Ballet on Television!

Before I dive into the heart of this post, let me take a minute to introduce myself. My name is Alyssa. I am one of the marketing and communications interns and I am thrilled to be part of the BalletMet team for the summer.  As of yesterday, I am a graduate of THE Ohio State University with a BFA in dance and a minor in arts entrepreneurship. This statement is normally followed with ever present questions such as, “So, what’s next for you?” or (my personal favorite) “A dance major?? So…what do you want to do with that?” Well, to be perfectly honest, I’m still figuring that out for myself. What I do know is that dance will continue to be a part of my life for a very long time. I may not be sure what the future holds for me, but I could not be happier with my decision to major in dance. Yes, many assume that a dance major means getting credit for prancing around like a fairy and stretching all day, but I know quite different. The knowledge, discipline, and experience I have gained in these past four years are invaluable to me.

As a Columbus native, I have always admired the work BalletMet is doing, both on the stage and in the community. Having been on the performance side of dance for quite some time now, I am very excited to learn about the administrative and marketing aspects of dance. Now that you know a little bit about me, let’s turn our attention to the recent boom ballet is making in television!

Until recently, most dance on television has been commercialized with contests and celebrities. Does this mean there is no room for the timeless art of classical ballet on television? Upcoming shows and documentaries such as “Breaking Pointe”, “Bunheads”, and FIRST POSITION say differently. These shows are giving real life insight into the different aspects of being a classical ballet dancer. This gives audiences who are used to popular shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” a new appreciation for classical dance. These shows are aiming to break the notion of ballet being old-fashioned and outdated. Let’s face it; a good majority of people in the U.S. do not attend classical ballets on a regular basis. Seeing ballet on modern day television may give classical dance performances the boost in attendance we’d all like to see.

The CW recently premiered “Breaking Pointe”, a reality show following the behind the scenes operations of Salt Lake City company, Ballet West. The show focuses on the dedication, vigor, and strength it takes to be a professional ballet dancer by following the dancers in class and rehearsals. In addition to life inside the studio, the dancers’ social lives are also documented, focusing on their relationships with one another and how they manage their careers as dancers. You can even watch full episodes on the CW website! The ABC Family original series “Bunheads” is also set to premiere on June 11th (as in tonight!!), focusing on a Las Vegas dancer who ends up taking a position at a ballet school. The series will follow her growth as a teacher and journey with the students. Episodes of this will also be available online.

And let's not forget to check out the upcoming documentary, FIRST POSITION at BalletMet night on June 14^th at 7:30 PM at the Drexel movie theater. This film follows six young ballerinas on their journey to the Youth American Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world. Their sacrifices, dedication, and perseverance give the dancers a glimpse into the life of a professional ballerina. Call (614) 231-1050 for tickets, or visit http://www.drexel.net/.

Now let’s give it up for ballet making it on the big screen. Bravo, ballet. Bravo!

-Alyssa-