When I meet someone for the first time and mention that I used to be a professional ballet dancer I have received the typical response, "oh, that's interesting". However lately, as soon as I mention my former career, the first thing I hear is "Wow, did you see Black Swan? Is ballet really like that?" I have even heard from a company recently performing Swan Lake, that a patron called in asking if there would be a lesbian sex scene on stage. Now I will admit that, yes, I did see the film, and yes, I did think that it was done quite well. It was exciting, dramatic and at some points quite suspenseful. The film has done a terrific job generating curiosity about ballet, an art form which many time receives the reputation of being "boring". It has also helped promote ticket sales for ballet companies all over the world, which is an added benefit. But is the world of ballet the same as it is in the film? Not quite.
For years, the stereotypical ballerina has had an eating disorder, been slightly unstable and has been known to maintain a childlike demeanor. Hollywood has capitalized on this image and depicted dancers as people who succumb to sexual harassment for the advancement of their art. After spending over eight years in the professional ballet world, I would like to set the record straight as to what a professional career entails. First off, despite what the films present as the truth, most dancers do not have an eating disorder. Thirty or forty years ago, "dancer" might have been synonymous with "anorexia or bulimia" but things have changed. The ethereal-thin look epitomized by George Balanchine in the 1960's and 70's, is no longer the norm. While companies still prefer thin dancers to emphasize the lines of the body, they tend towards thin and healthy dancers. If a dancer does not have a high enough caloric intake, there is no way for them to keep up with today's physically demanding choreography and rehearsal schedule. Yes, they might succeed for a while but ultimately, they will not be able to perform to their best capability.
Black Swan also portrays dancers as being somewhat mentally unstable and childish. I will admit, I have met several dancers who take their art to an all-encompassing extreme and as a result of their addiction, do become slightly crazed. However, the percentage of dancers today who fit into this category is no higher than any other profession. Come on, admit it. We all know someone who we think is slightly off their rocker. Some would also say that dancers are more childish than people in other professions. Again, this is a stereotype of dancers in the 70's, not of dancers in the 21st century. This stereotype is based off of the fact that many dancers used to go right from high school into a professional company. Some, such a Kyra Nichols and Gelsey Kirkland, barely finished high school before beginning their careers. This jump from adolescence into a profession arena where they were constantly treated as children reinforced the childish demeanor, especially female dancers. In recent years, many dancers understand the importance of education because a dance career is so short. Without an education, dancers have nothing to do once they retire except teach. Many of the dancers that I have encountered over the years have either graduated from a university already or are pursuing a college education part time in addition to their daily rehearsals. Pursuing a degree, especially one outside of ballet, has helped dancers to become worldly citizens with opinions and minds of their own.
One of the biggest problems for me during the film was the way Natalie Portman's character, Nina, allowed her director to "feel her up" and essentially sexually molest her as a means of furthering her art. Let me assure you, this does not happen in any professional company. Yes, we are dressed in tight, form fitting leotards and tights all day, and we day have intimate contact with each other especially during pas de deuxs. But a director would never act the way that Vincent Cassel's did towards a dancer. Dancers have the same amount of respect and professionalism afforded to them that anyone would expect in an office setting. We may be more intimately friendly with one another due to the nature of the art and the amount of time spent together during rehearsals, but for the most part, certain lines are not crossed.
All I ask, as one who lived in the professional ballet world for years, is to take the film with a grain of salt. If it moves you to watch a ballet for the first time-fantastic! But if not, don't group ballet dancers into the stereotype that the film portrays.
Tara Formanek - Hello! I am a retired professional ballerina living and working in San Diego. I have recently decided to go back to school to pursue a ...
