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Getting Into Ballet
By James Emery Vigh of profbruno.com
My very first exposure to ballet was while I was working as an usher at Playhouse Square Center in Cleveland, Ohio. I was assigned to work "The Nutcracker" one evening. I didn't know what to think, or whether or not this was going to be something I'd like to stay and see once my seating duties were completed around 15 minutes after curtain. The theatre darkened, the conductor made his entrance and Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Overture began. Up to that point, I had occasionally listened to classical music but never really "got into it". And, like I said, I've never seen ballet before. Then the curtain went up, and I was immediately enthralled by the music, lighting and goings-on on stage. As I watched and listened, I was amazed. I didn't realize prior to this point how physical ballet was. I knew it was supposed to be elegant, but I had always associated ballet with goofy looking people in tights "prancing" on stage. How wrong I was. Over time, I worked more ballets. I saw "Swan Lake", "Romeo and Juliet" (my favorite), and numerous other productions. Liking to arrive early, I also saw many rehearsals and warm-ups. I realized what it took for a dancer to dance "on point". I realized how dangerous it was for these dancers to perform many of the moves that they make - especially on a "pas de deux" (a dance for 2, essentially). (Because of the danger involved, a small blue light is placed at the back of the theatre behind the orchestra section to provide the dancers with a visual reference point. We were instructed never to let that view become obstructed in any way.) I realized what it took to make those dangerous moves look easy and elegant. I realized how often these dancers get injured. I realized that the dedication and work that these dancers put in was for pay that was not commensurate to that dedication and effort. You have to really, REALLY love ballet to want to be a ballet dancer, because unless you become a principle dancer, or "prima ballerina" you won't be making a lot of money. You're career is also likely to be cut short by injury. And of course, there's the music. Ballet is essentially theatre without words. The plot of the story is communicated through the interpretation of the music through dance, facial expression, and body movements. The simplicity and the elegance of executing that communication is what makes ballet so special. |
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As a little girl I thought ballet was beautiful, as an adult I realized it was an amazing athletic display. And, yes, the music would having me going back every time. I think it's good to really experience the things we are so certain we won't like. I think we're often surprised as we so frequently find new things to appreicate.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
It surprised me. Now I'm a big fan. Thanks for the comment.
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