Matěj Šust

Biography

In 2013, he was promoted to demi-soloist of the Czech National Ballet, and came third in an international competition in Budapest. In 2015, he was named a soloist of the Czech National Ballet. After the successful portrayal of Merkucia in the Czech premiere of Cranko Romeo and Juliet, Matěj Šust was promoted to the position of the first soloist in February 2022.

Matěj Šust began dancing at a tender age. Between 2001 and 2003, he received the title of junior tap-dancing champion of the Czech Republic. Subsequently, he enrolled at the Prague Dance Conservatory, completing his studies in 2011. In that year, he joined the Czech National Ballet and won the Grand Prix at the dance competition in Szczecin, Poland.

He has portrayed a number of remarkable leading roles, including Danceny in Valmont, the Devil in The Nutcracker and the Cuddly Mouse, Bob Cratchit / Devil in The Nutcracker – Christmas Carol, Liško in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the Prince in The Little Mermaid, Romeo and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Kay in The Snow Queen, Colas in La Fille mal gardée.

Furthermore, he has also danced the Pas de trois in Swan Lake, Solors´friend inLa Bayadère and appeared in contemporary choreographies, including in Ohad Naharin’s decadance, Alexander Ekman’s Cacti, Christopher Bruce’s Dance at the Crossroads, Jiří Kylián´s Symphony of Psalms and Six Dances, Ondřej Vinklát´s Dumka, Petr Zuska´s Tremble and Solo for the Two of Us, Glen Tetley´s Le sacre du printemps.

His performances in the roles of Mercutio, Danceny and Kay earned him nominations for the Thalia Prize, and in 2016 he received the Opera Plus Prize. In addition to dancing, he has also worked as an educator and choreographer.