boston ballet

This week we head to Boston, where I'm speaking with Boston Ballet's legendary principal dancer, John Lam. John has the most incredible story: His Vietnamese parents were refugees who settled in the US and John, together with his brother and sister grew up in relative poverty in California. Traditional family values meant education was key in John's family, but he accidentally found dance as a young boy when his daycare offered it as an extra activity. And from there, the love affair began. John went on to train at Canada's National Ballet School, and on graduation was offered a position at the Boston Ballet. In this wondrous and beautiful conversation, John talks about the joys of dance, about finding his sexuality and the moment he came out to his parents. But we also talk about more about navigating race and racism in ballet, about meeting his husband, becoming a dad to their two boys, and John's hopes that his parents will one day see him dance.

We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. @energetiks @energetiksusa

Trigger Warning

This episode discusses ideas around suicide. For help for depression and anxiety, turn to Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au

Talking Points is produced on the lands of the Gadigal and the Wanegal peoples to whom we pay our greatest respects. Talking Points is produced by Fjord Review. Remember to subscribe to get the latest episodes as soon as they're released. If you like us, please leave a five-star review. On the next episode of Talking Points, you'll hear from Dana Stephenson.

Your host and producer is me, Claudia Lawson, with additional production by Penelope Ford and Clint Topic. Sound production and editing is by Martin Peralta at Output Media. For the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com.

Production dream team ✨

Hosted by @byclaudialawson

Produced by @fjordreview

Additional Production @clinttopic

Sound & Editing @outputmedia

Studios @brightsidesydney

@sawtoothstudios

This post is a special digital extra of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley. For our regular airings, listen to WGBH on Sundays at 6 p.m. or subscribe to our podcast!

Laura Young was a dancer with the Boston Ballet for 25 years -- since the beginnings of the company's development. Her dance career, along with the burgeoning arts scene in Boston, is documented in her new memoir, "Boston Ballerina: A Dancer, A Company, An Era," which she wrote alongside Janine Parker. Laura talks to Callie Crossley about how she started dancing, the early stages and growing pains of the Boston Ballet, and what it's like to dance on pointe to some of the most beloved masterpieces of performing arts. Guest: Laura Young, co-author of "Boston Ballerina: A Dancer, A Company, An Era," former ballerina and current educator with the Boston Ballet.

More “Under the Radar with Callie Crossley”: news.wgbh.org/utr

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Follow Callie on Twitter: @CallieCrossley

Boston Ballet costume designer Charles Heightchew talks about how he got into the business, where he gets his inspiration, and his advice for aspiring costume designers.