Miguel on the Radio 2026 03 11

Описание: Polish dancer and performer based in Warsaw.
Trained at the John Neumeier Ballet School in Hamburg after studying at the State Ballet School in Warsaw.
Won prizes at the Polish National Dance Competition in Gdańsk and was a finalist at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne ballet competition.
Performed with leading choreographers including John Neumeier, Krzysztof Pastor, and Alexei Ratmansky.
Founded Neoclassica Ballet Center in Warsaw in 2014 to train dancers and promote creative dance education.
Later moved into burlesque performance and production, helping develop the burlesque scene in Poland.
Creates shows, writes, teaches stretching and movement methods, and studies psychology with interest in sexology.
Also involved in social work supporting people with autism and eating disorders.


Interview Summary: Natalie Zonenshine on IMI Radio
[00:00] - Introduction
The host, Miguel, introduces his guest, Natalie Zonenshine, a Warsaw-based performer, artist, and former professional ballet dancer who challenges social norms through her art.

[01:31] - Being a "Born Rebel" and Autism
Natalie discusses her nature as a rebel and how being autistic influences her perception of social rules. She explains that she values speaking the truth over following arbitrary social conventions.

[04:02] - Ballet Training and Perfectionism
Natalie shares how she began ballet at age four. She describes her drive to be "perfect" as a defense mechanism against a difficult home environment and how she pushed herself to be the best and thinnest in her class.

[07:04] - International Success and Hamburg Ballet
She mentions being one of the few Polish dancers to reach the finals of the prestigious Prix de Lausanne competition, which led to a scholarship and a career with the Hamburg Ballet under John Neumeier.

[13:10] - Lessons from Ballet: Discipline and Focus
Natalie reflects on the discipline ballet instilled in her, emphasizing that achieving greatness requires 100% dedication and "one step a day" towards a goal.

[18:26] - Personal History and Breaking the Cycle of Violence
She opens up about her upbringing in a violent household and how ballet served as a pure, magical escape from the "ugliness" of her reality.

[25:32] - Transition to Burlesque and Performance Art
Natalie details her shift from classical ballet to burlesque. She recounts her experience casting for Le Crazy Horse in Paris and how it planted the "seed" for her future artistic direction.

[32:21] - Experiences in Strip Clubs and Pole Dancing
She shares her bold decision to work as a stripper and pole dancer while still a ballet soloist, viewing it as a way to expand her physical language and artistic expression.

[44:05] - Facing Social Stigma and "Shaming" in Poland
The conversation turns to the conservative nature of Poland. Natalie discusses the backlash and shaming she faced for doing pole dance and burlesque, and her psychological approach to dealing with haters.

[01:13:19] - International Recognition and "Dark Empath"
Natalie talks about winning international burlesque awards, specifically in Rome, with a deep, psychological act called "Dark Empath" where she performed with her face covered.

[01:21:51] - Advice on Body Confidence and Therapy
She recommends therapy as the primary tool for healing and feeling comfortable in one's body, rather than using performance art alone as a "fix."

[01:31:54] - Dreaming Big: The "Unlimited Budget" Show
Natalie describes her vision for a massive, high-budget show that combines acrobats, ballet, and burlesque with deep psychological impact to "shake the audience to their core."


IMI Radio jest jedynym wielojęzycznym, wielokulturowym i integrującym radiem internetowym w Polsce. Działa od maja 2015 roku. Jego celem jest promocja wielokulturowości, integracji oraz aktywizacja migrantów. Jest także głosem środowisk imigranckich w Warszawie.
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