Ballet is an exquisite, timeless art form that talented ballerinas perform with poise and grace. Their entire bodies are engaged in a flow of movement that is mesmerizing to watch. Undoubtedly, every single one of these dancers has endured pain, setbacks, and endless hours in the studio rehearsing to perform their craft. Audiences get to experience polished performances on stage, but are not privy to the exhausting hours and sacrifice that went into the practices. Intriguing facts about ballet lift the curtain to show kids all of the hard work, perseverance, and dedication it take to become an accomplished ballerina. Continue reading to learn some incredible facts about ballet that shed light on the lives of professional dancers.
Ballerina Facts That Will Inspire Tiny Dancers
Ballerinas truly embody grace, elegance, and beauty. Their movements are so fluid and seemingly effortless that they're mesmerizing to watch. And then there are the costumes! The elaborate tutus, delicate pointe shoes, shimmering tiaras, and sparkling outfits are incredibly appealing, especially to kids who adore dressing up and anything that feels a bit like a fairy tale. Beyond the visual splendor, ballerinas often represent a powerful dream for many children. They see these dancers as strong, dedicated, and beautiful performers, which can be a huge inspiration to try ballet themselves. Kids will love learning the most interesting facts about ballerinas, including the years of hard work, practice, and dedication required to perform with the most prestigious ballet companies around the world.
Everything Kids Never Knew About Ballet
Children's books about ballet share the incredible stories of dancers who have worked their entire lives to perfect their skills. Tiny tots dreaming of becoming dancers will enjoy learning more about the lives of ballerinas. Perhaps they are just getting ready to start a class on their own, or still daydreaming while playing with ballerina dolls at home. Here are some incredible facts about ballet to share with your little ones next time you head out to class or to their very first performance at the theatre.
(1) Women were not allowed to join the original ballet.
Ballet originated in Italy during the 1400s but women were not allowed to dance in public until 1681. It wasn't until the 18th century when women started to dominate. Finally, with the advent of Romantic ballet in the 19th century, women became the center of attraction.
(2) Rosin is used to prevent slipping.
Rosin is the solid form of resin, the sticky substance that comes from trees. This hardened tree sap is broken down into a pattern or crystalline form. Ballerinas often apply it to the bottom of their shoes or feet to avoid slipping on a slick floor. This same substance is used by musicians to play string instruments and by baseball pitches to grip the ball better.
(3) Tutus worn by professional ballerinas are costly.
A single tutu can carry a price tag up to $2,000. The expense is attributed to the labor-intensive process of making them. Some tutus take four days to produce and almost 300 feet of material. Ballerinas have been known to use 150 tutus over the course of their career. Due to the intricate design of their tutus, they cannot be washed in between performances. Ballerinas hang up their tutus and spray them with a freshener instead.
(4) Pointe shoes require tremendous effort to be broken in.
Ballerinas often use the same shoemaker to construct each of their pointe shoes so that every pair is exactly the same. But the work doesn't end there. Once a new pair of shoes is made, the ballerina goes through a process to break them in before they can be worn. This involves shaving the sole with a razor, and smacking the pointe shoes on the floor or squeezing them in a door to soften them up. Professional ballerinas are known to burn through three pairs of pointe shoes every week! And principal dancers often need more than one pair to get through a performance.
(5) Professional ballerinas train extremely long hours for at least a decade.
Reaching a professional level in ballet typically demands 8 to 10 years of focused training. This means a dedicated dancer who starts at age seven could be ready to join a company by 17 or 18. As dancers mature and become more serious, especially in their teenage years (around ages 13-14), their weekly schedule intensifies, often involving 10 to 15 classes. These classes cover a wide range of disciplines, including ballet technique, pointe work (for women), jazz, modern, and partnering. For pre-professional students, this rigorous training can escalate to 20 to 30 hours per week by the time they're 18.
(6) The most prestigious ballet companies draw worldwide audiences.
The New York City Ballet is considered the most prestigious ballet company in the entire world. Established in 1948, the ballet is known for more modern, less traditional performances held in the Lincoln Center. The Royal Ballet in Londonis another respected company based out of the Royal Opera House. Another notable company, the National Ballet at the Opéra de Paris, is yet another reputable group of ballerinas that will impress audiences with beautiful performances.
(7) The Nutcracker was initially a big flop with audiences and critics.
Today, The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday classic, but it actually flopped when it first premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 18, 1892. Critics at the time were not impressed, finding the story confusing and the party scene excessively long. They largely felt it failed to meet the rigorous standards of classical ballet. Even Tchaikovsky, the composer, wasn't particularly fond of his own work. It wasn't until much later, especially with performances in Western countries and George Balanchine's 1954 version for the New York City Ballet, that he Nutcracker truly found its audience and blossomed into the cherished Christmas tradition it is today.
(8) A ballet performance is like running a marathon in terms of physical endurance, stamina, and energy expenditure.
In the most demanding parts of a ballet, like the rapid, jumping allegro sections or solos for principal dancers, ballerinas' heart rates can hit near-maximal levels-around 90-95% of their maximum. This is a cardiovascular workout on par with a marathon runner pushing a fast pace. Beyond just heart rate, dancers also need incredible muscular endurance. They hold incredibly precise and challenging positions for extended periods, perform intricate sequences of jumps, turns, and balances, and even lift partners, all while making it look completely effortless. That sustained physical effort is much like a marathon runner's legs consistently working for hours on end.
(9) "Merde" is similar to saying "break a leg" before a ballet performance.
In ballet, you'll often hear performers wish each other "merde!" before a show, not "good luck." This might seem odd since "merde" is actually the French curse word for "poop." It's a superstitious tradition, much like saying "break a leg!" in English theater. The most popular theory behind this unusual well-wish dates back to when horse-drawn carriages were common. A street full of horse manure outside a theater was a sign that many people had arrived to see the performance. So, lots of "merde" meant a big, appreciative, and paying audience—and thus, a successful show.
