19 November 2021 08:57

International Men’s Day 2021

Today at the RAD, we are marking International Men's Day and looking at the challenges and triumphs of men in dance.

The three core themes for the day are:

  • Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys
  • Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing
  • Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity

We have contributions from the RAD's Artistic Director, Gerard Charles on men in ballet, and Aiden Truss from the Marketing and Communications team shares his personal journey discovering dance.

We also feature Jason Thomas, a RAD Registered Teacher based in Cornwall on teaching boys to dance, and Joshua Royal, a gay man living with HIV, whose drive and ambition have helped him regain his self-love and to become a professional ballet dancer.

Finally, there are two video interviews; with Steven McRae, Principal at The Royal Ballet on his career, training and recent recovery from major injury; and Romàn Baca, Artistic Director of EXIT 12 Dance Company in New York, about how he and his company are using dance to support military veterans. Also, watch Carlos Acosta give his advice to those who might be the only boy in their ballet class.

Men in ballet

RAD Artistic Director Gerard Charles shares his thoughts on a professional ballet career for men. The challenges and the potential rewards of a career in…
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Real men don’t lift weights…

RAD Content Manager, Aiden Truss, shares his personal journey and looks at the challenges some men new to dance might face. I don't really fit…
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Project B teaching case study

Jason Thomas is an RAD Registered Teacher based in Cornwall, UK “I started dancing at the age of 9 in Cornwall, and at the age…
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