Meesnell

I just briefly scanned over this thread, and I have mixed feelings. I agree with not sharing information about other dancers' physical ailments, injuries, etc. over whatever desired media outlet. That is a violation of HIPAA law. I work in the healthcare industry, and intentionally disclosing someones personal information without his or her consent (as innocent as it may be) is a federal crime, with fees and jail time and lose of license... not good. The evolution of technology is making life more difficult yet easy at the same time, Paradoxical... But, the brief part I read about changing the Chinese Tea and Arabian Coffee in the Nutcracker... That's chancging a tradition thats been that way for how many hundred years, and didnt offend anyone.... now everyones too worried about being politically correct, to the point we WILL become "IBM Machines" lol, i like how I tied two different threads together at the end Well, thats my take... Meesh "It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer."

"IBM Machines" Personally, I would have metaphorically described the NYCB ballerinas as (insert latest Apple invention not yet available to the public)... but that's just me. I know ballet, and I am always wanting to know more about everything it entails.. which includes reading and contemplating certain ideas, theories, etc, that make me uncomfortable. This brief exsert from an article is one of those. However, I do know that in order to have an inteligent conversation about a topic one is passionate about, one must also study some aspects of that topic that make him or her feel uncomfortable, thus he or she is better prepared to discuss without getting defensive. I see the authors point... especially if I pretend to have the average American knowledge of ballet. To a observer, ballerinas do look very similar. They walk the same, hold their bodies the same, and hell... dance the same. The streamlining of the pointe shoe fitting process for company members, by G.B. freed up time for the dancers to actually dance and train. This, most likely, led to the streamlining of the dancer as well... not a bad thing. In fact, contrary to the author's statement about ballerinas being "indistinguishable", the professionally fit/made pointe shoes provided to modern ballet companies has created that much MORE DISTINGUISHABLE dancers. Dancers, that have time to perfect their craft, as opposed to hunching over pointe shoes entangled in thread and satin ribbon... The dancers put on the shoes, knowing immediately they are perfect, and they start rehearsing their kitri or giselle right away. And, its only logical that with the insanely busy schedules dancers have, that having already "ready to wear" shoes at the drop of a hat, would benefit all. This leaves room for a soloist to perhaps get injured on tour time to recover, because the understudy is just as prepared because shes not frantically safety pinning elastic to her shoes. Which actually leads me to another thought... the need the audience has for "more"... More fouettes, more rotations... The audience is always wanting new, more, bigger, newer, etc... I suppose it's a human instinct... With this almost impossible demand coming from ballet doers, the ballerina HAD to be streamlined to please them, meeting their seeminglly unattainable expectations! Yeah! It's all their fault! lol Anyways, thats my take Meesh "It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer."

Heyo Obviously, as stated in the topic title, I am new... and I am elated! I started ballet at age 4, I couldn't play sports because I am considered legally blind. I received a recessive specific gene from both parents, thus resulting in the production of me. Ok, enough genetics. Anyways, so I have been trained in classical ballet, and not much liked any other form of dance outside that realm. I recently picked up a beautiful hardback copy of Natalia Makarova's book, mainly for the breath taking photos, but also to read. I finished the entire book in one night, and spent the next day googling, and youtubing all these wonderful topic. I was like a kid in a candy store when google continued to bring up your sight with answers to my searches! This is a very well managed and monitored website, with a wealth of information from what sounds to be very knowledgable people, not just in dance agendas, but all art and intellectual topics. This is an oasis of intelligence compaired to some other forums about """ballet""" I have had the pleasure of wasting my time reading. Thank you, and I can't wait to start getting to know some of you better. Do not hesitate to ask for my email to chat more directly, as I am not a "new member" yet Take care Meesh "It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer."