OTTAWA: Neve Campbell, renowned for her iconic role as Sidney Prescott in the Scream film series, is expressing her gratitude for the profound life lessons she acquired through her early training as a ballet dancer before embarking on her Hollywood career.
The Canadian actress, currently in Toronto for the city’s International Film Festival, where she is presenting the new documentary titled “Swan Song,” discussed the impact of her ballet training on her life and career.
Campbell’s journey into the world of dance began at Canada’s prestigious National Ballet School when she was just 9 years old. She underwent rigorous training at the school from ages 9 to 14, which instilled in her a strong foundation of discipline, determination, and humility.
Reflecting on her dance background, Campbell remarked, “All of the discipline that I have, I take from dance. The capacity to be able to listen and take direction with humility and an understanding that you’re never going to be perfect, that it takes work and drive to be good, and that no matter how hard you work, you’ll never completely get there — that is the journey.”
Neve Campbell’s Acting Journey
She continued, “That’s what I learned, and I’ve taken that into the acting world. I think it certainly has fed me and it’s helped me stay sane in a very challenging world.”
Campbell’s early fascination with dance was sparked when her father took her to see a performance of “The Nutcracker” by the National Ballet of Canada when she was just 6 years old. The experience left a profound impact on her, and she expressed her desire to pursue dance. At age 9, she successfully auditioned for the National Ballet School.
Her time at the ballet school, she acknowledged, was challenging in numerous ways. “It’s hard for anyone,” she said. “The technique that comes out of the dancers there, and the love for the world and for dance that comes out of there is pretty phenomenal.”
