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In conversation with Sebastian Pico Haynes

Recenterring Narratives

History tends to overlook a wide variety of important figures and stories that never make the canon, nor are stored in our collective memory. With the Recentering Narratives Project, Prince Credell, Policy advisor for Diversity & Inclusion at Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) is making strides to shed light on these blind spots within the historical context of the company and aims to complement and recover the (NDT) archive with the many multi-racial and multifaceted talents and artists that have graced the (NDT) stage over the decades. This project does not seek to highlight NDT’s past of celebrating differences, but rather wishes to recognize artists of color who have helped carve out the artistic creativity and identity associated with the company and the dance community at large. Through the Recentering Narratives Project the inclusion and acknowledgment of the contributions of these artists will be named and exposed. Not in the least because many of these former NDT dancers continue to contribute vastly to the art form today!

Coverphoto: Take Root (2019) by Imre van Opstal & Marne van Opstal. Photo: Rahi Rezvani.

'Vladimir' - Hofesh Shechter. Photo: Rahi Rezvani.

Sebastian Pico Haynes

Sebastian Pico Haynes (Danish-American) began his dance training at the Royal Danish Ballet School in Holstebro and later in Copenhagen. He joined the Royal Danish Ballet as an apprentice in 2011, and later received Queen Ingrid’s Honorable Award (2014) before rising to the rank of soloist (2016). He joined NDT1, from 2017-2020 before returning to the Royal Danish Ballet. Since his return to Copenhagen he continues to collaborate on independent performance projects, modeling and teaching endeavors both in Denmark and abroad.

During the NDT Summer Intensive 2023, Prince had a conversation with Sebastian. Watch the interview:

Interview by Prince Credell

Prince Credell

Policy Advisor Diversity and Inclusion / Talent development & Education

This interview was conducted by Prince Credell, former NDT 1 dancer and currently Policy Advisor Diversity & Inclusion at NDT.