Building a National Dance Company:
A Conversation with Janek Schergen,
Artistic Director of the Singapore Dance Theatre
May 24, 2019 | Episode #29
SINGAPORE -- In Episode #29 of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Janek Schergen about how to build a national dance company. Schergen is the Artistic Director of the Singapore Dance Theatre. The dance company performs classical, neo-classical and contemporary ballets, including a number of world premieres. The company also produces a variety of educational and outreach programs.
One key to building a successful performing arts organization is vision and long-term planning. As Schergen describes in the interview, the unique identity of the Singapore Dance Theatre is something that has been consciously developed over a long period of time. Schergen also discusses the unique and valuable roles dancers, choreographers, board members, donors, professional staff and many additional people play in building a successful performing arts organization.
The lessons Schergen discusses are ones leaders of a variety of nonprofit, cultural and service organizations will appreciate.
Update: The Singapore Dance Theatre was renamed the Singapore Ballet December 10, 2021.
To learn more about the Singapore Ballet, please click here.
