Lauren Cuthbertson: A Life in Dance
The world of ballet is a captivating one, full of grace, athleticism, and sheer artistry. As a ballerina, I've dedicated my life to this pursuit, pushing my body and mind to their limits to tell stories through movement. I'm Lauren Cuthbertson, and I’ve been dancing since before I could walk, practically, as it were! In many ways, it was always the path for me. The rhythm of dance, the dedication it requires, and the raw emotion you can portray with your body all captivated me from the get-go. Even as a small child, it felt right. My journey has led me through a remarkable ballet landscape, taking me from the halls of The Royal Ballet School to the grand stages of the Royal Opera House, where I’ve had the honor of embodying a spectrum of iconic roles.
From the Stage to the Ballet School
Born in 1984 in North Yorkshire, I always felt a draw towards dance, and when my mum found out there was a dance school nearby she, as all good mothers do, encouraged my innate passion and took me along to the dance classes at the Dance Workshop, a dance school based in York. It wasn't just about the moves though, for me, it was about expression and emotion. When I was six, my parents made a momentous decision. One that was to change my life: to enroll me at The Royal Ballet School. We moved to Richmond so I could train there at their White Lodge, their boarding school, the legendary breeding ground for some of the greatest dancers in the world.
White Lodge: A Ballet Baptism
Moving away from home at the young age of six was an incredibly big leap for me. Leaving behind family and my familiar surroundings, it felt like a major change. But my love for ballet meant it was the perfect environment for me. The atmosphere at White Lodge was incredible - it’s the kind of atmosphere that just draws you into it. Being immersed in such a talented, driven group of dancers meant pushing myself to get better, a relentless cycle of self-improvement I couldn’t escape, though, frankly, never wanted to. Our days were long and rigorous - the kind of days where the physical challenge blends with the technical challenge to keep you constantly striving. But I learned more than just ballet. I learned the dedication and work ethic you need to have to pursue a dance career and, importantly, how to be part of a team.
I was surrounded by brilliant instructors, each bringing their own distinct perspectives, nuances and guidance. They nurtured my love for classical ballet while encouraging experimentation and exploration. At White Lodge, I encountered fellow dancers who were to become life-long friends, who I share to this day, those indelible and special memories from our shared journey. Those are the experiences I will never forget.
Joining The Royal Ballet
After eight incredible years at White Lodge, my training had come full circle and it was time to leave. However, I didn't just leave - I was invited to join The Royal Ballet as an Artist. For me, it felt like the perfect culmination of my childhood and adolescence. I joined a group of the most amazing ballet artists and teachers I had ever come across in the UK, all while being based at the home of classical ballet: The Royal Opera House. A dream realised for many dancers. The opportunity to train, rehearse, and perform with the Royal Ballet is something you don’t forget - it shapes you. To be on that stage with the orchestra playing, the lights shining down on you, is just pure magic. That magical atmosphere and the powerful experience I had from being in front of audiences meant it made an incredible impact on how I danced and moved.
My Early Roles
The early stages of my career saw me tackling diverse roles, each a valuable lesson and each a stepping stone. I began by playing small but pivotal roles, which provided me the essential grounding to fully develop my style and learn to adapt to the rigorous demands of professional ballet. Early roles, from The Little Swans in Swan Lake to the Waltz Girls in “La Sylphide,” gave me an opportunity to grasp the artistry of ballet, each dance having its own character, energy and emotion. It taught me discipline and refined my focus.
Rising Through the Ranks: A Dance Journey of Self-Discovery
From my early beginnings as an Artist, I progressed to First Artist, the second highest level within the company, then became a Soloist. This period was full of growth and self-discovery for me. Every rehearsal, every performance helped refine my technique and shape my performance, and with every move I became more in tune with my own artistry.
It was during this time that I performed lead roles like The Bluebird in “The Sleeping Beauty,” Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet” and my interpretation of Giselle. In 2009 I achieved one of my dreams. That’s right: I became a Principal Dancer. Becoming a principal at just 25 years old was such an accomplishment that brought huge personal satisfaction - that journey and accomplishment shaped me and took me further down a path where I could contribute fully. My approach to dancing really began to grow during this period, where I was fortunate to have so many mentors to help me with this transformation.
My Defining Roles
It’s fair to say, with the benefit of hindsight, that my journey as a dancer has given me a strong identity as a dancer, an identity shaped by the many roles I’ve played. Roles that have helped create a powerful repertoire.
My Role as a Juliet
For many ballerinas, Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" is a significant turning point and it was for me, too. Playing Juliet allowed me to delve into complex emotions and convey a powerful story through dance. Her journey from innocence to tragic love, that journey captivated me, and as I became more comfortable with my body and style, I found myself becoming fully immersed in it. The energy, the physical and technical challenges were rewarding in themselves, but there was always a new layer to unpack about the story. I also really embraced the strength Juliet required - strength both physically and emotionally. In Juliet, I learned so much more about the kind of power that you can draw from.
Becoming the “Other” Swan
The Odile role, in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, was equally as memorable. She embodies a dark, intriguing allure and allowed me to tap into a whole other aspect of my creativity, letting it unfold. The famous Black Swan Pas de Deux - where you perform these fast-paced, powerful, energetic jumps, requiring phenomenal technique and flexibility, always pushed me and my abilities. Her sensual allure and complexity are elements that I've tried to convey as authentically as possible. I always want my dances to be engaging, full of energy and captivating the audience, something that is fundamental to all I’ve learned over the years.
The Enchanting World of “The Sleeping Beauty”
I have also performed the role of Princess Aurora, another defining role that brings together elements of strength and beauty that always captivates. My early career in ballet involved the little swan roles, but now to take on the powerful role of Aurora has been quite a journey.
More Than Just the Steps
To play a role you need to go beyond the steps and movements. For me, dance is all about feeling, a chance to convey emotion and character. This is where the magic of ballet comes in for me. Through ballet, I aim to touch the hearts of audiences, to captivate them with my art form and let the audience become involved in the journey of the dance and feel the emotions within them, all brought about by the character and the narrative that unfolds through movement.
From Dancer to Teacher
Aside from dancing I love being able to share my knowledge. Being able to work with aspiring dancers at a younger age has brought me to the joy of teaching at The Royal Ballet School, The Royal Opera House and at various schools across the globe, which always enriches and challenges me. To help dancers navigate the exciting, daunting, but incredibly rewarding world of ballet brings a whole other kind of satisfaction.
As a teacher I’ve become increasingly more focused on fostering young talent - passing on the incredible experiences and training that I’ve had over the years. I’ve always been fortunate to be surrounded by dancers who’ve shaped who I am as a dancer - now, being able to work with dancers of all backgrounds, to help them refine their style and bring a unique take on these ballet classics - there is nothing more rewarding.
Life After the Stage
After 17 incredible years, the time came to move on to new projects. The stage has been a remarkable backdrop for my life for the best part of two decades - I know I can now enjoy it from a different perspective. It was an honor to have spent these years performing alongside the phenomenal dancers in The Royal Ballet company. This company has allowed me to grow as a dancer, discover the joys of sharing that artistry and passion, and grow in ways I could have never anticipated. The transition will undoubtedly have new chapters for me - but my journey with ballet, that's far from over.