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Dance Mogul: You trained at The Royal Ballet School and later transitioned into Musical Theatre—what inner mindset or belief allowed you to evolve without losing your artistic identity?
Laura: Before I trained at The Royal Ballet, I was brought up learning many styles of dance, and I would say my performance quality always lent itself to Musical Theatre. Although I am so grateful for the training I received from RBS, I never felt like my fullest, most authentic self when performing, as I moved into Musical Theatre, it really felt like the correct path for me. Although the training style was different, I enjoyed the adjustment!
Dance Mogul: After a decade-long performance career across stages like Cirque du Soleil, West End touring productions, and royal performances, how did your definition of “success” shift over time?
Laura: It’s very easy to set your own goals based on what you are seeing around you. Being on the West End was always my goal at college because that’s what everyone else was striving for. When I took my first job in Chicago, the Musical on Royal Caribbean, I was unsure if it was “enough.” Looking back, I was 18 years old, freshly graduated, and performing with Broadway veterans; it was a huge achievement. My dream was always Cirque du Soleil. When I achieved that, I felt a level of success, yes, but also a huge amount of pressure to live up to my own expectations. It was a grueling process to go through, as a Principle Artist for a world-renowned company. Again, I wish I had felt “success” when I was living it. Now that I am older, I strive to feel proud whilst I’m working, rather than constantly worrying that I am not living up to my “dream”, being able to do the thing I am so passionate about is success in itself, and I do my best to remember it!
Dance Mogul: You’ve served in leadership roles such as Dance Captain and Swing—how did those responsibilities shape your confidence, discipline, and ability to lead others both on and offstage?
Laura: Being a swing on the National Tour of “Grease” is one of my proudest moments. Being a swing is a huge responsibility and a completely different skill set from an ensemble member or principle because it requires a brain that can switch roles with seconds’ notice. As Dance Captain on that tour, it was also my responsibility to reblock the show when anyone was injured or ill. Making mistakes is part of humanity, and learning from them is what allows us to grow. Each time I successfully reblocked a show, it assured me that I am capable, and I have taken that with me into my career as an educator.
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Dance Mogul: Performing for Queen Elizabeth II and at iconic venues like The Royal Opera House are career-defining moments—what grounded you emotionally and spiritually while standing on such historic stages?
Laura: I am from a huge working-class family, we live in a small town in the North of England, and they are the most supportive people, but also would never let me be anything other than humble. I have tried to continue finding people like them to surround myself with, people who appreciate that art matters but who also see that there is so much more to value than being on stage; kindness, empathy, compassion – these things have always been much more important to me than a role or title. It is about sharing what I love to create, not about how it’s received.
Dance Mogul: What were some personal sacrifices you had to make during your performance career, and how did they ultimately prepare you for life beyond the spotlight?
Laura: Working on tour and on cruise ships meant I was always so far from home, away from the family I love so much. I am so lucky to have people who push me to go, who want me to succeed, and who have sacrificed so much for me to achieve success.
Dance Mogul: As a performer who worked across ballet, musical theatre, aerial, and aquatic performance, how important is versatility in sustaining a long-term career in today’s dance industry?
Laura: I believe it is the reason I have achieved everything I hoped. If you can be the performer that can do anything, be wherever they are asked to be, deliver what is expected and beyond, these are traits that will give you longevity. Yes, it’s amazing to be talented and audition well, but it’s more important to be a valuable cast member, someone who can be relied on. Train in everything and say yes to as much as you can; opportunities are always there if you’re willing to work hard and continue learning!
Dance Mogul: What moment made you realize it was time to transition from performing to educating—and how did you navigate that identity shift?
Laura: I was extremely lucky; I received the offer for Grease right before COVID hit, and we went into lockdown. The producers of this show were fantastic at keeping us in the loop and promised the tour would go ahead when restrictions lifted. During lockdown, I started Mission: Inspire, a dance company with the initiative to allow young artists to grow in a safe space that wasn’t extortionately priced for the parents who were struggling with loss of jobs due to the pandemic. I offered a free ballet class every day and two free open classes every week, and the company just grew. I still can’t believe it. During this time, I fell in love with teaching. I knew that the tour would be my last, and I could say goodbye to performing feeling completely ready for the new chapter without regrets.
Dance Mogul: MISSION: INSPIRE is rooted in cultivating talent within a safe and nurturing environment—why is emotional safety just as vital as technical excellence in training the next generation?
Laura: The Royal Ballet is an institution for excellence, and with that comes extreme discipline and a grueling schedule. No part of me wishes I did not train there; it gave me an incredibly strong technical foundation that has seen me through my career, but it did alter my self-belief, and I have had to work on confidence and negative self-talk every day of my adult life. I believe it is important to verbally empower young artists, to outwardly encourage them to believe in themselves. I expect hard work and determination from my students, but I believe that should come from their want to achieve, not from an external source.
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Dance Mogul: What lessons from your professional career do you intentionally pass on to your students that aren’t taught in traditional training institutions?
Laura: I constantly encourage kindness and compassion for your peers. This is not a competition, and somebody else’s greatness does not make you any less special. We are all here to offer something to the world, and our uniqueness is what makes us beautiful and employable. I try to create an atmosphere of support for others in and outside of my classes.
Dance Mogul: For young dancers striving for elite careers, what advice would you give about trusting their individual journey while honoring the discipline required at the highest level?
Laura: Exactly that, it’s about trusting that what is meant for you will always find you. It may feel frustrating, it may feel like your time is never coming, but it is if you work for it. Remain steadfastly who you are and keep pushing yourself, never stop learning, never stop training, and always be respectful of those around you.