Ahead of their stunning performance of Our Windrush Story on Wednesday 30 October (1pm and 2pm) at Southside, we caught up with Ruth Essel, Pointe Black ballet school’s founder, to discuss their history, what inspired their Black History Month performance, and what this year’s theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ means to her.
Tell us who you are and what you do.
My name is Ruth Essel and I’m the founding director at Pointe Black.
Pointe Black is a ballet school for people of black heritage starting from 18 months with no age ceiling. I am also a mental health professional, working in audit and research.
How did Pointe Black come about?
I started ballet just before I was three years old and did ballet for over 20 years – I just fell in love with the art! Unfortunately, I also endured racism and discrimination in the industry and decided that enough was enough. I vowed to make the ballet world a ballet place for our community, and when I saw the diversity was still lacking more than 20 years after I started, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
In May 2021, we had our first lesson with one student and the school has now grown as a home for over 40 ballerinas.
What can you tell us about your upcoming performance at Southside for Black History Month?
Our upcoming performance at Southside this Black History Month is an excerpt from our performance ‘Our Windrush Story’. We’ll be exploring the immeasurable contribution the Windrush generation has had in the UK, celebrating their bravery, but also acknowledging the challenges they inherently faced.
You can find us on Wednesday 30 October at 1pm and 3pm outside Waitrose. This will be an immersive and cultural experience, so get your dancing shoes ready!
We’ll be showcasing the full performance at Southfields Academy Saturday 26th Oct and Saturday 2nd Nov, doors open at 3:30pm.
This year’s theme for Black History Month is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, what does that mean to you?
I’ve never been so excited about a Black History Month theme before, because this one resonates so well with our mission. At Pointe Black, we reclaim narratives everyday, campaigning for racial equity in the arts and empowering our community that black people do ballet too! It’s a theme I hope we can all take forward with us in our every day lives.
How can local children get involved in Pointe Black?
Pointe Black holds classes every Saturday in Battersea from 12:30pm. You can book a taster session via our website or contact me for any details.
Parents and other family members can get involved too with our adult company classes! There is truly something for everybody at PB.
What’s your favourite thing about Wandsworth Town?
I am a Wandsworth girl born and raised! I love how connected the community is and now, with us being the next London Borough of Culture, I can’t wait to see us connecting more with arts and culture in Wandsworth Town!
Download the We Are Wandsworth Town app to get the latest events and updates in your community, including activities taking place in SW18 for Black History Month.
