Standard Issue Podcast
Nicky Anderson is Dancing With Shadows
Published: 17 March 2025 at 03:00 UTC
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Episode notes
Investigative journalist and head of narrative at Stak, Nicky Anderson has been a ballet nut since she was a kid. And the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine? For many, it’s ballet at its pinnacle. But at what cost?
In her new seven-part podcast series, Dancing With Shadows, Nicky explores the history of the New York City Ballet and its influence, with a focus on the dark side of the company and the culture and legacy created and left by Balanchine.
Mick got her on the Zoom to talk about this deep dive into a sport-slash-art form renowned for demanding absolute sacrifice from its young, predominantly female, dancers and for being a very closed institution, how it shines a light on abuse sort of becoming par for the course, and the perils of genius.
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