On this episode of As Told By You, Bill and Brian sit down with one of South Carolina’s most iconic creative leaders, William Starrett, Director and CEO of the South Carolina Ballet. William shares how fashion, choreography, education, and business strategy all shape the identity and future of the ballet. He talks about his bold personal brand, why he treats dance like a serious business, and how the ballet reaches more than 18,000 students a year across the state. William explains why accessibility matters, how the nonprofit stays financially healthy, and why keeping ticket prices affordable is part of their mission. We also cover the scale of the touring season, including: • 65th anniversary season • 56 performances in 14 cities • Touring productions of Dracula, Nutcracker, Motown Ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Sapphire Anniversary Gala William explains how dancers audition from across the country, how he shapes the company with performers from diverse backgrounds, and why he believes dance should reflect the community it serves. He also shares a personal story of how he fell in love with ballet at age 13, moved to San Francisco to train, and decided to pursue dance professionally, leading him to live and work in NYC, his exploits at Studio 54, and what eventually brought him to Columbia. If you want an inside look at the world of professional ballet, leadership in the arts, and what it takes to build a creative legacy, you will enjoy this episode of As Told By You. Like and subscribe for more conversations with creative leaders, entrepreneurs and artists shaping our community.