Main image via Ballet West UK
All of us are no strangers to ballet of course; it’s one of the oldest genre of performance dance that’s been around since the 15th century!
via GIPHY
Between then and now, while choreographies have changed, and performances are now given a new splash of glitz and glamour with the aid of technology, one thing remains constant: the sacrifices that ballet dancers endure for their passion.
Here are five reasons why life as a ballet dancer isn’t as easy as you thought…
#1 It comes with all sorts of injuries
Image via The Ballet Blog
Sure, ballet doesn’t exactly qualify as an extreme sport that many automatically associate injuries with, but it’s not without its fair share of painful experiences. Dancers who practise ballet know all too well that they are often at risk of bunions, blisters, knee pains, slip discs, bone fractures, and tendinitis. And that’s just naming a few.
#2 It literally takes up ALL of their time
Image via Ballet West UK
As with many things in life, getting good at something requires practice, and practice takes a lot of patience and time. But unlike many things, ballet is something that literally requires all your time if you ever plan on getting yourself on a stage in front of a crowd. Which is why so many start when they are kids!
#3 The anxiety is real
Image via Ballet West UK
We’re not just talking about the anxiety born from the pressure to give the best performance on stage. We’re talking about off-stage anxiety as well. Sometimes, all it takes is one bad practice session or a bad fall to end a ballet dancer’s career.
#4 Maintaining a well-balanced diet
Image via Ballet West UK
Like the moves they perform, everything has to be precise when it comes to ballet. It is not just about looking good on the outside, but it is equally important to achieve greatness on the inside as well. Thus, a ballet dancer is required to adhere to a well-balance diet so that they are always at their best, both physically and mentally.
#5 Shoes, shoes and more shoes
Image via Ballet West UK
One might think it’s ridiculous to compare ballet to F1, and for the most part, they are right; but one aspect of ballet is the same as racing: the dancers burn through their shoes quickly. A dancer’s pair of shoes in a full ballet performance such as Swan Lake has a lifespan of 12 to 15 hours only! That means a whopping 500 pairs of shoes used for an entire show production!
But all of these sacrifices are not for nothing, because the end result is a graceful art that’s both inspiring and captivating.
You don’t have to take our word for it, just make yourselves available from 24th to 26th August 2018 and 31st August to 2nd September 2018, and head over to Genting International Showroom and witness for yourself for the Swan Lake by Ballet West, an Asia Premiere featuring a full cast from the United Kingdom!
If you’re a passionate dancer with a strong understanding of classical ballet techniques, then you should also check out the International Masterclass by Ballet West International Touring Company and The Dance Company together with DAI and Resorts World Genting!
Happening on 22 till 24 August 2018 and 30 August 2018 from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm, the masterclass acts as a platform for Malaysians to showcase their talents and meet world-class coaches who have previously worked with names such as George Balanchine and Margot Fonteyn.
The International Masterclass is also your once-in-a-lifetime chance to be talent scouted for their future international productions and tours!