Jessica Kenway is a former professional ballerina with The Australian Ballet Company. After a successful career in ballet, Jessica transitioned into the field of public relations (PR), bringing her passion for communication and helping others into her new domain. She gained experience through internships and practical application, even before completing her degree. Her journey from ballet to PR was characterized by self-reflection, adaptability, and a desire to continually learn and grow. Jessica is known for her people skills, networking abilities, and a strong work ethic. Currently, she balances her roles as a publicist, ballet instructor, and mother while pursuing passion projects aimed at giving back to the ballet community.
Jessica Kenway: I started considering it around 2015 or 2016. At that time, I had a period when I wasn't heavily involved in a season, and I began to think about my next steps. My parents always advised me to think about what I would do after my ballet career, as the future was unpredictable, especially with the risk of injuries. That's when I decided to use this time to contemplate what I wanted to do next. Initially, I was interested in child psychology, but after starting a course, I realized it wasn't for me.
I reflected on myself and how I wanted to help others. Despite the joy of dancing and giving our art form to thousands of people, being a ballet dancer can be quite a self-oriented career. You are constantly focusing on improving yourself and thinking about how to advance in your career. However, I am very much a people person. I love working with others, talking to people, helping them, and networking. I gave a lot of thought to what I wanted and decided that public relations (PR) or counseling might be a good fit for me. I began searching for online courses and started slowly, taking one unit at a time.
Around 2017, I applied for Swinburne University of Technology and started studying. As I began to take on more units and tour with the company less (during COVID), my priorities began to shift. It was not until COVID hit that I realized I was missing out on a lot of time with my family. Being on tour all the time, coming home tired and grumpy, and dealing with injuries started to take a toll on me.
It was a pivotal moment for me when I realized my priorities were changing. Even though it was hard, I understood that it was okay. I was in my early thirties, and I realized I was spending more time away from what I loved the most. I started thinking about having a family and decided it was time to retire around the beginning of 2020.
I had a conversation with the company’s dancer welfare and development coordinator (Sam Wright) about it, and although he suggested that maybe it was just because of COVID, I decided to continue work for another year or two to see how I felt. Towards the end of that year, I felt ready to retire. I decided to give it another month or two, and then I would know for sure. During the Serenade season, one of my favorite ballets, I felt confident that I was ready to retire. I was excited about the change and the new opportunities that were waiting for me.
I felt relieved when I finally told my director my decision before a show. The feeling of taking control of my life was amazing. I was doing this for myself, and I was ready. It was a long process, but I realized it was time when my priorities started to shift and I felt at peace with my decision.
I had to hustle, interning, working for free, studying, and learning all while continuing my ballet. I landed the job even before I finished my degree, which I may not complete since I'm already working in the industry and have gained ample experience.
Jessica: Yes, Sam was a tremendous help. When I first discussed my interest in PR with him, before COVID, he suggested that we explore it further. He arranged an internship for me with a Sydney-based PR and marketing agency named Entente Agency, which focuses on fashion. I had a meeting with one of their representatives and expressed my interest in the industry.
They offered me a three-month internship, which I completed online. The virtual setting was challenging as I had to learn a lot on my own, especially to avoid constantly interrupting her online. Nonetheless, the experience was beneficial, and I was offered a job at the end of my internship. At that point, I was not ready to leave ballet yet. I felt unsure and decided to politely decline the offer. I kept in touch with them, and they were understanding, even reaching out to me a couple of months later to remind me of the standing offer.
Sam's support throughout this process was invaluable, especially when I was dealing with imposter syndrome and contemplating transitioning careers. He encouraged me to continue my education while figuring out what I wanted to do. Eventually, it struck me that I could combine my love for ballet and PR. I approached the PR team at the ballet and shared my idea. They suggested I intern with them, which I did for two years, fitting in two hours in the mornings before ballet class began.
While on this internship, I was responsible for managing interviews and photoshoots. It worked well. When I felt ready to retire from ballet, I expressed an interest in staying on with the PR team. They appreciated my background in ballet and created a role for me when Sophie (the publicist for The Australian Ballet) went on maternity leave. The role was at a publicist level, typically meant for someone with seven years of experience. I was initially apprehensive, but Sam reassured me that I could learn on the job. I also received support from my artistic director, the PR team and my partner and family.
I had to hustle, interning, working for free, studying, and learning all while continuing my ballet. I landed the job even before I finished my degree, which I may not complete since I'm already working in the industry and have gained ample experience. It's interesting to note that not everyone has to follow a set path of studying and getting a degree. Once you start working and learning on the job, that's often enough.
Jessica: I was ready for the change and accepted that I would be spending most of my day at a desk in front of a computer. The transition was smoother due to the fact that I was still in the same building as my friends and workplace; I was merely upstairs. I could easily walk downstairs and visit the studio, so it didn't feel like a drastic change. I was also eager to learn new skills, like using Excel, a program with which I was not very familiar and scared me!
The challenging part was letting go of the need for perfection. As dancers, we're always improving and we know how to perform ballet. Now, I had to return to the basics and accept that I was going to make mistakes while learning new things.
Despite the difficulties, once I embraced the change, it became exciting. I was learning a lot about the industry of PR and networking and I really enjoyed it. However, I missed the physical activity of dancing. To compensate, I taught ballet or took a ballet class, ensuring I kept a touch of what I loved in my new routine.
