Ep. 135 Spotlight Series: Building a Dance Business with Purpose with Paul Malek
Paul Malek has built a lot of things. A pre-professional dance training centre. A production company. A media company. A 180-seat theatre. A movement for fair dancer pay that went global. And through all of it, one question has driven him: what does it actually take to create sustainable artists in a world that keeps changing?
In this Spotlight Series episode, Loren sits down with Paul Malek, Director, Choreographer, Educator, and founder of Transit Dance in Melbourne, Australia. Paul talks about why being a great dancer is no longer enough, what it means to train artists who can build careers that last, and why curiosity might be the most important skill a dancer can develop.
He also gets into the mental health side of the arts, his three guides for living and teaching, and what he wishes more dance teachers understood about the human being standing in front of them.
If you're a studio owner, a teacher, or someone building something in this industry, this one is for you.
A full transcription of the podcast is here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-135-building-a-dance-business-with-purpose-with-paul-malek [https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-135-building-a-dance-business-with-purpose-with-paul-malek]
About Paul
Paul Malek is a renowned Director, Choreographer, and Educator whose influence extends across theatre and stage in Australia and across the globe. With a fervent dedication to artistic ingenuity, he ignites the ambitions of individuals, businesses, and communities, inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Having received formal training in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Paul's early career as a dancer and global performer took him on tours across 5 continents, honing his skills and leadership as a dance captain, rehearsal director, and company manager by the age of 26.
Returning to Australia in 2007, the spirit of entrepreneurship beckoned Paul to venture into creating enterprises such as Collaboration the Project (2008 – 2015), which produced ground-breaking events like UNDRGRND Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, Immersed Melbourne Dance Industry Night, DANCE CHAT, DANCE CHAT LIVE, and Project Y (Youth Dance Company), in addition to steering over 16 professional production seasons and tours. This includes award-winning productions Yours Truly, Parkland Avenue and Unanswered.
Paul's contributions to the artistic community manifest through his past roles as board member and President of Australian Teachers of Dancing International. A board member of Ausdance Victoria, and the inaugural Artistic Director of the Victorian Dance Festival. A founding member of Dancers Australia, MEAA, Paul champions fair pay for dancers across the industry which goes back to 2013 when he initiated the #paythedancers movement which reached global attention and has continued moving forward.
Paul was the co-director of BOOM Media (2011 – 2015), a forward-thinking Marketing and Media Company dedicated to and led by dancers. During this time, he worked as a Videographer, Photographer and Film Editor along his choreographic and producing achievements. He was also the Director of Dance Architect choreographic award and the Dance Architect Education Summit.
His choreographic proficiency shines through his work on television shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance Australia, alongside crafting captivating performances for numerous corporate events, award ceremonies, music videos and television commercials. A regular on the Dance Festival Circuit, Paul has taught and lectured at Australian Dance Festival, Victorian Dance Festival, MOVE IT London, Dance Summit New York, Come Together Dance Convention to name a few.
In 2015, Paul founded Transit Dance, a ground-breaking endeavour that serves as a testament to his visionary leadership. As Artistic Director (2015 – 2024), he spearheaded a diverse spectrum of performance platforms and educational initiatives, housed within his innovative dance and performance precinct in Brunswick, Victoria. He currently continues his influence as Chairman of the Transit Dance Board of Directors.
Beyond his instrumental role at Transit Dance, Paul stands as a prominent figure in the realm of motivational speaking, addressing audiences at corporate events, conventions, and festivals globally. As an avid dance photographer his artistic expression extends through his lens, capturing the essence of movement and grace, working alongside esteemed artists to bring their visions to life.
Envisioning a world where art and inspiration intertwine seamlessly, Paul Malek strives to leave an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, shaping the future of dance and performance with his unparalleled vision and unwavering commitment to excellence.
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