Breaking from Ballet Purity | Learning to Not Be Afraid of Tough Conversations in the Industry

When it comes to ballet, there is a common association with delicate purity and ethereal presence. Albeit beautiful, there is a coexisting strength in our field that is a no-brainer. That same intensity in which we push our bodies to perform better and better needs to transcend into a collective assessment of our industry.

Eternally inspired by the posts and outspokenness of dancers like Melody Mennite, Georgina Pazcoguin, and Carmina Ballesteros, I look to the fact that they are unafraid to challenge those in power within their own companies. As of a 2022 study, 71 percent of the 50 most prominent ballet companies in the United States are run by male artistic directors. 29 percent, on the other hand, are under the artistic direction of women. While this is a field of creatives and performers who utilize their bodies as their instruments, the gender gap and patriarchal reign are as staggering as that you would see in corporate America.

Ironically, many would associate a ballerina with being delicate, poised, fragile, and effeminate by nature. Granted, the diverse range of genders and identities within companies is beautiful, yet men, still, have the final say from up at the top. With all honesty, I understand now why it has taken so long to see more physical changes in the body types in the industry on large company stages (and we know how passionately I have advocated for such in countless other posts and in day-to-day life). The male gaze is ever-so upon us, henceforth Eurocentric and difficult-to-attain beauty standards in ballet are the same as they have been for decades ("Thanks, Balanchine," ad sarcasm). Men are still making the decisions and setting standards for companies predominantly comprised of women.

Going back to the default depiction of what a ballerina appears to be, there are also traits that allow for greater realization as to what practices are inflicted upon dancers to this day. Beautiful. Soft. Delicate. Docile. Submissive. Passive. Complicit. The expectation, especially in pursuit of physical and performance perfection, is that dancers comply with everything that they are told, never question, lack autonomy, nor even dare voice an opinion or disagreement. God forbid one ever acted on that because that would be instant ground for body-shaming, physical violence, firing, and so forth.

While I have not been a part of a professional setting and still aspire to be a part of such for the greater good, I can only utilize the experiences of other professionals who have voiced their stories of being positively rebellious. To know that a comment or disagreement can cost someone their job as well as potentially being blackballed in the industry for being "too difficult" only fires me up all the more. Truly, I love it when female dancers challenge their male directors to only garner more support for their cause and the betterment of the industry. That's the part of risking everything to bring what is right to the forefront. Being combative and difficult, especially in a patriarchal industry, is a badge to be worn with pride, as I feel that this is indicative of the potential for accountability to be held over these male directors, and to even see a shift in the amount of them in leadership positions. The perception of purity and daintiness being able to be flipped on a dime is a marvel. I think that we ought to, collectively, channel that.