You would possibly keep in mind Anthony Madu from a video that went viral in June 2020. Shared to thousands and thousands on Instagram and X (previously Twitter) by celebrities like Viola Davis and Cynthia Erivo, the video captured an 11-year-old Madu dancing barefoot and within the rain on a backstreet of Nigeria—and even then, the weather couldn’t dampen his lofty ballon.
Quickly, thousands and thousands extra will get a glimpse of not simply Madu’s expertise however his story, which, at current, is unfolding at one in every of England’s most prestigious coaching grounds for dance: Elmhurst Ballet Faculty.
Coming to Disney+ on March 29, Madu follows the younger dancer’s journey from Lagos to Birmingham, and the highs and lows of settling into the rigorous dance courses, teachers, and social life at Elmhurst. We caught up with the star of the movie about shifting away from his household, his profession aspirations, and what he hopes different dancers take away from the documentary.
Let’s return to when it began: that viral video. What impressed you to movie it?
I truly wasn’t the one who filmed it; my previous dance trainer [Daniel Ajala] did. I wasn’t meant to be in school that day. I simply took class as a result of I used to be bored. My trainer determined to movie it, and he posted it on Instagram and growth!
And that second has catapulted you to a special nation. What has the expertise of shifting and dwelling overseas been like?
Once I first moved to England, it felt wonderful, but additionally, on the similar time, it was a bit exhausting due to the change of climate, lacking house, and the meals, and that form of factor. However I feel I’ve truly gotten used to issues right here.
Are you able to discuss a bit bit about your early ballet coaching?
Once I began taking ballet at [Leap of Dance Academy], I used to take class on Saturdays, simply within the mornings. However as time went on, I began taking class a bit extra in the course of the week and after faculty. And on weekends, I’d prepare from 8 am to round 5 pm. It was form of exhausting as a result of it’s actually sunny in Nigeria, however I feel it was very price it.
Throughout your coaching in Nigeria and now in England, have you ever encountered damaging attitudes round being a male-identifying dancer?
I don’t take care of that at the moment as a result of we’ve received extra male ballet dancers right here than again in Nigeria, which has been actually good for me. Once I was in Nigeria, I form of felt bullied for doing ballet. It wasn’t actually seen as one thing {that a} man ought to be doing.
For these dancers who’re coping with that very same kind of hurt and others who’re merely dreaming of pursuing careers in dance, what do you hope they take away from watching this movie?
That they need to by no means quit. They must overlook in regards to the negativity, suppose extra about how far they wish to go, and at all times do not forget that it doesn’t actually matter what individuals say; it simply issues what you do and the way you do it.
Are there any dancers who’ve been a supply of inspiration in your ballet journey?
Once I was coaching in Nigeria, I appeared as much as [American Ballet Theatre’s] Calvin Royal III. It was good having somebody you could possibly look as much as and take a look at them and be like, “I wish to be like that sometime.” However right this moment—and I’m not saying this as a result of he’s my present ballet trainer—I’d say [Joshua Barwick]. He’s diligent, form, and he needs to know [his students]. He talks to us.
What’s subsequent for you?
This can be a exhausting one. The movie has introduced up various thought for me. I may stick with classical ballet fully, however I’m additionally all for up to date dance. Once I got here to Elmhurst, the place we take up to date classes each week, it felt like discovering a brand new factor that you simply love. And I feel that’s among the finest components of life, is to appreciate issues that you simply by no means actually thought would have occurred. I like up to date since you get to do extra motion than you do with ballet. You get to strive a great deal of bizarre stuff. I’m additionally all for shifting into appearing.
It appears you’ve been bitten by the cinematic bug. How was your expertise filming?
The digital camera crew and the inventive group had been wonderful. At first, [filming] felt a bit bizarre, however then I received used to it. I lately watched the movie with the entire faculty, and I truly thought it was fairly good. I cried a bit at one scene—it was after I was leaving my household in Nigeria to come back to the UK. It felt like the sensation of leaving my household got here again. Throughout the finish credit, there have been 5 minutes of applause. I wasn’t anticipating that many individuals to get pleasure from it as a lot as they did, which made me cry once more. It was actually thrilling.
