Essay Example about Issues in the Dance Industry

Do you ever wonder about the environment of the ballet world behind the scenes? Truthfully, it is quite gruesome and different than it is presented to the public. There are many issues in the professional and training aspects of ballet including lack of diversity, body dysmorphia and eating disorders, self-doubt, unreasonable standards, and outdated stereotypes. Ballet appears to be elegant and perfect, but behind the curtain there is an unpleasant, brutal, and damaging reality that has long term effects on the way dancers view themselves and the world around them. 

Starting off, dancers experience extreme physical activity on the daily that really takes a toll on their physical and mental health. Dancers will go lengths to be as close to perfection as possible. They will dance to their max ability majority of the time and will push through even if it leads to a potential career-ending injury (Holmes). Ballerinas tend to keep their thoughts and opinions silent even if they are struggling because otherwise they will be perceived as weak; a major flaw in the dance community. Jenifer Ringer, a former member of the New York City Ballet, speaks for herself and many others when she says, "I didn't like speaking up, I liked pleasing people" (Ringer, 117). Many are trained to "nod & smile" in all situations, and to not break the character of a secure dancer. Realistically, most people understand no one is perfect, but in the ballet industry this mindset of perfection is just one of its many imperfections. While rehearsing and performing, dancers feel obligated to only display their best to the public in fear of having others think of them as incapable. 

In addition, the diligent work dancers put in each day is so demanding it can be harsh. There is often a great deal of information and steps to learn in a short amount of time, and they may be dancing up to 40 ballets each season (58). They rehearse long daunting days with minimal breaks which can lead to more injuries (which they will continue to dance on because of the pressure they are under). Ballet is so physically challenging, but it is critical that one makes it look easy and flawless (48). Often a dancer will have to fill in for another injured or busy dancer, even if it means learning an entire new ballet the day of presentation. They are then expected to perform it with perfection in front of 2,500+ people in the audience (64). After a long day of attempting to be perfect, they are quite drained and it is essential they get some rest. "After nine or ten hours of dancing in pointe shoes, my feet and ankles would be swollen and achy when I got home"(68). The insane amount of hours dancers spend on their toes have a large impact on the wellbeing of their bodies.

It is expected that a ballerina begins training at a very young age. Ballet dancers who begin at a later age are often looked down upon because it takes a lot of time and practice to master ballet steps (22). Throughout a dancer's career, they face constant criticism and harsh/negative comments. Many dancers have the thought that "It seemed that no matter how hard I trained, some people would never be happy" (171). The standards in the dance world are set so high and impractically that they are nearly impossible to meet. In addition to the standards, the ballet industry is severely competitive and hurts many dancers' self-esteem. Ringer says, "I thought I was good enough, but now I wasn't so sure" (51) after looking around at other dancers and doubting herself. Everyone is fighting to be the best and most perfect in a sport where it is impossible to do so. Despite the decrease in self-esteem, often dancers won't quit because they are afraid to. Training consistently for so many years, they don't know any other lifestyle. Especially when the dancer was previously so passionate about dancing, it's hard to leave something even if it is hurting them (88). Dancing is supposed to bring joy, but many times ends up bringing discouraging and upsetting mindsets into dancers. 

Lastly, and most prominent, the body expectations and standards are very unrealistic and have led to unhealthy mindsets in many dancers; there is also a major lack of diversity in all areas. "A lot of people think that ballet dancers should all look the same: thin and delicate, with white skin" (Copeland, 25). This is often brought up as dancers are looking for positions in ballet companies or school, and they are turned down with this feedback. Dancers who are considered "overweight" will be blatantly denied from a role/school because of it (Ringer, 98), "thinness is prized on the ballet stage"(9).

  When a ballerina is constantly hearing statements about their body and they are expected to look a certain way, they may develop eating disorders to satisfy directors with an "ideal" body, even if it is unhealthy. Realistctly, there is nothing ideal about an eating disorder as it destroys one's mindset and physical health. The fact that ballet is focused on appearance contributes to ideas of body dysmorphia and feeling the need to look different. Additionally, the mirror is a major tool in the dance studio which constantly has numerous dancers eyeing themselves in it; the use of the mirror with the idea of wanting a thin body in their head develops an unhealthy mentality. Ringer speaks about her personal experience with body dysmorphia and says, "my self-image was skewed, and I didn't look realistically at my body"(80). 

When a dancer is brave enough, they will come forward and share their story about being openly body shamed by companies and directors. Kathryn Morgan danced in New York City Ballet for many years as a soloist. In 2012, she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism causing her to gain weight. This was the lead to her departure from NYCB as she was told she no longer had a "ballerina body" (Barnette, paragraph 3). Not long after, Morgan joined Miami City Ballet as a soloist and was often praised for her work. She soon noticed she was constantly being removed from roles before performance. The director of MCB, Lourdes Lopez, has been exposed for body shaming Morgan and many other dancers in MCB, and for telling Morgan she "couldn’t be a true inspiration until she got back on the stage “looking like a ballerina". These words are crushing to hear, and destroy one's passion. Many lose their love and passion for dance after experiencing or witnessing body shaming in the dance community. "We internalize the message that we are not welcome in Ballet, that our bodies are not respected, not considered worthy or beautiful, and that no matter how hard we work or how precise our technique becomes, according to the ballet "greats" of the world, we never truly belong. Toxic ballet culture hurts EVERYONE" (Holmes). 

Many young dancers look up into the ballet world for hope and inspiration. Teaching the upcoming generations the outdated body standards affects all types of dancers (Holmes, paragraph 10). The toxic stereotypes have been so heavily set that many can't see outside that frame. There is the standard of the "ballet body", which puts so many dancers down, but if there were a little more diversity many dancers would be offered more opportunities (Holmes). Another stereotypical issue in dance is the idea that each individual should not seek help as that shines a light on imperfections. Needing help is inevitable, everyone needs a hand at one point or another. Morgan explains, "We're all starving for this perfect illusion and any talk of having a mental health issue, or a body issue, if you're struggling in any way - sort of pops the balloon of the perfect illusion "(Morgan, 2020).

In conclusion, there are several issues in the dance industry that need to be fixed. The lengthy and intense hours can physically and mentally negatively impact dancers on a daily basis by implanting ideas of body dysmorphia and doubt in their minds, as well as physical damage to their bodies including injuries and eating disorders. The stereotypes and lack of diversity is a prevalent issue in the ballet world and dancers are being discriminated against for multiple reasons simply because of outdated standards. Ballet is a beautiful art that is persecuted with perfection, however behind the curtain there are many flaws in the ballet industry. 

Works Cited:

Barnett, Charlotte. “Dancers Say It's Time to Talk about Ballet Companies That Body-Shame.” Observer, Observer, 30 Nov. 2020, https://observer.com/2020/11/ballet-companies-body-shaming-kathryn-morgan/. 

Copeland, Misty. Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina. Aladdin, 2014. 

Holmes, Hannah. “Toxic Ballet Culture Hurts Everyone.” Wonder of Ballet, 11 Oct. 2020, https://www.wonderofballet.com/2020/10/toxic-ballet-culture.html#:~:text=We%20 internalize%20the%20message%20 that,Toxic%20 ballet%20culture%20 hurts%20 EVERYONE. 

Ringer, Jenifer. Dancing through It: My Ballet Journey. Penguin Books, 2014.