Today, there is a thrilling, 21st-century wave of story-driven ballets choreographed by women. What are their perspectives, and the stories they choose to tell, adding to ballet's canon?
Archives
For the First Time Ever, Dayton Ballet Has a Female Nutcracker
Madeline Schrock /
Dance Magazine
"I honestly was pretty shocked," says dancer Miranda Defoe. "But the more I thought about it, I thought, You know what? Clara's dreaming the whole thing from the battle into the Land of the Sweets. So why can't she dream of a woman saving her from the rats and taking her on this journey?"
"What is it about men in tights that makes people react so irrationally? Especially here in the U.S., men are ridiculed and demeaned for choosing to dance, particularly in ballet. Boys are bullied, called f****t and labeled as "homo," hostile charges that impale the soul."
#DancersToo: Is The Dance World Ready To Address Sexual Harassment?
Lauren Wingenroth /
Dance Magazine
"We do know some of the factors that make dance artists vulnerable: The extreme competition in the field can lead to a culture where harassment is tolerated for fear of losing a job or being black-balled. The importance of informal networking, the irregular working hours and the frequency that dancers travel with co-workers can lead to blurred lines. Dancers are often relatively young, and their short careers create added pressure to tolerate poor treatment or stay in an unsafe environment. We need strategies that address these challenges head-on.
Ashley Bouder: It’s Time For Ballet To Embrace Feminism
Ashley Boulder /
Dance Magazine