsals. If there was any free time, I liked to do other forms of exercise that released endorphins and helped work up a sweat. Sometimes I did specific cross training that helped achieve a required level of fitness or strength that would help with upcoming repertoire. On performance day, pre-class exercises and class started a bit later (which allowed time for an extra coffee!), and after a shorter rehearsal, there would be a longer break before the performance. On those days I often didn’t get home until 11pm so it was important to be organised and have healthy meals made in advance.

How was your experience starting at Queensland Ballet in 2021?

I am incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to dance back home in Australia. I was very thankful to Li Cunxin AO and Queensland Ballet for bringing me into the Company in what was an exciting year! There is an energy within the Company and I am in awe of how they have grown in recent years. It is a world-renowned ballet Company and I am still excited to be here!

Which productions did you enjoy performing in the most as a Queensland Ballet Company Artist?

Can I say all of them!? Harald Lander’s Études, which featured in the 60th Anniversary Gala season, was an exciting piece. It’s a work performed only by the best ballet companies in the world! The Bespoke season was fantastic too. To have so many Australian choreographers commissioned for one season is unique to Queensland Ballet, and it was a wonderful opportunity to welcome audiences to the newly renovated Thomas Dixon Centre to experience a variety of diverse choreographic voices.

In 2022 you left the Queensland stage and moved to New York – tell us about this experience.

Last year I worked for a production company, ByDesign TV in New York, that produces design focused TV shows for CBS. My role encompassed online content and Segment Producing, Directing and Partnership Management. I was able to refine my skills in copy and script writing, conceive and realise creative projects and ensure sponsored content was in line with ByDesign's brand. I continue to manage their online presence and newsletter, which gives me an enjoyable creative outlet. 

And this year we welcomed you back to Queensland Ballet’s business side as Corporate Partnerships Manager. What are you enjoying about your new role?

My new role allows me the opportunity to champion and facilitate an artform that has been an integral part of my life. I have always been interested in how art can enrich the lives of those who have access. For that reason, I am inspired by the scope of possibility realisable when arts organisations engage with their communities.

On a personal level, it brings me great pride to represent a ballet company that I respect so deeply. Working with and learning from our truly inspirational arts leaders is an incredibly opportunity. And assisting in building a platform that advances Queensland Ballet’s already impressive reach feels like a natural and poetic way to give back to the artform and to QB.

To find out more about Joe, click Here 

Photo credit: Karolina Kuras