New Adventures |

Michela Meazza is one of New Adventures most prolific and loved dancers. She has played most of the leading roles in the repertory and always delights with her versatility and extrordinary beauty. She created the role of Lady H in the current New Adventures hit Dorian Gray, and has played the role at every performance since July of 2008! Michela also created a role in the award winning Play Without Words, and has dazzled as Sugar in Nutcracker!, Lana in The Car Man. She surprised audiences with her hilarious created role in Edward Scissorhands in 2005, when she played completely against type, as the red-headed town floozy, Joyce Monroe.

Michela's versitility has been on display with other companies and projects over the last few years. In everything from the Cholmondeleys to "Pictures at an Exhibition" seen this year at The Young Vic, she continues to explore and surprise. Early next year she can be seen in a new play at the National Theatre directed by Anna Mackmin and designed by New Adventures' Lez Brotherston.

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With Scott Ambler in Nutcracker! (2002)

NAME – Michela Meazza

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU TOOK YOUR FIRST DANCE CLASS?

I was 8 and I took my fist ballet class in a little light blue leothard. I was very nervous.

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF WATCHING DANCE?

Bejart Company In Milan with my grandmother.

WHERE DID YOU DO YOUR DANCE TRAINING?

A private School in my hometown (Piacenza) in Italy followed by 2 years at London Studio Centre. A professional Course with Aterballetto in Italy and lots of other summer courses and workshops.

FAVOURITE JOB NOT WITH AMP OR NEW ADVENTURES?

"Pictures from an Exhibition" at the Young Vic : it was a very intense experience.

A challenging artistic journey into unfamiliar territory. I love challanges!

WHEN DID YOU START WORKING WITH AMP OR NEW ADVENTURES?

1996 , Swan Lake at the Piccadilly Theatre. Lovely memories!

WHAT WAS YOUR DEBUT ROLE WITH THE COMPANY?

Italian Princess in Swan Lake . I guess I was authentic?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW TO PERFORM AND WHY?

I enjoyed all of them in different ways. I guess the Car Man is the most satisfying as a dancer because the choreography is very physical, but I also loved "Play without Words" because it required constant attention to details and very focused acting.

With Alan Vincent in The Car Man (2007)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROLE YOU HAVE PERFORMED AND WHY?

I loved all the characters that I had the chance to create : all in different ways.

"Lana" in the Car Man is a very interesting character because it requires a good balance of extreme actions and humanity whilst being believable.

Lady H has also been very fascinating to explore. I had to find a different way to communicate feelings while keeping composed on the outside. The acting is like fine tuning.

WHICH ROLE THAT YOU HAVE NOT PERFORMED WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO TRY IN THE FUTURE AND WHY?

If I could shrink a little and "look cute" I would love to play all those sweet characters that audiences warm to from the beginning (Clara, Cinderella, Kim or Rita) .

That could be refreshing! and challenging.....for a plastic surgeon!

Otherwise I would like to play "The Queen" in Swan Lake for the variety of emotional states in each scene and also the "Stepmother" in Cinderella for the combination of style and comedy it requires.

WHICH FELLOW NEW ADVENTURES DANCER DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST AND WHY?

Too many to mention: I have learnt so much from everyone in this company.

FAVOURITE INTERNATIONAL TOURING DATE?

New York and Moscow

FAVOURITE UK TOURING DATE?

Edinburgh

WHO ARE YOUR DANCE HEROES, PAST AND PRESENT?

Cyd Charisse, Terence Trent D'Arby, Prince

TIGHTS OR BAGGIES?

Baggies but not too baggy

BALLET OR CONTEMPORARY?

50/50 they complement each other

MATINEE OR EVENING?

Evening

REHEARSAL OR PERFORMANCE?

Both.

With Emily Piercy and Saranne Curtin in Play Without Words (2002)

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN 10 YEARS?

Anywhere really, as long as I am healthy and happy. I am open to all options. I love the world of dance and Theatre so I doubt I will ever be able to just step away from them.

Assisting a director or choreographer is something I would definitely consider.