Dutch National Ballet's Constantine Allen pulls back the curtain on ballet world
Forget what you think you know about ballet dancers. Beyond the clichés, the stereotypes, and the elegance of classical ballet, Constantine Allen pulls back the curtain to reveal the unexpected realities those in the ballet world face. The American is a principal dancer with the Dutch National Opera and Ballet, and has spent seven years in Amsterdam.
The performer sat down with the Dam Yankee podcast, in partnership with NL Times, to discuss the rigorous ballet boarding school he attended as a teen, unexpected social dynamics in the dance world, and the "extreme" nightlife dancers sometimes enjoy. Allen danced with the Hong Kong Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and the Stuttgart ballet before settling in Amsterdam.
According to Allen, achieving this level of success has been an unwavering plan since his childhood in Hawaii. A production of the musical Cats he attended as a five-year-old changed his life forever. "I remember just being in awe of it. And, in the interval, I asked my mother if I could learn how to dance," says Costantine of the formative moment.
He has been in the capital since 2018, confidently now calling the city one of his homes while dancing at the highest rank in the company. During the interview, Allen goes in-depth into his career, knowing full well that his ability to perform physically at this level is nearing an end. He is already thinking about the life he's gaming out after retirement from the dance world.
Dam Yankee: You attended an intense ballet boarding school. Did you ever feel like you missed out on the high school or middle school experience?
Constantine Allen: Yes and no, because, you know, I still grew up with like-minded individuals and, you know, I was really able to celebrate that. But I guess at the same time, having a normal elementary, middle school, high school experience—honestly, no. It's not something I've really ever thought about missing out on.
DY: Teenagers start dating and going through relationships at that time, was that something you missed out on?
CA: No, actually. I mean, people do not stray away from relationships in the ballet world. Definitely not. It's the world of art. It's the world of expression, and it's a very physical environment. So going through your adolescence in this sort of environment is... particular. I would say it's probably more extreme than the average middle school, high school experience because of how physical and athletic everyone is, and just the amount of energy that's exerted and the different ways that kids of that age let out that energy. You know, just because we're dancing six hours a day, it doesn't mean that we still don't have energy to just sort of burst out, like normal teenagers would.
DY: You've spoken about how much you enjoy the city of Amsterdam. What is nightlife like for you and your colleagues, assuming you don't have a performance the next day?
CA: Going to a club with a group of ballet dancers is a particularly fun experience. I mean, just because of their dancing capabilities. To see people breaking away from the strict confinement that is classical ballet and just getting groovy how most people would, but it's heightened because of their capabilities.
I don't go clubbing quite often, but, you know, I have been in situations where I've had some friends or some colleagues that have been like, I would say to the bouncer, "Please let us in. We'll dance. We'll get the party going!" And it's worked. Definitely. That's a good group to go out with.
DY: Are you starting to think about life after dancing?
CA: Hopefully I'll be a Renaissance man. It would be nice to do a few things. I mean, it's kind of what I want to take advantage of, because the career of a dancer is so short that... I'm coming to terms with when I would like to retire.
I'm turning 32 in July. And so it's coming up. It's around the corner before I know it. But I'm interested in a few things. I would be interested in coaching and staying within the world in some respect, but I also really enjoy writing. I work for a restaurant here in Amsterdam, Cue, on Utrechtstraat.
You guys should check it out! And I'm part of the marketing team. I'm the copywriter for the restaurant. Just for fun. I get paid. It's a side hustle. The love for writing started off because I enjoy it. I'm interested in screenplay writing and it's always been something that I've sort of dabbled with on my own, but I've never shared to anyone.
Through my buddies at the restaurant, the opportunity sort of came about where we thought it would be a funny idea if I was the copywriter for the restaurant. So I enjoy doing that. And it's just sort of my first avenue into exploring that interest.
One of my best friends is a sous chef at a three Michelin star restaurant in Zwolle, De Librije. Yeah, the infamous Librije. And so through him, I've also really found a love for hospitality. I think I would love to work front of house at a nice fine dining restaurant. Maybe. I mean, there's a few things—there’s other things I’d like to explore.
Listen to this entire episode of Dam Yankee wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full videos on YouTube. Allen and Newmark go deep about the extreme athleticism of ballet and if there is a better word for a male ballet dancer than a "ballerino".
To find out where Allen is performing this summer, check out his Instagram page @constantineallen. The cast lists for the Dutch National Opera and Ballet are also posted a few months before each program. Tickets can be purchased for various prices depending on the show.
