Stanton Welch and Julie Kent join the Conversations on Dance podcast this week and reflect on nearly three years leading Houston Ballet, praising the dancers’ versatility, focus, and the engaged Houston community, and describing the value of sharing leadership. They discuss how the company’s identity is shaped by having a prolific choreographer as artistic director in Stanton and what they look for in dancers. Looking ahead, they highlight a variety of works still to come this season including Welch’s new 12-minute piece to Mason Bates featuring electronics and live percussion, and they outline how Welch’s Giselle differs musically and dramatically, with expanded characters and staging, while Kent coaches intention and relationships.
For more information on performances still to come this season, visit houstonballet.org.
Houston Ballet 25/27 Season announced here: https://www.houstonballet.org/seasontickets/2026-2027-season-announced/
Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Welcome Back Catch Up
02:14 Partnership Leading Together
03:01 Studio Time And Support
04:21 Choreographic Hub Culture
07:54 Auditions Finding Versatility
13:35 Season Variety Story Ballets
18:44 Programming And Identity
21:39 New Work Alice Topp
25:43 Staging Hazards and Effects
25:57 Avatar as Ballet Pitch
26:22 More Dancers on Stage
27:17 New Work Mason Bates
29:08 Reimagining Giselle
31:32 Coaching Story Over Steps
34:39 Technique vs Artistry Debate
38:12 Season Highlights Dances
39:50 Rehearsal Timing and Stamina
41:21 Next Season Tease and Farewell
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