How Has Ballet Changed to Become More Inclusive?
How Has Ballet Changed to Become More Inclusive?
When it comes to ballet, many people think of a skinny white woman in a tutu dancing on a grand stage under the spotlight. But what's going on in her head under the tutu? More over, what's going on in ours? Why was the ballerina we though of white? Why was she skinny? Ballet is so much more than just putting on a leotard and going on stage. But the issues that lie behind the glitz and glam are rarely talked about. In recent years dancers and companies are coming out with personal stories and new ideas on how to make ballet a more inclusive and healthier sport for those involved.
I chose this topic for many reasons. I've been dancing ballet since I was 4 years old and it wasn't until recently that I realized many issues were incorporated with the art. But after my eyes were opened to some of ballet's cruelties I couldn't close them again. I decided to take this project as an opportunity to inform myself, and hopefully others, on some of the problems behind ballet.