I was so thrilled to hear that a race horse – a female race horse at that – had come in second in the Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year award. Yes, thoroughbred filly Zenyatta, winner of this years Breeder’s Cup Classic, came in second, edged out by tennis star Serena Williams. A horse has never won the title.
What does this have to do with dance? Well, the fact that a horse – an animal – could be (in fact was) compared to human athletes got me to wondering…Have dancers ever been compared to human athletes? And what about our male dancers? Have they been compared to their counterparts who play other “sports”?
The other day at TDC, the kids performed in an in-house show. Julian was the only one to do a classical ballet solo. His was the shortest number as well. He danced Bluebird for all of about one minute and was just as winded as the girls who had danced for two or two and a half minutes. During his dance he did a number of “male moves” (that I can’t spell!) that involved jumping and turning. In fact, the whole solo was jumps and turns. Several parents commented on the physical nature of the solo.
I’d like to see a football or basketball player or a track star try that routine. Or rather, and more to the point, I’d just like to see male dancers recognized for the physical nature of what they do.
I’m amazed at how much strength it takes to partner a ballerina let alone to do the jumps and turns the male dancers perform. We sit in the audience and ooh and aah at the male dancers (ballet, jazz, tap, whatever…) perform, because we know what they are doing isn’t easy. In fact, it’s damn hard.
So, if a horse can be compared to human athletes…why not a male dancer to other human athletes?
I totally agree with you! Male ballet dancing is one of the most technical and physically challenging professions around.
I love reading your articles and am happy for your son. I wished I danced as a boy but in our family it was not supported. I commend you for supporting your son. Good Luck!
We had this issue brought to life here in South Africa. In 1994 the national rugby team did ballet training to improve their strength. They went on to win the Rugby World Cup the same year!
But unfortunately the majority don’t see dance (in all it’s forms) as a sport, but rather as a past-time. Again the South African rugby team was challenged by the SA Ballet Theatre to take a class in 2009, but they refused and made less than complimentary remarks about ballet (and dance for that fact) not being worthy of ‘real’ sportsmen!
It’s so unfortunate that all the hard work dancers do gets put down like that!
Love your posts, and thanks for highlighting the situation faced by the male ballet dancer.
“Conclusion: Dancers suffer considerably fewer ACL injuries than athletes participating in team ball sports. The training dancers undertake to perfect lower extremity alignment, jump, and balance skills may serve to protect them against ACL injury. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries happened most often late in the day and season, suggesting an effect of fatigue.” from:http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/36/9/1779.abstract
“Superbowl winner and former top high-hurdler Willie Gault was one such player who believed his on-field performance and resistance to injury was enhanced by ballet. Ballet has in fact been used within American football since the 1970s.” from: http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/can-athletes-dance-their-way-to-agility
2 positive articles out of many emphasizing injuries and eating disorders. I’m sure there are more positive articles, and it took me only a few minutes to find these.
Enjoy your blog very much.