On Friday 21 October 2022, Phoenix Dance Theatre hosted a Black British Ballet discussion at their main studio in Leeds. Denzil Bailey, former dancer with English National Ballet and Pamela Johnson, one of the first female dancers to join Phoenix Dance Theatre in the 80s, joined Dr Sandie Bourne, PhD of the Black British Ballet project.
During the event, guests had the opportunity to learn more about the panellists’ careers in ballet and contemporary dance. This was followed by an exploration of what barriers remain for black dancers in the British dance industry as a whole and, more importantly, what steps we can take to overcome these.