Ivan Putrov was born in Kyiv, Ukraine to a ballet family. He trained at The Kyiv State Choreographic Institute and at The Royal Ballet School. Upon graduation Sir Anthony Dowell invited him to join the Company, where he became a principal after three seasons.
His repertory includes principal roles in all the classics and ballets by MacMillan, Ashton, Balanchine, Fokine, Nijinsky, Tetley, Cranko, Bournonville, Robbins, De Valois, Zamuel, Goleizovsky, McGregor, Forsythe, Kylián, Maliphant, Bourne, De Frutos, Petit and Duato. International appearances include leading roles with the National Ballet Companies of Cuba, Hungary, Ukraine, Lithuania, England, Mexico, Georgia, Vienna Staatsoper, Asami Maki Ballet Theatre and with The Royal Ballet in many of the world’s most renowned theatres. Awards include Premier Prix at the Prix de Lausanne, Gold medal at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition, Gold Medal at the Nijinsky Festival, Critics’ Circle National Dance Award, and the Medal for Work and Achievement from the President of Ukraine. In 2009 Ivan was made an Honorary Artist of Ukraine.
Ivan has worked with Mario Testino, Johnnie Shand-Kidd, Philip Haas, Nick Knight, Gary Hume, Sam Taylor-Wood and the Pet Shop Boys on photographic, film and other creative projects. Ivan has performed at numerous special events and charities including at Buckingham Palace and for the 101st birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother at The Royal Opera House. The Pet Shop Boys wrote The Most Incredible Thing for him which was first performed at Sadler’s Wells in 2011 and was filmed by the BBC. In 2012 Ivan conceived and produced Men in Motion, an exploration of the changing role of the male dancer over the last century. It premiered at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in 2012 and has had three more successful runs in London as well as in Italy, Russia, Poland and Ukraine.
When did the transition from dancer to producer happen?
The world is so multilayered now, so many people aren’t just one thing. Same for me – I am a dancer and I am a producer and whatever other things I am doing/creating. Since I am realising my own concept I guess you can call me an art director? ‘Transition’ isn’t fixed, it’s fluid and constant, it’s a process.
Describe a day in your life now.
No day is similar apart from training in ballet class, which I do wherever I may be. I think all experiences in life are important to allow one grow as a human and become richer in diversity, ability. All of your previous life and whatever you strive for makes the performer have more dimensions and nuances on stage, it gives more depth to a performance.
What has been the defining moment of your career?
There are so many! Usually it’s working with outstanding people, hearing their vision, learning from them. I feel I lived a few lives already. It’s hard to choose and name one moment because there are many.
What has been the most challenging?
There are always moments of doubt, moments when not everything goes well, challenging is to keep the faith in your belief, in what you are doing. If you keep pure to the idea you have committed, it will worth it in the end.
What’s the most rewarding thing about dance in general?
That’s a question to each individual person, there isn’t one truth and there isn’t one rewarding thing. I do think however dance is a means to express oneself and often dance is the best way to do it, that’s rewarding to have this ability or to witness it.
Do you have any pre-show rituals, either if you’re performing or watching your own creations?
It’s about the performance, nothing matters once you’re on stage, whatever happens or doesn’t happen beforehand. One does what’s necessary or feels right to prepare the best way.
Who or what inspired you to produce Against the Stream?
The concept has been with me since about 2012. It’s about to result in ‘Against the Stream’ first performance. Many great creators inspired me to start this project, the show is about them.
Can you describe it in three words?
Ballet masters revealed.
What are you most looking forward to about the show?
The moment of truth when it’s on stage.
What is your advice to an aspiring producer?
Stay truthful to yourself and pure to the idea/dream from which all began.