Spotlight On Aaron Smythe

WORDS: Marissa Burgess PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

I turned from Bundall Road onto Ashmore Road and distracted by a spectacular man on the sidewalk, I had to tap my brakes and check myself in the traffic. 

Not that the Gold Coast is short of fit, young guys, and not that I was overtly ogling either, but this fellow had some serious “X Factor”. 

He exuded understated poise, confidence and other-worldliness about him as he glided down the road in a loose-fitting shirt.

You see, it’s not every day you see a star of the ballet world walking around Bundall!

Aaron Smythe is indeed a successful Gold Coast export, but he’d be more in his place strutting around New York or London and for some time now, he’s been doing just that.

To say you’re a professional male ballet dancer – and from the Gold Coast – is somewhat of a paradox, the sheer unlikelihood of it only goes to emphasize Aaron’s rarity more.

In a nation where boys do footy and girls do dancing, it’s gratifying to note that when some boys do dance it works out great! Obviously for the girls who do footy as well, but that’s not my speciality so I can’t make any commentary there.

Indeed, male dancers are in such high demand, and career prospects are so good, it led one SYTYCD judge to give his Top Tip for auditionees “…be a boy”.

It would be stupendous if some of our fantastic “footy/tradie/surfie” physical prowess would be directed into dance to balance the playing field. No pun intended! Still, some stigma remains in the country about boys in ballet and it’s a darn shame, not only for the industry, but for the boys themselves.

 

By stark contrast in many eastern European countries, the Arts are so high on the national agenda, and positions in national ballet companies so highly prized, that young boys gladly grow up in a life of dance and go on to have robust careers at home, or internationally, with great salaries, job security and pensions.

Meanwhile, for an ace like Aaron, he’s taken his Gold Coast gained skills and honed out a career, brand and a lifestyle for himself internationally. He seems to flit effortlessly from country to country, company to company, always imposing himself in leading roles, with a super nice guy image and representing his country and town to excellence.

He’s somewhat our “GC Dance Olympian”.

Ballet is its own calling card. Once you get the training and the full repertoire of tricks and skills, there’s very little that can refute your place in the professional performance world. Dance speaks for itself. An international physical language and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re undeniably good at it is truly empowering.

When Aaron Smythe of Benowa stepped out into the world and on to TV for Australia’s Got Talent, he held spectators spellbound. His captivating performances, sheer ability and “can-do” attitude have made him the flavour wherever he chooses to go.

One has to wonder when he steps on the stage with such self-assuredness, in front of thousands of spectators, that there isn’t a little Gold Coast sand in his shoe to give him that extra grit and grip.

 

 INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT ON AARON SMYTHE

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU ATTEND?

I grew up on the Gold Coast (Benowa) and attended All Saints Anglican School.

WHO TRAINED YOU?

I trained with Dianne Talbot, Ransleys and Prudence Bowen.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING?

The second I entered the dance studio at age 8 I knew this was what I wanted to do.

WHO WERE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES THAT INSPIRED YOU AND WHY?

My teachers, and ballet stars on YouTube… that’s when YouTube was just getting popular haha! And Hugh Jackman!

WHAT PERFORMANCE ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW?

Currently, I am guest performing all around the USA –  I have a couple of projects in 2023 in the works which will be revealed in the coming months.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST BIG BREAK?

My first job offer was with the American Ballet Theatre II company,  12 handpicked dancers from all over the world and then after that, joining the Royal Ballet in London.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR?

A few Career highlights would be:

The Royal Ballet

Joffrey Ballet

Snow Cavalier in Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms feature film… alongside Misty Copeland, Morgan Freeman and Keira Knightly.

Older Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical

Performed for the Obamas and the Queen

3rd On Australia’s Got Talent

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR LEISURE?

I actually love learning about astrology and going to the beach.

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME PITFALLS OF YOUR CHOSEN PATH?

It’s an extremely tough industry! Some serious lows and highs, however, the passion and love gets you through those moments.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA PLAY A PART IN YOUR CAREER, IS IT IMPORTANT?

It’s very important as you can book work through it. People kind of view it as your resume these days… I feel there has to be a healthy balance with it though.

WHAT DO YOU ADVISE YOUNG PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT?

Focus on themselves and remember everyone’s path and journey is different… there is only one YOU! If you put 1% in every day to better your craft overtime that’s some massive change right there.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Be patient. Good things take time.

WHAT DO YOU WISH MORE THAN ANYTHING THE GOLD COAST COULD HAVE THAT IT DOESN’T?

Disneyland!

WHAT DO YOU MISS WHEN YOU’RE AWAY FROM GC?

I miss the beautiful beaches, there is really nothing quite like them anywhere in the world.

ANY FUNNY PERFORMANCE DISASTER ANECDOTES YOU CAN SHARE?

Yes! I’ve gotten caught in many of my dance partners’ costumes live on stage…

One performance at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden… the horse and carriage that I was bringing on stage nearly tore down half the set and the curtains had to come down mid-show lol!!