(478) The new documentary film "About Face: Disrupting Ballet" with Jennifer Lin and Cory Stieg

(478) The new documentary film "About Face: Disrupting Ballet" with Jennifer Lin and Cory Stieg

Author: Michael Sean Breeden & Rebecca King Ferraro January 28, 2026 Duration: 42:52

Today on "Conversations On Dance", our episode centers on the new documentary film "About Face: Disrupting Ballet", which follows two asian dancers, Phil Chan and Georgina Pazcougin, in their effort to eliminate racial stereotypes pervasive in ballet performances across the world. Director/Producer Jennifer Lin and Producer Cory Stieg join us to talk about their personal experiences with racial caricatures in dance, how their initial introduction to Phil and Gina led to the idea for the film, and the work they do and the film itself will be a catalyst for change in the dance world. "About Face" will be the spotlight feature of the closing night of the Dance On Camera Festival, this February 8th at Symphony Space in New York City. 


Follow updates on the film on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboutface_film/


Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance


SPONSOR:

Get audition ready with The Royal Ballet School’s new bundle of online audition classes. Whether you are auditioning for entry into The Royal Ballet School or seeking insights into general audition preparation to conquer those nerves, this brand-new series of online classes is the perfect tool for you. From artistic expression and musicality to improving your strength and flexibility, these classes will help you feel confident for whenever and wherever you audition. To get started go to ondemand.royalballetschool.org.uk 

Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement.


Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance


Website: conversationsondancepod.com

Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b

Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


For anyone who has ever watched a performance and wondered about the life that happens in the wings, Conversations on Dance offers a rare and thoughtful backstage pass. Hosted by former Miami City Ballet dancers Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden, this award-winning podcast builds on a simple, powerful premise: the most compelling stories in dance aren't always told under the lights. Since 2016, their interviews have provided an essential, grounded look at the art form, moving far beyond reviews or technique to explore the real human endeavors behind the curtain. Each episode is a deep, considered dialogue with the field's most influential voices-not only dancers and choreographers, but also the musicians, directors, and educators whose work shapes the entire ecosystem. Listening feels like pulling up a chair in a studio lounge, where the conversation might cover the gritty reality of a choreographer's creative process, the collaborative tension with a composer, or an educator's philosophy on cultivating the next generation. The hosts' own professional backgrounds inform a dialogue that is both knowledgeable and genuinely curious, fostering connections between the art and its audience. This podcast consistently uncovers the discipline, vulnerability, and sheer hard work that define a life in dance, making the vast world of performance feel intimately accessible. It’s for the dedicated student, the lifelong enthusiast, and the simply curious-anyone who believes understanding the struggle and joy behind the steps only deepens the appreciation of the final, fleeting bow.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Conversations on Dance
Podcast Episodes
(474) Alastair Macaulay on Suzanne Farrell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:02
Today on Conversations on Dance, we welcome back a listener favorite and our friend, Alastair Macaulay, former Chief Dance Critic for the New York Times. This past week, on Friday November 14th, Alastair hosted an event…
(473) "The Sky Was On Fire" - Ballet and War in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:56
Today on Conversations on Dance, we hear about a new documentary film about ballet and war in Ukraine, "The Sky Was On Fire." We are joined by the film's Producer Julie Meyer and EP/DP Michael Murray. Julie and Michael t…
(471) LIVE from Miami City Ballet with Justin Peck and Gonzalo Garcia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:12
This episode was recorded live on October 18, 2025 at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami before the opening of Miami City Ballet's 40th anniversary season. Guests in this episode are is Tony Award…