Ballet
Nouvelles+
20 Questions with Isaac Wright
29 avril 2020
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1. What are the top three activities you have been doing during social distancing?
My top three activities during social distancing have been my daily Pilates/home ballet class, playing Mario Kart and finishing the day with a glass or two of wine.
2. What would you have done as a career if ballet hadn't come your way?
I would say musical theatre but I’m not much of a singer. I have always loved Anthropology and would have liked to study that and see where it took me.
3. Have you ever had an embarrassing moment performance-wise?
This past Fall Season, I had to cover for someone in
Piano Concerto #1 due to an injury. I got confused during one of the sections and ended up centre stage by myself staring at the audience for what felt like forever but was probably only a few seconds before rejoining the rest of the group. Surprisingly, I haven’t fallen... yet.
4. What is your work philosophy?
I have always believed that hard work is the key to success. A dancer’s career is short so it’s important to show up every day, work hard and do the best you can. You owe that to everyone else in the studio, no matter what part you’re doing.
5. How do you handle criticism?
I always try to take the criticism I receive and better myself and my dancing with it. Sometimes it’s hard to hear but it can build strength and confidence inside and out.
6. Favorite colour and least favorite colour?
Favourite is green. Least favourite is orange.
7. What's your definition of a successful ballet dancer?
I truly believe there are no small parts in any production. Everyone is there to help tell a story. I think people who’re able to use their artistry to move an audience, tell a story or just make you believe in the magic of dance is a successful ballet dancer.
8. What’s the worst thing about being a dancer and what’s the best?
The best thing about being a dancer is performing. Being able to go onstage in front of a live audience and just dance is truly an amazing feeling. I would say the worst part is how critical and hard on ourselves we can be. Dancers are perfectionists and will usually dwell on one little mistake rather than the overall performance and it’s a hard thing to change.
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9. What's your guilty pleasure song that'll make you rock out no matter where you are?
Fancy by Reba McEntire!
10. What are three random things most people don't know about you?
- I have a cat named Charlie.
- I started tap dancing before taking ballet lessons as a kid.
- I’ve performed in all 10 provinces in Canada.
11. What was the last thing you changed your mind about?
I thought about buzzing my hair but decided not to.
12. What cheers you up on an off day?
Coming home to my partner, Shane, and our cat.
13. Do you have any bad habits that you're working on breaking?
I’m trying to use my phone less and spend less time on Instagram and Facebook.
14. What is your favorite memory of being onstage?
I would say dancing Petite Mort this past November. It was one of my first mixed programmes with The National Ballet of Canada and my first pas de deux onstage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. That was a really special moment.
15. Favorite ballet?
Giselle. Dancing Albrecht has always been a dream of mine.
16. What's the biggest risk you've taken, either personally or in your career?
I spent a year freelancing which allowed me to do a few projects as well as dance with the National Ballet. This was when I was offered a Corps de Ballet contract with the company, so the risk of freelancing paid off for me and I couldn’t be happier with that decision.
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17. When are you most proud of yourself?
There have been a few times where I have been thrown into something last minute due to injury or other circumstances and was able to help put on the show. I’m always proud of being reliable in those situations.
18. Tell us about an awe-inspiring thing you've seen or experienced.
Just being in the studios with such incredible artists and people is awe-inspiring. I’ve been watching some of these people perform since I was a kid and to be onstage and dancing with them is just incredible. A childhood dream come true.
19. Do you have a favourite quote?
“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” - Sigmund Freud
20. Finally, what is the top item on your bucket list?
There are a lot of things on my bucket list but I’ve always dreamed of performing at the
Royal Opera House in London.
Learn More About Isaac
