Growing up with a love and yearning for dance, Ned Zaina knows first hand the adversity that male dancers can be faced with. But from the boy who used to hide his tights and leotard in his backpack, he sure has come a long way. Featured as the iconic Johnny Castle in ‘Immersive Cinemas presents Dirty Dancing’ to now making moves for the upcoming tour of Magic Mike Live in Australia, Ned has shown that with determination and hard work it really is possible to achieve your dreams. Not afraid of slowing down and appreciating the little things, he also encourages others to show their true selves and know their worth. Emphasising the importance of individuality and avoiding comparison, we sat down with Ned and chatted about what dance means to him and how he came to be the dancer he is today. See below to read more about this talented performer and his photoshoot with Energetiks.

Energetiks: Tell us about how your dance journey started.

Ned Zaina: I would have been about three or four years old and I was at my grandma’s house. She had put on Michael Flatley’s ‘Feet of Flames’ and I was transfixed. I was standing there shaking my bottom and that was the moment that mum enrolled me in dance classes. I started with tap then also added jazz. My focus then shifted to ballet and my love for that just evolved. My biggest supporter the whole way through would have to have been my mum. She was always (and still is) my number one fan. She was the one who encouraged me to go for what I want and believe in my talents and capabilities.

E: How old were you when you realised this was something you wanted to pursue long term?

NZ: I would have been around fifteen or sixteen and had just started full-time training. I still had the dream of becoming a classical dancer but with time and a greater awareness I decided that in terms of career longevity (for myself personally) I should broaden my abilities and become a well-rounded dancer, rather than just focus on one stream. And I’m so glad that I did because it led me to all the wonderful career opportunities I’ve had to date. I went from being the ballet boy to the guy who was cast in Magic Mike Live! It’s crazy!

E: Has it always been easy growing up dancing?

NZ: Definitely not. There were moments growing up that I used to have to hide my dance gear in my backpack so I wouldn’t get picked on for going to my dance classes after school. I used to find that so difficult. I was the boy who did ballet and would get teased for that. But I really loved dance. And the older I got the less that bothered me. When I started full-time training I just felt like I belonged. I knew I had done the right thing for me and was so glad that I had persevered and kept going.

E: You have a twin brother Jack. Is he as big a fan of the Arts as you are?

NZ: We couldn’t be more opposite. He’s actually an electrician, an A-grade ‘sparky’. So definitely not as big of a fan of the Arts as I am but he will always be there to support me. He doesn’t always love going to the theatre or seeing shows but I can always count on him to cheer me on. And the same goes for me. However, I actually love going down on a Saturday morning to watch him play footy and cheer him on. We both have our own passions, they just aren’t the same passion. He’s my best friend and I’m so glad we get to share life’s ups and downs together.

E: You’re apart of the Magic Mike Live tour! How was it rehearsing for the show?

NZ: It was probably one of the best things I’ve done in my career to date. We did a launch for the show in December last year where we had Channing Tatum in Melbourne and we then went to Europe over January and February to rehearse for the show. It would have to be a cast of the most talented and kindest men you’ll ever meet! The show really highlights the talents of each cast member. I get to do aerial work in the show which was an amazing skill to learn. I hadn’t ever done anything like that before and to be able to just hold your body weight in one arm was a skill I really had to work towards. But the whole creative team were so wonderful and so highly regarded. They have worked with some of the biggest people in the music and theatre industry. It was such an honour to be part of the show and I have all my fingers and toes crossed that we’ll be able to start the season soon!

E: We at Energetiks had the opportunity to see you perform as Johnny Castle in Immersive Cinema presents Dirty Dancing. What was it like being apart of a show like that?

NZ: It was like nothing I had ever been involved in before. We would be on stage for up to four hours and you would have 350 people following you and chasing you from set to set. And then when it went dark the audience would watch the movie and we would re-enact the last dance, step for step in front of the screen. It was insane. There are very few times in your career where you get to dance so hard that you can’t breathe anymore and I love that! The time, effort and love that went into the show was second to none. I also can’t commend enough the work Jarryd Byrne did. He was such a great choreographer and made the whole process so enjoyable. It truly was an immersive experience that you cannot forget.

