In the world of ballet, challenges, like difficult dance moves, should be overcome with grace. For Joel Burke, Artistic Director of Ballet International Gala (BIG), the COVID-19 pandemic and climate events like Cyclone Alfred presented obstacles that would have deterred many, but instead became the unlikely foundation for one of Australia’s most remarkable dance success stories, based in Brisbane.
“Our first show sold 6000 tickets,” Burke recalls with modest pride. “By our Nutcracker production, we were selling out everywhere. In Melbourne, 12,500 tickets were gone in four days.”
