Thomas Whitehead

Thomas Whitehead is a British Principal Character Artist of The Royal Ballet, a position he has held since 2017 following over two decades as a company dancer. Born in West Yorkshire, he trained at the Nydza School of Dance, Arts Educational Schools London, and The Royal Ballet Upper School, joining the company in 1994.

Whitehead brings sharp characterisation and theatrical wit to the great character roles of the classical canon: Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker, Dr. Coppélius in Coppélia, Bottom in The Dream, and Widow Simone in La Fille mal gardée. His career has spanned the full breadth of Royal Ballet programming, including roles in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling and a critically praised appearance in Kim Brandstrup's Goldberg project opposite Tamara Rojo.