Born: Established: 1963 Perth, Western Australia, ;
Gender:
Male
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BiographyHistory
Most Referenced Works
Personal Awards
- 2021 recipient Order of Australia — Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) For eminent service to the performing arts, particularly to ballet both nationally and internationally, to artistic directorship and dance education, and as a mentor.
Awards for Works
-
y
Soar : A Life Freed by Dance
Port Melbourne
:
Thames and Hudson
,
2020
20767198
2020
single work
autobiography
'From the backblocks of Perth to international stardom, this is a story of courage to fight against the odds for your passion and succeed.
'David McAllister has always belonged onstage. As the middle child in a Catholic family who knew nothing about dance, he watched himself twirl in the reflective glass of the TV and dreamed about becoming the next Rudolf Nureyev. As a little boy taking ballet lessons, he was mercilessly bullied. As a young man joining the ranks of The Australian Ballet, he worried that he would never play the prince because he lacked the height and lean limbs of a classical dancer. Every time he heard ‘no’, he simply did what he loved – danced.
'Sure enough, curtains rose for the unlikely prince: he represented Australia on the world stage; he became a principal dancer and performed his dream roles; he fell in love, onstage and off; and he enjoyed a twenty-year tenure as artistic director of The Australian Ballet, transforming it into one of the top flagship dance companies in the world.
'Fifty years since he stepped into his first ballet class, McAllister reflects on his dance journey, his relationships, embracing his sexuality, and the combination of talent, timing and sheer perseverance that gave rise to his transformative career.
'Includes 16 pages of colour photos from McAllister’s life and career.' (Publication summary)
-
y
The Sleeping Beauty
Richmond
:
Little Hare Books
,
2017
12793448
2017
single work
picture book
children's
fantasy
'The story of The Sleeping Beauty spills over with fairies and princes, passion and despair, magnificence and splendour, and the ballet version of this classic tale is the most romantic and spectacular of all.
'Australian Ballet Creative Director David McAllister’s impressive 2015 production of The Sleeping Beauty, ornamented by internationally celebrated designer Gabriela Tylesova’s lavish costumes and sets, cast a spell of delight on its audiences, and was a sellout success.
'Now David McAllister and Gabriela Tylesova weave their magic again, transporting the enchantment of their 2015 production of The Sleeping Beauty to the pages of this book. David’s text and Gabriela’s illustrations recreate the world of this favourite ballet for readers to enjoy again and again.
'Based on the spectacular Australian Ballet production of The Sleeping Beauty. ' (Introduction)
- 2018 CBCA Book of the Year Awards — Notable Book — Picture Book of the Year
Last amended 14 Jun 2021 10:25:41
