User:Kwomack97/sandbox

Articles of Interest

I am interested in Western Stereotypes of Male Ballet Dancers. The article only gives an American view on ballet dancers and not other countries. I could help expand this page by doing research on other countries views of male ballet dancers.

History of Ballet


 * Italian and French Court
 * Showed power and position
 * Louis XIV
 * star dancers until early 19th century


 * 1) you shouldn't tell boys they can't dance & Sorry I Don't Dance

Ballet was started in Italian and French courts during the fifteenth century. During this time graceful and delicate characteristics were a sign of power. Many noblemen started dancing ballet to demonstrate their position in society. Louis XIV of France founded Académie Royal de Danse. It was the first ballet school. Men were considered the stars of ballet until the nineteenth century, when women were pushed into more of the spot light. A couple different factors influenced this shift. First, audience members changed when ballet moved from taking place in palaces to stages. Second, there was a cultural shift that created more ethereal themes.

Expectations and performance


 * how to perform (characteristics)
 * feminine quality of movement (how viewed)


 * 1) Dance and gender an evidence based approach & Male ballet dancers and their performances...

Male ballet dancers are often looked down upon because of the idea that ballet is feminine. There are a couple different ways male ballet dancers go about combating this idea. Male ballet dancers take on different movement characteristics and different technique compared to their female counter parts. Men are expected to have movement that is strong and powerful. They are also expected to be good solid bases that can lift a person. Within the dance world words like strong, proud, and in control were used to describe a good male ballet dancer. A good female dancer was described as timid, modest, and light. Male ballet dancers perform more athletic technique. Men focus more on leaps and jumps and are expected to get more height and power in their technique.

Within the dance world there is a strong push for male ballet dancers to have masculine characteristics. They are often told to dance like a man from a young age. Male dancers that have feminine movement qualities are usually looked down on. They are often described as weak, fragile, and out of place.

Ways to Change Perspective


 * strategies & programs
 * media


 * 1) Dance & Gender... & You Shouldn't tell boys...

One strategy used to combat the stereotypical attitudes is to discuss the social constructs of gender within dance education. There have also been programs like “Boys Dancing” that oppose the idea that boys should not dance. Media can also help change the perspective on male ballet dancers. After the movie Billy Elliot released in 2000, in dance classes there was a dramatic increase in male enrollment. For example, more boys than girls were admitted in the Royal Ballet School which had never been done before. Reality shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance have also impacted enrollment rates in a positive way. Many students credit these shows as the spark to start dancing and study ballet.