Steven McRae

Steven McRae is an Australian-born principal ballet dancer, choreographer and teacher renowned for his technical speed, virtuosic allegro and theatrical versatility. Born in Sydney, he trained at prominent institutions before joining The Royal Ballet in London, where he rose to principal status and developed a repertoire spanning classical, neoclassical and contemporary works. McRae has collaborated with leading choreographers and performed alongside prominent artists at major venues and festivals, earning international awards and critical acclaim.

Early life and training

McRae was born in Sydney and grew up in New South Wales, where he studied at local schools and trained in dance at the Australian Ballet School and regional studios linked to companies such as Sydney Dance Company and Bangarra Dance Theatre. Early mentors and teachers included instructors connected to institutions like the Australian Institute of Classical Dance, Royal Academy of Dance, Royal Ballet School links through outreach programmes, and tutors versed in the training traditions of Vaganova method proponents and Enrico Cecchetti-influenced curricula. As a youth he participated in competitions and workshops associated with organisations like the Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix and exchanges with companies including San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Paris Opera Ballet affiliates. His pre‑professional training incorporated coaching from guest teachers with affiliations to the New York City Ballet, Ballet Rambert and conservatoires such as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Professional career

McRae joined The Royal Ballet's upper ranks after early engagements with touring ensembles and secondment opportunities in Europe and Australia, performing under directors connected to the companies at Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells Theatre and festival stages like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. He advanced quickly through the corps de ballet and soloist ranks, working with artistic directors and répétiteurs who had links to Kenneth MacMillan, Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Monica Mason. His career includes international guest appearances with companies such as American Ballet Theatre, La Scala Theatre Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and Tokyo Ballet, and partnerships with principal dancers from English National Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. McRae has also taken part in collaborative projects coordinated by institutions such as the British Council, Arts Council England and philanthropic bodies like the Jerwood Charitable Foundation.

Repertoire and notable performances

His repertoire spans canonical ballets and contemporary commissions, encompassing roles from works by choreographers including Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Liam Scarlett, Wayne McGregor and Kenneth MacMillan. Signature roles include soloist and principal parts in productions of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Manon, La Bayadère, Romeo and Juliet (ballet), and Balanchine works such as Apollo (ballet), Theme and Variations (Balanchine), and Agon. He premiered pieces by contemporary choreographers at venues including the Royal Opera House, Barbican Centre, Lincoln Center, Bolshoi Theatre and festivals like Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and Varna International Ballet Competition galas. McRae has worked with conductors and designers affiliated with institutions like the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, National Theatre and sculptors/visual artists connected to collaborations with Tate Modern exhibitions.

Awards and honours

Throughout his career he has received recognition from arts organisations and award bodies including prizes linked to the Olivier Awards, Laurence Olivier Award nominations, honours from the Australian Dance Awards, and acknowledgements from institutions such as the Southbank Centre, Royal Philharmonic Society and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. He has been featured in industry lists and received distinctions from cultural bodies like the British Council and metropolitan honours associated with the City of London and Australian state arts prizes. McRae's accolades reflect peer recognition from companies and festivals such as English National Ballet, Royal Ballet School alumni awards, and invitations to perform at state and diplomatic events involving organisations like the Commonwealth Games cultural programmes.

Teaching, choreography and artistic projects

In addition to performing, McRae has engaged in teaching masterclasses and workshops at institutions and academies including the Royal Ballet School, Australian Ballet School, Juilliard School, Paris Opera Ballet School and conservatoires that liaise with organisations like Dance UK. He has choreographed and staged works for company seasons, gala events and cross‑disciplinary projects in collaboration with choreographers and creative teams associated with Matthew Bourne, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and composers tied to the Royal Opera House commissions. His outreach includes participation in televised broadcasts, charity galas and ambassadorial roles for arts charities such as Dancers' Career Development, educational partnerships with the BBC Proms and curated programmes for spaces including Sadler's Wells Theatre and London's Southbank Centre.

Category:Australian ballet dancers Category:Principal dancers of The Royal Ballet