Ballet Dance Research Paper

Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts in the 15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread, highly technical form of dance. Ballet dance work consists of the choreography and music for a ballet production. This is a sport in which the appearance of each member is greatly noticed as it is a visual art form. It is very demanding one that requires years of training. Even with years of practice, it is still necessary for the athletes to be extremely strong, and have significant amounts of stamina. For the dancers to be strong, they will have to look muscular and built. Despite this, the ballet companies often want their dancers

Ballet breeds perfectionists. Dancers face many psychological issues that can interfere with any athlete’s performance, such as anxiety. Because in this sport the dancer’s body is the instrument, the dancers will often turn too much of their attention towards it in a negative way. A little perfectionism can be good so the dancers will maintain a healthy build, but too much and the dancers become so focused on technique, expectations, and mistakes that they cannot enter the flow of the dance itself. Body image issues start very early in ballet and when companies create extreme expectations for their dancers, this can cause great mental instabilities in them. Imagine spending hours at a time in nothing but a leotard and tights, surrounded by mirrors and thin girls. When recently asked whether they believed the body and look standards, set in place by each individual company, are necessary, professional ballerinas and broadway stars Sarah and Leigh-Ann Esty had their own experiences to share with me. Sara confirmed that is important for each company to have a unified feel about it, but then when on to say that she did not believe it necessary to be determined by body type. She shared how she had seen companies not let certain body types into maintain their personal preference. Leigh-Ann elaborated on this, sharing her own experience at her most recent ballet company saying, “I see so many people, myself being one of them, become victims in this category...constantly judged by what they looks like, how flexible they are, and so on.” She agreed that these judgements create huge physiological body complexes. Both sisters agreed in saying dancers should be able to enjoy their art form, and express themselves without being judged, but ballet companies want to be known for producing beautiful, delicate, and feminine ballerinas (Sara and Leigh-Ann Esty).