Conversations with Megan, featuring Anthony Huxley

Anthony and I have slowly become consistent partners over the last couple of years, and it was so fun to chat with him mid-pandemic about his career and life. He opened up about his previous anxiety to speak in the past, trying to navigate a career as a shorter partner, and how he enjoys passing along his information to the next generation. He is one of the finest technicians I know, yet one of the quietest people I know, and it was a pleasure to get to know more about how he operates as a dancer and person. We spoke a couple days before the 4th of July, and got interrupted by what I later realized were THE fireworks for the holiday! I thought they were just a practice session!

[@judithricca6915]

Megan, you mentioned several weeks ago that you were planning to interview Anthony Huxley so I kept on checking and it happened!! Thank you; it did not disappoint.

[@divedblueocean]

Just watched you and Anthony in Duo Concertant. With just 4 of you on that stage, 2 musicians & 2 dancers, one can really focus on your technique. Both of you are a pleasure to watch! What a treat!

[@divedblueocean]

Thank you for interviewing Anthony Huxley. I look forward to seeing NYCB dancers performing, live, on stage, once again. NYCB's Facebook page has a rehearsal video of you and Anthony. I watch that video quite often.

[@FredCompton]

Megan and Anthony, thank you for taking the time to share your memories and thoughts about your experiences. I really enjoy these interviews. I like to hear about what it's like "behind the curtain" for the dancers. For so many years I've only experienced ballet from the audience and to now hear about the people beyond the performance is very enjoyable.

[@meganfairchild6135]

Yay!!!

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

Shout out Walnut CREEK!! I’m only 25 mins away and I love realizing how so many talented people come from my neck of the woods!

[@cherylkavanagh3387]

Thanks for another great interview, Megan. I know that it is so hard, but hang in there!!

[@5167304]

These interviews are THE BEST!! xo

[@LChonie]

He has such a calm presence! Was so great to learn more about him, I follow the company and didn’t know much. Was very interesting hearing about the teaching perspective from a more introverted teacher. I always imagined that would be more difficult. And omg my oldest is a 10 yr old gymnast and he’s still squirrelly as we call them and just plain cuckoo at times so I totally get it! Much love for having the extra patience for that age group, they need it haha! ❤️

[@deborahmielke620]

Great interview. This artist...worked his technique to where watching him ..he looks effortless seamless and in such control. His use and strength of his plie....omg so incredible. Thank you for this fantastic interview. ✨

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

What a sweetheart. Thanks for another great interview

[@gloriaborriello3976]

LOVE these interviews!! Hope there are more scheduled and that you are monetizing this content! You deserve it!

[@ruthdavidson-schaller2245]

Such a fun interview! Loved learning all about Anthony. What great stories! I wish you could be back in the studios or at least able to enjoy the zoo with your little girl. I hope you can hang in there❤️

[@marymohagheghi4875]

Megan .... I find you so so so intelligent in all areas of life 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💐💐💐💐💐

[@indig0icee]

Such a great interview, guys - thank you!!!

[@Qacc6]

Oh long hair looks good on Anthony! Was happy to see you dance in Ballo. Someone once told me Anthony was so quiet that he never spoke when he was in SAB, and all the boys had dreams about him speaking to them. Sounds like it has some truth lol.

[@transcan1]

Such a good interview! Anthony looks impossibly young to be teaching already. I'm not familiar with him, so off to do some youtube homework. Thanks again for this Megan!

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

That was so interesting! Thank you Megan, and especially Anthony. I have huge respect that he talks about his issues. I had a friend at school who was like that, and what was funny- we really loved to hang out with him, we did the talking and he just sat there and listened. It’s actually very pleasant sometimes when people don‘t talk so much 🤣

[@nicolezly]

Thanks for the interview!!! Hope we can hear from Devin Alberda too - the whole photography journey and being banned to do it.. is he still doing it??

[@marymohagheghi4875]

Megan .... I just watched your rehearsal of allegro with mr Huxley 💖💖💖 I was elated .. this could be a great great partnership ... he has the cleanest purest technique I have seen from a nycb male in a long time ... he matches you so well , I hope this partnership is nourished 💙❤️💚🎉🎉🎉🎉. It could be something special 💞💞💞💞💞💞💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@5167304]

It seems like maybe pre pro school programs should do workshops where girls learn basic men's partnering (on other girls) so they can better understand where they need to be placement-wise and to have a better understanding of how to communicate about partnering. Just a thought. Pas is hard! We know where we need to be but not always where they need us to be etc.

[@meganfairchild6135]

I always dreamed of the same thing!!!

[@clio941]

That would be awesome! And it could be great if men did kind of the same thing to understand girls’ point of view as well.

[@uptownsunni3560]

Fun interview. I've always loved Anthony Huxley's dancing, great to hear him too. Also, I hope you DO interview Sara Leland! I'd love to see that. Wasn't she original cast in Symphony in Three Movements?

[@raquelcolon5785]

I love your Channel I have told you this before. But this interview was so painful to watch. You were doing all the work. I understand some people are just difficult to interview. Thank god you are good at this. You were able to carry him through.

[@running179]

Great interview! Can you interview Gelsey Kirkland?

[@applebee392]

Hey Megan I love your interviews. I saw your how I prep my pointe shoes video and saw you use perfect fit pointe inserts to help with twisting from your tailors bunion which is a problem for me as well. I decided to buy the inserts and I am wondering if you followed the same instructions for it to help with the twisting or did you add any extra putty to fill in the negative space :)?

[@meganfairchild6135]

I totally use the inserts to deal with my tailor's bunions sticking out and twisting my shoes. That is why I love them! I personally don't like much padding, so I don't use any putty on my big and second toes, putting it all on the outer portion of my last three toes to take the pressure off the tailor's bunion. I put the putty on the tips of those toes and underneath, not a ton on top because then it is hard to pointe. Let me know if this helps!

[@geoffreycope1219]

Adult ballet student here. They tell me I have those feet lol. The first time I took class they stopped class and commented on my feet. I was like what's with my feet lol.

[@Qacc6]

The POB filmed a class with three dancers on a bridge. Maybe NYCB could do something of that kind in Central Park..?

[@HuynhVanThanhQuan]

*Megan Fairchild* Good content

[@jessaglenny]

At NYCB is there just one company class? Over this side, the Royal Ballet have, I think, several classes happening every day - different class for different levels and for men / women.

[@meganfairchild6135]

That would be lovely. I have always hoped for that! I'm sure now with this virus, the format will be different and we will spread out into many classes.

[@ellexie2788]

I like these interviews a lot but I feel like maybe Megan could let the interviewees speak more and try not to cut them off so often;-) But overall great interviews!

[@MyKombucha]

39:47 What ballet are they talking about that is so difficult for him?

[@meganfairchild6135]

Justin Peck's Pulcinella Variations. I think there is a clip on Anthony's Instagram. :)

[@MyKombucha]

@@meganfairchild6135

[@alicebray9738]

An interesting interview, but oh my goodness, he (like other NYCB dancers) is so much better looking in person than in the official company headshot used in programs. Ms Fairchild needs to take him to her photographer, who will hopefully do a better job of capturing the real Anthony Huxley.