Jessica: Certainly, as dancers, we are tenacious, constantly striving for self-improvement. This is incredibly beneficial in PR, a fast-paced industry that requires quick transitions and adaptability. For instance, in a ballet company, someone may fall ill on the night of a performance, or a pattern in Swan Lake might need to be adjusted. These situations require adaptability and teamwork. Similarly, in PR, if you organize a photo shoot and the photographer doesn't show up, you have to think on your feet and adapt. Working with different choreographers of varying personalities is also useful in the corporate world, where you interact with a wide range of individuals. I'm a people person, so I find this aspect quite enjoyable.
Dancers are also structured and disciplined. We have to be punctual, prepare for class, and stick to a routine. These skills are transferable to many other fields. I often tell my dancer friends who are transitioning careers that the values and skills they've learned as a dancer are highly valued in other industries.
As dancers, we've missed a lot of our teenage life due to our dedication to ballet. However, this dedication translates directly to the working world. In my experience, employers appreciate the extra effort and time.
Our entire career as dancers is about continual improvement. We're always being told to fix this or that, to be here on this count. We're used to constant criticism and, in a strange way, we thrive on it. If I didn't get a correction in class, I'd feel like I hadn't done it properly. This desire for feedback is something else that translates well into the corporate world. Employers appreciate it when you ask for feedback and strive to improve. It's a skill that many people struggle with but, as dancers, we're used to it. My husband even comments on how much I enjoy helping people and connecting them with others, and I'm also passionate about career transition.
Jessica: Yes, it's been quite a journey. I completed my RAD teacher's course whilst i was dancing and then working in the PR team. I then began teaching in Melbourne. My teaching experience has been diverse, ranging from little ones up to 18-year-olds.
After I left working for the PR team at The Australian Ballet due to severe morning sickness during my pregnancy, I took some time off. Once I started feeling better, I started teaching again and felt that moving my body helped with the pregnancy aches and pains. When I had my baby, I took a break and returned to teaching part-time when he was about three months old. I found the return to my ballet world almost meditative, a break from being a mom. However, I also missed using my brain in a professional capacity, which led me to a PR agency in Sydney and a PR and talent management company locally.
I was faced with two job offers while being a new mom, which was overwhelming. I chose the local job because it allowed more online work and proximity. However, balancing motherhood and work proved challenging, and I decided to take a break after missing my baby's first laugh.
During this time, I've been focusing on some passion projects (ACT3BALLET), mostly related to giving back to the ballet community. I've been considering creating an online platform for dancers to connect with professional dancers for mentoring and coaching. And maybe even something in the talent management sector for dancers. Especially in the digital age, I believe dancers should have access to teachers and guidance wherever they are.
Balancing everything has been challenging, and I've had to reassess my priorities. For now, I want to focus on being a mom, but I'm also looking forward to returning to my career in a few months.
I've had unique experiences in the ballet world, like being moved up a year during my time at the Royal Ballet School, which I initially found daunting. I wish I had someone to talk to during that period, and I want to provide that support to young dancers. I believe there's a gap in the market for this kind of service.
In my teaching, I try to prepare my students for international competitions and the realities of the ballet world. Many students and even some teachers lack the professional experience to fully understand what lies ahead. I want to help them navigate these challenges and succeed in their ballet careers.
Everyone faces this situation at some point, whether at 23 or 38. It doesn't have to be a scary thing. It's thrilling to consider what else you can do with your life and what other opportunities exist in the world.
Jessica: Yes, certainly. I've had several memorable experiences throughout my ballet career, including my early years. For instance, participating in the Prix De Lausanne, even though I only made it to the semi-finals, led to a scholarship at the Royal Ballet School and other offers. Moving to a new country and learning to adapt without my support network was challenging but invaluable.
This experience taught me to be more self-reliant and proactive. I learned to reach out to people, to build relationships, and to share what I do. This transition has greatly boosted my confidence and has been instrumental in my career growth. This achievement may not directly relate to ballet, but I consider it a significant life accomplishment. It has shaped me personally and professionally in ways I couldn't have imagined.
I am so grateful that I did that because it has helped me tenfold in my career. Just having the confidence to reach out to people professionally and network is something I don’t think I’d have if I hadn't left home and moved across the world.
Jessica: Motherhood has significantly shifted my perspective. Having a baby has encouraged me to push past my self-doubts and just try. It has given me a newfound, invigorating feeling and a boost of self-confidence. In the past, I might have dismissed good ideas, thinking I couldn't execute them. However, becoming a mom has somehow made me more fearless, likely stemming from the instinct to protect my child.
This fearlessness extends to pursuing what I want. I'm not sure how these two aspects are connected, but it's a change I've noticed. Also, I've had time to reflect and think about what I want for my future. During my pregnancy, I had ample time to consider how I could use my skills to benefit the community and the world.
I love PR, ballet, and helping people. So, whether through mentoring, aiding career transitions, teaching, management or other means, I know I want to make a positive impact. My husband has also been incredibly supportive, encouraging me to invest energy into these pursuits. It's strange to think that I might not have made these changes if I hadn't become a mother. But in the end, it has given me a whole new perspective.
Jessica: Firstly, don't be scared. Instead, be excited. For many dancers, a career change can seem like a daunting and gloomy prospect that everyone avoids discussing. However, try to change your perspective. It's an exciting opportunity. Everyone faces this situation at some point, whether at 23 or 38. It doesn't have to be a scary thing. It's thrilling to consider what else you can do with your life and what other opportunities exist in the world.
That's my biggest piece of advice, and it's what I tell all my friends. When they say, "Oh, I'm so scared to start thinking about it," I ask them why. It's exciting. I'm eager to see what my friends achieve outside of ballet and what’s next for them! They're all amazing individuals who've had incredible careers. So, let's see what else is out there in the world. We only have one life, and it doesn't have to be confined to just one thing.
Top image by Taylor-Ferne Morris
