Looking Back on Some of Our Favorite Pointe Stories of 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, the team at Pointe is reflecting on some of the stories we enjoyed working on this year and pulling back the curtain on how they came to life. From our interviews with top stars to rising talent and coverage of major moments in ballet, here are some behind-the-scenes moments of the conversations and topics we dove into.

Amy Brandt, Editor in Chief

Gillian Murphy Reflects on Her Final Season at American Ballet Theatre

A ballerina in a black tutu with gold embellishments does a large sissone onstage with a triumphant smile on her face. She raises her left arm high and her right arm out to the side. — Gillian Murphy as Odile in *Swan Lake*. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy ABT.

Last summer, I spoke with longtime American Ballet Theatre principal Gillian Murphy a few weeks before her final performance. She was deeply candid about how emotional she felt about her upcoming retirement, and reflected on her career highs and lows, favorite roles, and how she wants to support the next generation. A few weeks later I witnessed her last performance as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, which she danced with such strength, clarity, and emotional depth. Truly a class act!

Body Image, Revisited: What’s Changed Since Pointe’s Spring 2000 Issue

Five ballet dancers in practice clothes stand close to a mirror in fifth position and look at their reflections. — Getty Images.

This year marked Pointe’s 25th anniversary, and to celebrate we revisited our first issue, from Spring 2000. One article in particular, “Breaking the Mold” by Suki John, delved into ballet’s age-old topic of body image. I was curious—had anything changed since then? I caught up with Ariana Lallone, Tina LeBlanc, and Aesha Ash, the three ballerinas originally interviewed, to find out. And while the dance industry still has a ways to go, their observations were encouraging.

For the Freelance Dancers Cast in “Étoile,” the Series Offers Welcome Stability

In a dance studio lined with long, narrow windows, a line of male and female dancers stand in fourth position relevé, with the women on pointe, holding their arms up in a V-shape and joining hands. A team of cameramen run by them with a camera, shooting the scene. — A scene from “Ètoile” featuring dancers of Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. Photo by Philippe Antonello, courtesy Amazon MGM Studios.

2025 also brought us the Amazon Prime series “Étoile,” a mainstream show about the ballet world starring actual ballet dancers. We were, of course, all over this, but one story I especially loved working on focused on how booking “Étoile” affected the lives of the cast’s freelance dancers. In the often financially precarious world of freelancing, the big-budget series provided some welcome security and benefits. (Alas, the second season was canceled.)

Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Clara Ruf Maldonado: An Intentional Artist of Quiet Tenacity

Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist Clara Ruf Maldonado. Photo by Angela Sterling.

I loved interviewing Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer Clara Ruf Maldonado for Pointe’s September/October digital cover story. She was so honest about struggling with early injuries and seeing a potential corps contract with New York City Ballet slip away. But her inspiring journey shows how when one door closes, another opens—and last month, she celebrated her promotion to principal dancer!

Kyra Laubacher, Digital Editor

Tommie Lin Kesten, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Hometown Ballerina

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre principal Tommie Lin Kesten. Photo by Anita Buzzy Prentiss.

This was my first cover story for Pointe, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s first cover as well. As a longtime Pittsburgher, that made writing this November/December feature quite special. I’ve loved watching this exceptional dancer over the years, and she deserves this recognition.

What Ballet Dancers Need to Know About Surgery

In a large ballet studio, dancers do an adagio combination with legs held in a la seconde, arms in second position. One dancer in the middle wears a blue shirt that says "Athletico Physical Therapy." — Max Dawe in company class. Photo by Carolyn McCabe, courtesy Joffrey Ballet.

After going through hip surgery in college, writing this felt full-circle. The dancers I interviewed, João Pedro Silva and Max Dawe, spoke candidly about their own experiences—which were at times extremely difficult—and I am grateful to them for that. I hope this piece provides some clarity and reassurance for those who need it.

The Sky Was on Fire: A New Documentary on Ballet’s Fight for Ukraine

Khrystyna Shyshpor dances "The Dying Swan" among the ruins of a former children's hospital in Ukraine. She wears a white tutu with feather details and sits with one knee bent in and her other leg extended behind, arching up with her arms pressing down behind her like wings. — Khrystyna Shyshpor dancing *The Dying Swan* in a film still from *The Sky Was on Fire*. Photo courtesy Adrenaline Films.

Working on this story was sobering and emotional. During my interview with Adrenaline Films producer Julie Meyer, we both cried. What she and her team saw and heard in Ukraine is not easily forgotten. In Meyer’s words: “Art isn’t just entertainment. It’s a lifeline for these people.”

Catie Robinson, Managing Editor

The Nutcracker Divertissement You May Not Have Heard Before

Neal Burkes in Stanton Welch’s *The Nutcracker*. Photo by Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, courtesy of Houston Ballet.

I pitched this story in order to answer the question that I had wondered about for years. It was so cool to discuss the creation of The Nutcracker with historian Doug Fullington, and to read in the comments on social media about other companies that use this piece of music.

Meet Michael Agudelo, Ballet Dancer and Part-Time Jedi

Michael Agudelo, wearing all black, holds a green lightsaber up to the sky. — Ballet San Antonio principal dancer Michael Agudelo. Photo by Justin Ramones, courtesy of Agudelo.

I love getting to talk to dancers about their unique hobbies and side hustles, and this one was a standout for me. Don’t let your dream job keep you from your dream job. 🙂

Inside Maya Schonbrun’s Dance Bag

Maya Schonbrun, a fair-skinned dancer with brown hair in a bun, sits on a gray marley floor in front of a mirror. She wears and gray Taco Bell sweatshirt and black sweats. The contents of her dance bag are laid in front of her. — Royal Swedish Ballet first soloist Maya Schonbrun. Photo by Emma Zordan.

You can learn a lot about a person based on the contents of their dance bag, and Maya Schonbrun’s might be the funniest and quirkiest one I’ve had the privilege to look inside of. We also had a lot of fun at this photo shoot.

Hana Le, Social Media Editor

After Battling Lymphoma, Philadelphia Ballet’s Nicholas Patterson Savors Every Moment

A male ballet dancer in a tan tank top and dark blue leggings jumps up with his right leg in passé. He lefts his right arm and holds his left arm out to the side, holding a tambourine in his left hand, and looks out over his left hsoulder, smiling. — Philadelphia Ballet soloist Nicholas Patterson, before his cancer diagnosis. Photo by Arian Molina Soca, courtesy Philadelphia Ballet.

Speaking with Nick about his return to dance at the start of Philadelphia Ballet’s 2025–26 season was incredibly meaningful. His story of strength and perseverance will stick with me forever. Since we last spoke, Nick has been busy making the most of his comeback—on December 12, he debuted as the Cavalier in Philadelphia Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker!

2025 Pointe Live Classes & Conversations Chicago Recap: Artistry Grounded in Stability

Amanda Assucena demonstrates a développé arabesque at a portable barre for a class of young ballet students she is teaching. The dancers wear leotads and tights, while ASssucena wears a t-shirt over a long-sleeved leotard, a long pink ballet skirt, black legwarmers and red sneakers. — Amanda Assucena teaching at *Pointe* Live Classes & Conversations. Photo by Kristie Kahns.

On August 2, 2025, we hosted our first Pointe Live Classes & Conversations event in Chicago. It was a wonderful day of education, mentorship, and connection. Master-class teachers Amanda Assucena and Kyra Nichols provided students (and onlookers, like me!) with both wisdom and inspiration.

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