Unless you’re a dancer, or you’ve been a dancer, I can’t really imagine ballet making much sense. The idea of tutus, tights and a plotline conveyed entirely through dancing is strange—no question.
As a dancer, I’ve found people generally get hung up on the same things with ballet. In conversation, the topic usually elicits a response involving some sort of punch line about men wearing tights or a demonstration of a turn with both arms raised up in a large “O”-like shape. Occasionally the topic will get switched to football players and how they sometimes do ballet, but beyond that, non-dancers usually don’t have much else to say.
And although all of these things are true—men do wear tights, dancers do spin with their arms over head and I’m sure some football players have taken a class or two—putting the focus on any of them misses the point.
This weekend I attended the Sun Valley Ballet School’s performance of the Nutcracker and sat in the audience for the first time in years. Part way through the show, I started to understand why people do not see ballet the way dancers do.
When danced well, ballet gives the illusion that it is easy—something that requires only half a thought and a big smile. In rehearsals, dancers are told to do their best to make the steps seem simple, effortless, even weightless.
Throughout the show the audience was consistently impressed by the big lifts and delighted with the glittering costumes. However, no one seemed to take note of how many roles each senior member played, dancing scene after scene without appearing tired, or how high the arabesques at the end of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s performance were after dancing a whole solo and pas de deux.
While the audience saw graceful, composed dancers glide across the floor, I knew behind the curtains girls were trying to pant silently and keep their dripping sweat from smearing their makeup during each costume change.
Watching the Nutcracker, I had the realization that ballet is a modest sport. It requires great discipline and athleticism like many activities, but it also necessitates the ability to deceive the audience into believing it requires nothing at all.
Non-dancers don’t understand ballet because they are not supposed to. If they could know all the hard work it took just from watching a show, then the dancers would have failed. They are not supposed to be aware of the stamina it takes to dance a solo or that under those satin-covered shoes are bleeding, blistered toes.
For years I have tried to fight the jokes about ballet and defend it as a “real” sport, but after Sunday’s show, I felt a sense of pride in the misunderstanding. For any ballerinas who ever feel under-respected for what you do, just smile and know it means you do it well.
Things to Buzz about:
Sawtooth Botanical Garden Wreath Workshop—Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010
Make your own wreath with the guidance of local florist Stephanie McCord at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. All materials and decorations will be provided by the garden and after making, the wreaths are yours to keep or give. The workshop costs $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Walk-ins are welcome, but advanced reservations are preferred. Call 726-9358 to let the Sawtooth Botanical Garden know to save you a seat.
Sun Valley 75th Season Celebration—Friday, Dec. 17, 2010
Celebrate Sun Valley’s 75th ski season at Dollar Mountain with the Dollar Mountain Terrain Park Rail Jam exhibition. Watch live music starting at 3 p.m. and see the Sun Valley Representative Team hit the park at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010.
Santa Pub Crawl—Friday, Dec. 17, 2010
The bars of Ketchum invite all of-age folk out for some holiday cheer. Dress as Santa, an elf or just wear an ugly sweater and join in on the Santa Pub Crawl. Begin at the Roosevelt from 8-9 p.m., then on to the Cellar Pub from 9-9:45 p.m., the Casino from 9:45-10:30 p.m., next the Cornerstone from 10:30-11:15 p.m., the Sawtooth Club 11:15-12 a.m. and finally Whiskeys from 12-2 a.m. Drink specials available for all Santas.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical—Dec. 17-19, Dec. 22-24, 2010
See the 5th annual production of A Christmas Carol at the NexStage Theatre. Over 60 local actors come together to bring to life Charles Dickens’ timeless classic. The show runs Dec. 17-19, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. Call 726-4TKS for tickets. Prices include: $25 for general admission,$15 for children and $35 for reserved seating.
