Dancer Luke Cooper Bids Farewell to Royal New Zealand Ballet

Palmerston North dancer Luke Cooper is concluding his career with the Royal New Zealand Ballet by performing in *The Nutcracker*, the same production that marked his debut with the company at the age of 8. After a successful seven-year run as a professional dancer, Cooper’s final performance will take place on December 19 and 20, 2024, at The Regent on Broadway, the last stop of the ballet’s pre-Christmas national tour.

The upcoming production presents a vibrant reimagining of the classic tale, set against a nostalgic backdrop of a 1950s Kiwi summer, and is choreographed by artistic director Ty King-Wall. For Cooper, returning to his hometown for this performance is a significant moment. “All the stars have aligned, in a strange way,” he stated. “When I found out we were finishing in Palmerston North, I was just like, ‘this feels too good to be true.’”

Cooper’s journey with the Royal New Zealand Ballet has been marked by notable performances, including roles in *Hansel & Gretel*, *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, *Swan Lake*, and *The Long and the Short of It*, a duet with Sir Jon Trimmer during the latter’s final appearances in 2019. Cooper’s extensive experience has made him a prominent figure in the ballet community, but it has come at a cost.

At just 28 years old, Cooper has decided to retire from professional dance, a choice he describes as necessary due to the physical demands of the profession. “It’s so physically demanding,” he explained. “It eats up not just the 40 hours of paid work we do a week, but a lot of our personal life.”

His passion for dance began at the age of 5 after watching a relative perform at The Regent. Despite coming from a family with a strong rugby background, Cooper expressed a keen interest in ballet, which his mother wholeheartedly supported. He trained under various instructors, including Amy Macdonald and Michelle Robinson, and later joined the New Zealand School of Dance full-time programme in 2014.

In 2018, Cooper joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet as a Todd Scholar, later being promoted to artist in 2019. His timing proved fortuitous when he learned of his mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis shortly after signing his contract. “I was really lucky to be able to perform in my country and for my family during one of the hardest times of my life,” he reflected. Cooper’s mother was able to witness him perform with the national ballet company for 18 months before her passing, a cherished experience for both.

As Cooper prepares for his final performance, he acknowledges the support he has received from the community. Many have reached out to express their intention to attend the show, underscoring the personal connections he has forged throughout his career. He recognizes the profound impact that dance has on audiences, observing its ability to bring joy and connection, whether performing for schools or care homes.

“Ballet for me was the striving for perfection,” Cooper said. “It requires you to commit, to have that determination and that drive.” His experiences on stage have shaped his outlook on life, and he intends to carry that determination into the next chapter of his journey.

Tickets for *The Nutcracker* are available through the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s official website. This performance not only marks the end of an era for Cooper but also celebrates a journey that began in his childhood, underscoring the deep ties between his art and personal history.