Ballet
Nouvelles+
20 Questions with First Soloist Donald Thom
28 septembre 2021
Donald Thom. Photo par Karolina Kuras.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to chill at home with my dog.
What would you have done as a career if you hadn’t pursued ballet?
Dance would have 100% been in the picture, just another style.
Have you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage?
Too many to count and I kind of love it when they happen. My worst was slipping a distance of about 5 feet on dry ice and getting my leg stuck up to the thigh in a set piece while the entire cast watched (laughing) from above while I got engulfed in the smoke. Again, I found it pretty hilarious.
What's your definition of a successful ballet dancer?
I can only define what I think success is for myself, and during our recent shows at Harbourfront Centre I had a full moment on stage where I realized that I’m really living my lifelong dream, and that the child version of myself could never have imagined how far the dream has stretched. I think that is very successful.
Donald Thom in Company Class. Photo par Karolina Kuras.
What’s the best thing about being a dancer?
Discovering new things about yourself, your body, and your physical and mental limits every day.
What’s the worst?
It doesn't last forever.
What music are you listening to right now?
Kacey Musgraves.
What are three things most people don't know about you?
- 1I think lettuce is a useless vegetable.
- 2I don’t like hot drinks (even in the winter).
- 3I love winter (and cold drinks).
What was the last thing you changed your mind about?
I change my mind constantly about everything.
What cheers you up on an off day?
A nice long bath.
Do you have any bad habits that you're working on breaking?
So many.
What is your favourite onstage memory?
I have so many! Dancing in Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody at The Bolshoi Theatre was definitely awesome.
What is your favourite ballet?
A Month in the Country by Frederick Ashton.
Donald Thom. Photo par Karolina Kuras.
What's the biggest risk you've taken, either personally or in your career?
Going for a triple when the choreographer asked for a double.
Where would you like to travel, but haven’t yet?
I really want to take a road trip to Newfoundland to see Iceberg Alley.
If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be?
Snap Bracelets.
Adage or Allegro?
Turns. Only to the right please.
What is your perfect meal?
Oysters Rockefeller.
Donald Thom in The Nutcracker. Photo par Karolina Kuras.
Which of your costumes have you really fallen in love with?
I love the costume Uncle Nikolai wears in Act II of James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker. I feel like a million bucks in it.
What sport would you compete in if you could go to the Olympics?
100% Ice Dancing. I wouldn’t be interested in nailing the “elements” in regular figure skating, I’d just want to bring the DRAMA to the ice.
Learn more about Donald
