When one mentions the word “ballet,” visions of the sugar plum fairies, sparkles, and tutus are commonly what come to mind.  Ironically, ballet is one of the most demanding forms of dance in which near perfection is crucial in achieving success.

In genres such as contemporary, jazz, lyrical, or modern, the performer is much more open to interpreting choreography how they want.  Conversely, ballet is rooted in precision. Ballet has been present since the Medici era, but it was not until the seventeenth century that the art form became a major presence in Russian society.  In 1740, the Imperial School of Ballet was founded in St. Petersburg. Schools such as this focused on having impeccable technique – toes must be pointed, feet must be turned out, heads must be aligned with necks, tailbones must be tucked under oneself. . . The list goes on and on.  

It was because of this extreme emphasis on perfection that many French and Italian choreographers found themselves traveling to Russia in an attempt to attain the best dancers for their pieces. Russian culture stresses the importance of perfection. This idea fueled the Russians to produce highly sought after dancers as well as globally recognized performances.

The success Russia attained in their pursuit of excellence in ballet is self-evident. The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake are just a few Russian-produced pieces that have become the global standard for excellence around the globe.  These pieces have stood the test of time and produced world-renowned dancers such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Anna Pavlova.  

While Baryshnikov and Pavlova were primarily trained in Russia, they eventually made their way to performing in America.  The performances of these ballet dancers are intended to appear effortless, sadly the reality is exact opposite.  Baryshnikov worked an average of six days a week for ten hours per day, as do most professional dancers.

During this time, they partake in extreme exercise techniques.  For example, it is common practice for ballet dancers to hang weights on their legs while rehearsing routines and work on “over splits” in which dancers place their front leg on a chair and hyperextend their legs during a split in order to maximize their flexibility.

Additionally, the long hours of rigorous training combined with the ever-present pressure to be “stage ready”, manifests in physical issues in the dancing world.  A maniacal focus on perfection has resulted in Anorexia and Bulimia becoming commonplace in the world of ballet.

In addition, countless hours in a studio often result in chronic pain.  Pointe shoes continuously compress and rub the feet of dancers to the point of forming large calluses and bunions. The continuous use of hairspray and bobby pains causes their hair to continuously fall out and become extremely thin.  Contrary to the glitter, tutus, tiaras, and smiles that overtake the stage during performances, what the audience does not see is the dancer’s unrivaled commitment to detail and pain that goes into these public portrayals of “perfection”.

This Russian-centric artform has deep historical roots that are one of the main prides of Russia.  Although the deceptive looks of ballet performances commonly cause people to think little of the work that goes into performances, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears are put into the development and delivery of these pieces.  This reality speaks to the nature of performers and the sacrifices that they are willing to make in order to produce an artform that is enjoyable for the audience. The now world-wide art of ballet has become a customary form of enjoyment for people of all cultures and backgrounds, but it is important to acknowledge its deep-seated roots and the fact that it embodies the true meaning of “beauty is pain.”