E: You also got to learn some cheer skills in Bring It On The Musical. Was that harder than you thought it would be?

NZ: I would have to say that I ended up falling in love with cheerleading after rehearsing and doing the show. I learnt so much about my body but in a different way to what I already knew from dance and gained a whole different skill set. I also ended up gaining a different sort of strength. I was lifting weights and I ended up with a different physique to what I was used to. It’s such an iconic musical, a really fun show and I am grateful to have been involved in both seasons.

E: What’s been your most memorable experience or highlight as a performer to date?

NZ: There’s probably been three major highlights. Magic Mike Live for sure, Dirty Dancing and the third would be when I was Dance Captain for a show called Turnadot with Opera Australia. It was set on Sydney Harbour which in itself is incredible but what made it even more memorable for me was that it was the first time my dad had come to see me dance. He flew up to Sydney from Melbourne (he hates flying!) and he came and stayed with me. I gave him a backstage tour before he watched the show and afterwards he got really emotional about it all. It was kind of the first time that he really understood and appreciated what dance meant to me and how I much I loved it. I think he always worried for me pursuing a career in the Arts. Your parents never want to see you struggle and that was how he felt. But after this experience it changed his perspective. It was a special moment and I’m glad that we got to share it.

E: Who do you draw your inspiration from?

NZ: There would definitely be a few! I’ve always loved having a strong, masculine energy when dancing and I think that stems from growing up and watching male dancers who embodied this. Yes male dancers can be feminine and a lot of male dancers go down that avenue, but for me the masculinity is what inspires me. I’ve always loved watching Elvis Presley and his amazing stage presence, as well as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. My long time favourite Michael Flately, despite being flamboyant at times, still has a strong male presence and I’ve always loved that. And you can’t go past Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ivan Vasiliev. These crazy, talented male ballet dancers who are unapologetically manly. They really all inspire me in different ways.

E: Do you have a favourite genre or style of dance?

NZ: I actually don’t have a favourite genre of dance. I just love it all as a whole. I especially love dancers who are versatile and create a blended form of dance drawing from different styles, genres and eras! I really just appreciate movement. And it’s all so different. There are things in one style that another doesn’t have and you can always learn something new.

E: What would be the thing that motivates you to keep pushing when things can get tiring?

NZ: For me personally, if I’m having a day where my motivation is low and I’m not feeling it I’ll just ride that wave. I think the trick is not to feel bad by taking that rest and then when you are ready to kick some goals again you are more energised and motivated. Sometimes having doubts and average days are the things that push me to make myself better. If I find an area that is weak for me, I’ll work and focus on that so I feel more capable and confident in my abilities. But there is no guilt in having downtime. It’s the little things you do in those moments which will benefit you in the long term. And that’s different for everyone. I love music and playing (very averagely) on my guitar. It’s my moment of calm which sets me up for whatever is coming up in the following days or weeks.

E: Tell us something people may not know about you.

NZ: I’m a big gardener! I have a veggie garden and heaps of house plants that I love to tend to. I find it so therapeutic. They are like my babies. I name them all too. Lily, who is a peace lily, has three younger daughters all named Lily Jnr. And I have a hardy elephant ear named Dumbo! Oh and I also love mowing the lawn. I’ve been weed, seed, and feeding it and now it has really come up so well! It’s just the little things.

E: Any words of advice, especially for the other male dancers/performers out there?

NZ: Don’t ever stop. I mean unless you don’t like it anymore. But don’t let anyone else tell you what you can and can’t do. Because there is nothing in this world that you can’t do as a man, or a woman. I think so many young boys get discouraged by friends and even family, but don’t let them deter you. I think it’s also important for parents to give their child the option of dance as well as sports. If they show interest let them give it a go. Everyone deserves to be as happy as they can be and if dance makes you happy then who is anyone else to get in the way of your happiness.

To follow Ned’s journey follow him on Instagram: @ned_zaina

Written by Sheree Ronai-Horvath
Photography by Elly Ford

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