#sparkchamber 041221 — Emma Lister

Doubling down on creative energy, #sparkchamber welcomes dance podcaster, Emma Lister. Originally from Canada, Emma trained at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, performing many of the full-length classics, along with repertoire by George Balanchine, Hans Van Manen, Mark Godden and John Neumeier.

She moved to the UK 20 years ago, dancing with English National Ballet, the National Ballet of Ireland, and the English Youth Ballet. She was a principal artist for 10 years, dancing all the major classical ballet leads [Giselle, Swan Lake, Nutcracker …]. Her guesting work has taken her from Alaska to Buckingham Palace, Bermuda, Malta, and Lapland. Emma also worked as a rehearsal director/choreographic assistant, and an artistic coordinator before she semi-retired from the full-time dance world to take on two other worlds.

In collaboration with circus artist Sakari Männistö, she runs a small theatre company called Makeshift Company. With decades of creative experience and knowledge between them, Emma and Sakari tell stories through dance, circus, and a broad range of collaborations from the performing and visual arts.

Emma also produces and hosts MOVERS SHAKERS MAKERS, a podcast that draws back the curtain on the inventive mind through interviews with performers, choreographers, designers, and other artists. Not unlike the intention of #sparkchamber, Emma is looking to find what makes creative people tick, how they find and develop their inspiration. [Great minds!!] The podcast is inspiring, insightful, and thought-provoking as Emma gives space to hear how various artists create, think, and work. Definitely worth the listen!

1.] Where do ideas come from?

Time and experience

2.] What is the itch you are scratching?

After being a silent ballet dancer for most of my life, once I started talking, I can’t stop. Trying to give other artists a voice too.

3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?

I’m a slow-burn worker. I mull things for a long time and then can act decisively when the time comes.

4.] How do you know when you are done?

Deadlines and when I’m getting bored of something.