Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre Susan Jaffe was a celebrated Principal Dancer with ABT for 22 years, before becoming a teacher and arts administrator. Susan sits down with Alicia to reveal her biggest talent, reminisce about struggling to sit at a piano as a young child, and recount joining the studio company of ABT at age 16. Our guest honestly talks about seeing a diet doctor, early challenges at the company, and dancing with Mikhail Baryshnikov. To close it out Susan discusses her life post retirement as a dancer, why it's always important to say yes, and how she is shifting power dynamics and creating a healthy environment for the next generation. 

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Photograph of Susan Jaffe in Swan Lake by Paul Kolnik.

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

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