Well, here we are. the moment I hoped I would never have to actually see has arrived. This afternoon I read a dance article and I could hardly get through it.
Forcing away the knowledge of gender within dance will be a great detriment to dreams, programs, casting, hiring and even ticket sales.
Theaters will even be hard to fill because the things that connect hearts to characters and eyes to the harmonious marriage of movement and music, begins and ends with a beautiful woman and a strong man.
Picture Ulyana Lopatkina or Paloma Herrera making a beautiful, lifted entrance onto the stage in trousers instead of a tutu. Now imagine Carlos Acosta. He commands attention as he hits the stage and suddenly you realize he has only performed soussous, balance, hops on flat and saut de chat. You are stunned because what you are waiting on, his reason for entering the space— is to bring his male presence and athleticism to offset that of his delicate partner.
We are trying to bring everything into the art while pushing out the art. What will we have left? Classical ballet will end up meaning absolutely nothing.
Hopping on the train of gender oblivion will harm the dance world and the access to dream jobs more than people are realizing. Imagine going into a ballet company audition and there being no real standards for women. No one needs to be proficient en pointe because anyone can choose their identity and what they deem is necessary in an organization. Imagine the preference for women ballet dancers diminishing to heel lifts instead of releves, and having to now partner men. Men and women are different— the rising of a woman within a ballet and the weight of a man in a ballet are both necessary. These complements should be continually celebrated.
Think about this, what is there to say to the young girls, who have worked their way up to 1st company, has the skillset and maturity for coveted roles, only to not be considered because a man has been given a women's role. What about seasoned ballerinas? They are the ones who are being ignored and disrespected. This is not okay.
Think about the countless number of dance legends who have blazed their trail on many of stages and in many countries— transitioned as high ranking teachers only to receive students who do not respect the art form. It’s a slap in the face to the art and to those who have paved the way, tilled grounds and created endless inspiration for us all.
Holding fast to reasonable (not mean) standards is not discrimination. Men and women each have parts to play and roles to dance.
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