This has been an easy week, since Julian was still sick and stayed home from dance until time for choreography-again-on Friday and Saturday. Turns out the bronchitis was probably a virus, and it’s taking a long time for the cough to go away. He is still coughing up a storm and two days of choreography didn’t really help. We’ll stick with our herbal supplements and Usana vitamins and hope for the best.
(By the way, if you are looking for the best vitamins on the market, try Usana. Contact my sister-see the link on this blog-and tell her I sent you in the comment box! Julian used to be sick every 6-8 weeks. Then I put him on Usana vitamins. Now he only gets sick about twice a year! The last time he was on an antibiotic for a general virus was last April. I’m not counting that weird episode with relapsing fever, caused by a mouse tick bite, last summer.)
Julian was a bit peeved to discover that the choreography being put on the group of dancers chosen for this particular concert number originally was cast with a male dancer at its center, but instead of using him for this role, teh choreographer chose a girl. This is not the first time that a choreographer has wanted to use someone to do lifts and not even looked at Julian.
He definitely could not have been chosen for this part because of abililty. This particular choreographer is an awesome teacher and choreographer who knows her stuff. He’s lucky to be in her number. Could it also be possible that the problem lies in the fact that Julian is slight. Although he has grown about eight inches since July and is now about 5’6″, he looks slender and weak. The fact of the matter is that he actually is quite strong. Not only has Pilates class each week given him strength (and a 4-pack…), but he has always been pretty strong. He can lift all the girls (including the heavier ones) in the company pretty easily, and he also lifts the girls at Los Gatos Ballet during partnering class with little problem. Yet, he isn’t seen as “strong.”
I wonder how many other young male dancers are seen as “weak” just because they are slender and small? And I wonder why choreographers don’t at least ask them to try a lift before passing over them? Wouldn’t it be appropriate to let them audition for the part? Instead, these boys are possbily being judged on appearances and not being given a chance to show what they can do. I agree with Julian: That doesn’t seem fair — if that’s the case.
But I’m just the mom. What do I know, right?
I wouldn’t be too eager to have him partnering at his age, especially considering his build. As a parent of a male dancer, partnering too soon is something I have been cautioned against repeatedly.
Partnering at a young age can be quite dangerous for the boys as they are still dealing with growth spurts, and during these times, are more susceptible to injury. This might be what the concerns are regarding your son in this particular role.
My son is a residential student at one of the big name ballet schools, and they don’t even start partnering class until grade 10 (age 15-16). I believe that first year is just supported adagio, so they are practicing things like promenades and supported pirouettes, etc. The big lifts come later, in grades 11 and 12, when the boys are physically and technically mature enough to safely practice them.
This is a great question to ask at ABT this summer, if you get a chance to speak with his teacher or director there. š
Totally off-topic, but the “possibly related posts” deal at the the bottom of your entry is pretty funny today!
Best,
BT