Conversations with Megan, featuring Lucien Postlewaite

Lucien's story is for the young student and dancer who is feeling like their journey is not taking them where they hoped to go. Our dreams are not always our destiny and his story is the perfect example of learning to let the universe guide you to where you are truly meant to be! Lucien is a principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, but I met him 20 years ago at my first SAB summer course, and we quickly became best friends. Our ballet careers took us in different directions and we reflect for the first time on the separation of our friendship to different sides of the country. I am so proud of his journey, where his talent has taken him, and so happy to reconnect with someone who I think of so fondly. So much to learn from this thoughtful and talented man.

[@barbaraparisi4094]

Yay, another interview!!!! I applaud you for that with having the brain space to put this together with newborn twins and a toddler! Looking forward to it!

[@uptownsunni3560]

What a wonderful conversation! I was blown away when Megan talked about realizing that other dancers' success didn't diminish her, or change her path to fully realizing her own talent and skill. I think that is a most important lesson that helps with our development. Some people never learn it (world leaders included, unfortunately!). The image of everyone being in their own lane in a swimming pool brought tears to my eyes. Just one of many enlightening moments in the conversation. Thank you so much @MeganFairchild !!

[@meganfairchild6135]

So glad it resonates with you too!!! I felt so free once I realized this.

[@bettymaines6305]

I must say, losing his apprenticeship seems so harsh. At the time , he was a kid, and for one night of irresponsibility the company impacting his entire future. ( In light of the “ crap” that has happened in NYC ballet in recent years , this is not on the meter, and two of the offenders were allowed to stay in the company !). This breaks my heart for him. So glad he weathered the storm

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Yes!!! Do a part 2. And then interview Peter Boal afterwards.

[@melodyleong]

Thank you for doing all these interviews. Thank you to both you and Lucien (and also all the other people interviewed) for being so honest as well. It sounds silly saying this but despite this being Covid times, I almost feel like I am getting to know so many dancers so much better (than just watching a show, though I miss watching ballets live).

[@kristiLB93]

Wow, what a great interview. What a lovely, LOVELY guy!

[@tracywang3045]

So happy to watch this! Lucien is a such a beautiful dancer at PNB! Please interview more of PNB dancers! Love them!

[@tamberjune]

Missed you Megan and nice to meet Lucien and hear his story and we learn more about you as well, each time (:

[@barbaraparisi4094]

What a great and inspirational interview! Thank you.

[@a.phillips6892]

These interviews are gold, simply put. So many points are covered. Dancers are the most interesting people in the world to me, and all the facets of their lives, which are many. Megan, you know all the great questions to ask, and the answers are often surprising. So enjoyable, thank you!💕

[@davidburke324]

I selfishly wanted more of these interviews they are so fascinating and fun!

[@bettymaines6305]

Can’t believe I missed this earlier and just now stumbled onto this. I loved your “talk show”. For your “second career “ you are a great fit for a PBS talk show with a focus on ballet and it’s dancers. Just not anytime soon , I am looking forward to seeing you dance in person again

[@PaulinaValenzuelaMunoz]

I love your conversations!!! It's been really great to know how dancers approach their work, career paths, struggles and success.They have been so educational and enlightening. And I'm an architect! Greetings from Chile!! 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱

[@rezashayesteh9718]

Always a pleasure to here you from you megan!

[@aliceswu22]

Hi Megan! You're such a talented interviewer, and I'd love if you could chat with Silas Farley. He's walked in a unique direction and seems to have a remarkably strong sense of self-awareness.

[@judithricca6915]

Megan, another great interview. It is obvious that you and Lucien are good friends and that you are comfortable together and can just chat;, nothing is forced on so many topics from dance to kombucha.

[@LChonie]

Amazing interview!! The flow of your conversation kept coming back to “perspective” whether in times of difficulty, happiness, all the various points in your careers, and I think for you both has played a huge role in your success. The mental game you have to navigate is just as critical as the steps themselves. I learned a lot from this one for sure, thank you both!! ❤️

[@a.phillips6892]

Well said!

[@E-Beth]

Still loving these videos so much! You should interview your brother and/or have him interview you! Hope your babies are well!

[@a.phillips6892]

Yes, please, an interview with Robbie!

[@evaandreamarina]

Great insights, loved to hear Lucien discussing how he has used his Balanchine training but learned to work with a sense of abandon and release as well, I find it fascinating when dancers discuss how they hone and evolve their craft and physicality and what they have learned along the way. I bet these insights would have been harder for Lucien to come by had he had a straight arrow journey through to NYCB. I find it wonderful to hear and learn about technical aspects of dancing.

[@a.phillips6892]

I do too! Fascinating…

[@viktorianagy964]

I love your conversations :) they are not interviews, in the best possible way :)

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Yay another one!!!

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Ballet Masters/Mistresses? Bring John Clifford back!

[@balletktmc]

I loved this:) Lucien spent a good portion of the interview asking questions of Megan, almost like he didn’t want to spend too much time talking about himself. He just seemed like such a kind and humble person. My heart broke for him at the beginning. The school’s protocol sounds rather harsh and a little arbitrary (from 2 weeks to 5 months!). Also, for him to finally come back and then just be brushed aside. It would have been much kinder for them to let him know rather than give false hope-actually, kind of cruel:(

[@meganfairchild6135]

Isn’t he special? Love him to death. Looking back on the situation, from SAB’s perspective, they are entrusted by our parents to watch over us in that dorm as we live underage in the middle of NYC. That’s a lot of responsibility and the protocol is to discourage behavior that would put us in danger. And I don’t think the company planned on not rehiring him. Just a really unfortunate situation. But what I love is that he made the best out of it, finding possibly even more success than if he stayed. He’s pretty incredible. 💕

[@balletktmc]

@@meganfairchild6135 thanks for your further insight :)

[@brbwlk]

Wow!

[@karenkaren3189]

Can you get a suggestion to Justin Peck or Lauren Lovett? Choreograph to Steely Dan’s Boddhisavtta It would be a bravura piece

[@krystalannawilliams2653]

'99

[@jessaglenny]

But wait a minute ... You can't be an apprentice and go out drinking? ... And if you do you get sent home for five months? What kind of pastoral care is that?

[@PoisonedApathy]

I guess it must be because they're underage. SAB is a boarding school, so I'm sure there are certain rules that apply when it comes to teenagers and alcohol consumption. I'm just guessing though.

[@xy2565]

They were underage

[@meganfairchild6135]

Yes the replies are correct. So being part of a high school dormitory, you obviously have to follow certain rules. As this was underage drinking SAB followed protocol. At that time for getting caught drinking the first time in the dorms you were suspended for 2 weeks, second offense was 5 months. Unfortunately for Lucien by the time he came back, the company had different hiring needs.

[@ktw70]

Exactly. He was underage, as others have said, but the punishment was still too harsh. And folks higher in the food chain have gotten away with worse...

[@Emptynestballerina1]

Do you support Tyler peck even though she’s against gay marriage.