From Student to Star is an exclusive Ballet News interview series featuring graduates from vocational ballet schools – such as The Royal Ballet School – as they begin their professional careers.
Ariana Allen has graduated from The Royal Ballet School and joins Birmingham Royal Ballet/BRB2.
You’ve been studying at The Royal Ballet School. When did you join the School and what made you decide to train there ?
I joined the Royal Ballet School (RBS) as a Junior Associate (JA) in year six after my ballet teacher at the time suggested I audition for it. I didn’t plan on doing the full-time White Lodge route, I had gotten into grammar school and had only applied for the Mid-Associate programme, but after seeing me at the Mid-Associate audition the school asked me to attend the final audition for White Lodge. I was then offered a place. It was the best surprise, as I knew even then all I really wanted was to be a ballerina.
Prior to joining RBS, where did you train, and how early did you start ballet ?
I started ballet when I was eight, at CentreStage Theatre School in Milton Keynes, where I grew up. My teacher was Jacqueline Addis, the most lovely lady, and I just loved it. I had been doing ballet for just 45 minutes a week with her before she noticed something in me and encouraged me to audition for JA’s. I really do have her to thank for my career.
What do you think are the important things to focus on during training if you want to become a professional ballet dancer ?
In order to become a professional ballet dancer, it’s crucial to give your best effort in everything you do, in every class and rehearsal. Don’t settle, keep moving forward.
But most importantly, believe in yourself, because ballet is difficult and there are many people with many different opinions. Don’t let one person’s opinion of you, one teacher’s opinion of you, one choreographer’s or director’s opinion of you make you feel bad about yourself or kill your passion. If you keep going, your time will come, and if one person doesn’t like/cast/ invest in you, someone else will.
It’s also not a reflection of you as a dancer. There have been many great dancers who didn’t get the recognition they deserved, as well as cases of excessive favouritism where a dancer would be pushed and given everything. Don’t let it distract you. It doesn’t matter in the end.
Keep working on yourself and stay focused on that no matter what’s going on around you.
Have you entered any competitions during your training and if so, which ones, and what would you say about your experiences ?
The RBS don’t let their students compete in competitions, so I’m afraid I haven’t experienced one before.
Any tips on auditioning/assessments ?
Auditioning and assessments can be very tough. You have to find your “zone” to stay calm and positive. I would simply say, go for it, and don’t hold back. You’ve done the work and the preparation, now let go and give it what you’ve got.
You’ve accepted a contract with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Congratulations ! Take us through the process of getting the contract and when do you start work?
Thank you! I was offered the contract by Carlos Acosta after he came to watch all the Pre-Professionals before the Christmas break. We had the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Royal Ballet, Zurich Ballet and American Ballet Theatre Studio Company come to watch/audition us on this day.
Those of us who were offered contracts with BRB and RB were told a few days later, where I had a Zoom meeting with Carlos. He was so lovely and supportive, and I was thrilled and so grateful. I can’t wait to start; the season begins on the 7th August.
What do you know about the Company & have you spent much time with them during school ?
I’ve seen the company perform in London numerous times throughout my training, and in fact I attended JA’s in Birmingham, so it’s quite a full circle moment!
Over the Christmas period, the others in my year who were also offered a contract had been working with the company in Birmingham, while I had been with the RB in London, so I didn’t get to experience what it’s like working with them over there. However from what I’ve seen, I think all the dancers look incredibly strong, beautifully artistic and Carlos is doing amazing things moving forward. They all look so happy and passionate also – I think the company has a lovely energy, which is wonderful and so important.
From Student To Star | What are you looking forward to about joining the Company ?
I’m so excited to perform more, to tour, to be pushed and dance more than ever before. To dance new repertoire and improve myself as a dancer. Especially with the new BRB2, I can’t wait for more solo and pas de deux opportunities. I just want to grow as much as possible and enjoy the stage. That’s what I love and what I hope I will achieve in BRB.
How do you think company life will differ from your student days?
Time at school primarily focuses on training rather than performing. In a company, the shows are the primary focus, which means most time and energy will go into them and into the rehearsals. Of course, touring will be a new thing, as well as the longer nights from the shows.
What do you hope to bring to the company?
I hope to be a joyful and expressive asset to the company and its performances. I hope to be considered a dedicated and passionate dancer who can get the job done, but most of all I hope to give as much artistry into the roles I perform. My aim is always for the audience to enjoy my dancing.
How are you preparing yourself for your first professional contract?
At the moment I’m just keeping active, recovering and enjoying my holiday before sorting everything out to move to Birmingham, making sure I’m as prepared as possible.
What are you your best achievements as a student?
I feel my biggest achievement is in who I’ve become: What I’ve fought through and overcome, succeeding the eight years, being offered professional contracts, transforming myself into the dancer I want to be in mind and body.
Why ballet?
I’ve always wanted to be a ballerina. It’s hard to explain – it’s just what I always felt called to, what I always knew deep down I needed to do. The grace, mix of athleticism and artistic expression, the beautiful movement and challenge of always bettering yourself…I just love it, and always have.
How do you pick yourself up on the days when things aren’t going so well?
When things don’t go so well I try to be kind to myself – beating yourself up and getting yourself into a state is a lot easier than trying to handle challenges with a rational perspective. I give myself a break and then try to move forward. I also talk to family and friends, I think that’s very important.
Do you have a dream role and/or dance partner and if so what/who are they?
My dream role is one of the characters from the Macmillan ballets – Juliet, Mary Vetsera in Mayerling, Manon. Expressive choreography combined with powerful emotion.
What would you say to students entering their graduate year ?
Stay focused, but try not to stress too much. What’s meant to be will be, everything happens for a reason. Just do your best, trust in all the work you’ve put in so far, and smile!
Where would you like to be this time next year and how will you measure your progress over the year?
This time next year I hope to have improved a lot! I will certainly put the work in, and I like to film myself dancing to track my progress and correct myself.
