First and foremost, Happy New Year to everyone wherever you may be.
As you know, we were fortunate enough to meet the beautiful Brooke Lockett, coryphee with the Australian ballet. We have both admired this magnificent women from the very beginning and were starstruck when we finally got to meet her. Not only was she happy to have a chat but she also agreed to have an online interview with us. Brooke's heart not only lies with the art of ballet but also fashion and photography. She is an inspiration to so many people and we are privileged to have crossed paths with her and made a friend along the way.
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What is your pre-performance routine?
I tend to mix it up a little depending on the demands of my day and the show ahead. Eating and getting a little rest before the show is a must and attending to any personal admin is always a must. I like to get some fresh air and some alone time with my music before heading back into the theatre and preparing for my performance. it’s nice to shed whatever has happened that day and walk into the theatre with a fresh mind. Sitting at my desk doing my hair and makeup is one of my favourite parts of getting ready in the evening. It’s my chance to focus on what I am doing that night and lovely quiet time before warm up and the craziness and excitement right before curtain up.
How do you prepare your pointe shoes?
Firstly, I sew my ribbons and elastics on and cross my fingers that they are a great pair. I like my shoes quite soft and supple so I shave the outer sole and squash them between the door. I mould them with my hands quite a bit and then they are ready to go.
What’s in your dance bags?
Foam roller, Spiky massage ball, blue thera-band, bloch flats, pointe shoes (old and new), skirt, leg warmers, water, Advil, band aids, socks & perfume.
What’s your favourite ballet/role that who have danced or would love to have the opportunity to?
At this point in my career Clara from Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker has been an absolute dream to perform. But I think like most ballerinas Juliet is the dream role. I love to tell a story and I love to go on a journey, both personally and with the audience. Having a connection with someone on stage, they are the rare moments that are indescribable. They are the moments that set your soul on fire. That’s my drug. Addictive.
What is your daily routine with the Australian Ballet?
I start every morning with a ballet class and prior to that I warm up or take a Yoga or Pilates class. Then we go into rehearsals until 3pm and then have a break before heading back into the theatre around 5pm - 5:30pm to prepare for the show. When we are not in a performance season our work day is 10:30am - 6:30pm. This year we have performed just over 200 show’s so as you can imagine we never stop. We are usually rehearsing 2 or 3 ballets through the day and then performing a completely different ballet in the evening. It can all get a little confusing sometimes. haha.
How long have you been apart of the Australian Ballet?
I have been with The Australian Ballet for 9 years but was also an extra and toured with the company a few times during my final two years at The Australian Ballet School. I’m almost vintage. eek!!
What do you do in your spare time?
I have quite a lot of interests outside the world of ballet and a few projects on the side so in the rare spare time I do get I seem to always have emails to return and things to do. Ballet is my first love and always at the forefront of my mind, but I love taking time out at the beach, doing yoga and seeing my friends. I love fashion, writing and photography. I’m an artistic soul with a hyperactive mind but downtime and checking out from the world every now and then is everything.
What make-up do you use for your daily life and performances?
I have a mixture but Napoleon Perdis is mainly what I use. I worked closely with him and was the face of three of his ballet inspired campaigns so maybe I’m a little biased but it’s beautiful and suits my skin perfectly.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are my passion, positivity, energy and ability to communicate. My weaknesses are my stubbornness, expensive taste, not being able to say no, and doubting my ability a little too often.
Since you’re a fashionista what is your favourite piece of clothing in your wardrobe?
This is a hard one. I love dressing up and feeling glamorous and have some fabulous dresses but I also love and live in my ripped denim and a chic T-shirt. I live by the 70-30% theory. 70% Pretty 30% Rock or visa versa. The theory is never 100% of one thing. Style is confidence and knowing what suits you. I like to play around a little.
Thank you Brooke for your contribution and on going support of our blog. We will be forever grateful,
M&M x
As you know, we were fortunate enough to meet the beautiful Brooke Lockett, coryphee with the Australian ballet. We have both admired this magnificent women from the very beginning and were starstruck when we finally got to meet her. Not only was she happy to have a chat but she also agreed to have an online interview with us. Brooke's heart not only lies with the art of ballet but also fashion and photography. She is an inspiration to so many people and we are privileged to have crossed paths with her and made a friend along the way.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your pre-performance routine?
I tend to mix it up a little depending on the demands of my day and the show ahead. Eating and getting a little rest before the show is a must and attending to any personal admin is always a must. I like to get some fresh air and some alone time with my music before heading back into the theatre and preparing for my performance. it’s nice to shed whatever has happened that day and walk into the theatre with a fresh mind. Sitting at my desk doing my hair and makeup is one of my favourite parts of getting ready in the evening. It’s my chance to focus on what I am doing that night and lovely quiet time before warm up and the craziness and excitement right before curtain up.
How do you prepare your pointe shoes?
Firstly, I sew my ribbons and elastics on and cross my fingers that they are a great pair. I like my shoes quite soft and supple so I shave the outer sole and squash them between the door. I mould them with my hands quite a bit and then they are ready to go.
What’s in your dance bags?
Foam roller, Spiky massage ball, blue thera-band, bloch flats, pointe shoes (old and new), skirt, leg warmers, water, Advil, band aids, socks & perfume.
What’s your favourite ballet/role that who have danced or would love to have the opportunity to?
At this point in my career Clara from Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker has been an absolute dream to perform. But I think like most ballerinas Juliet is the dream role. I love to tell a story and I love to go on a journey, both personally and with the audience. Having a connection with someone on stage, they are the rare moments that are indescribable. They are the moments that set your soul on fire. That’s my drug. Addictive.
What is your daily routine with the Australian Ballet?
I start every morning with a ballet class and prior to that I warm up or take a Yoga or Pilates class. Then we go into rehearsals until 3pm and then have a break before heading back into the theatre around 5pm - 5:30pm to prepare for the show. When we are not in a performance season our work day is 10:30am - 6:30pm. This year we have performed just over 200 show’s so as you can imagine we never stop. We are usually rehearsing 2 or 3 ballets through the day and then performing a completely different ballet in the evening. It can all get a little confusing sometimes. haha.
How long have you been apart of the Australian Ballet?
I have been with The Australian Ballet for 9 years but was also an extra and toured with the company a few times during my final two years at The Australian Ballet School. I’m almost vintage. eek!!
What do you do in your spare time?
I have quite a lot of interests outside the world of ballet and a few projects on the side so in the rare spare time I do get I seem to always have emails to return and things to do. Ballet is my first love and always at the forefront of my mind, but I love taking time out at the beach, doing yoga and seeing my friends. I love fashion, writing and photography. I’m an artistic soul with a hyperactive mind but downtime and checking out from the world every now and then is everything.
What make-up do you use for your daily life and performances?
I have a mixture but Napoleon Perdis is mainly what I use. I worked closely with him and was the face of three of his ballet inspired campaigns so maybe I’m a little biased but it’s beautiful and suits my skin perfectly.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are my passion, positivity, energy and ability to communicate. My weaknesses are my stubbornness, expensive taste, not being able to say no, and doubting my ability a little too often.
Since you’re a fashionista what is your favourite piece of clothing in your wardrobe?
This is a hard one. I love dressing up and feeling glamorous and have some fabulous dresses but I also love and live in my ripped denim and a chic T-shirt. I live by the 70-30% theory. 70% Pretty 30% Rock or visa versa. The theory is never 100% of one thing. Style is confidence and knowing what suits you. I like to play around a little.
Thank you Brooke for your contribution and on going support of our blog. We will be forever grateful,
M&M x