“Ballet,” said George Balanchine, “is woman.” Throughout his long choreographic career, he placed the ballerina at the center of the action, and all eyes were on her. There are numerous examples, from Mozartiana to Theme and Variations, Square Dance and Chaconne. In this sense, Balanchine was carrying on the tradition of Marius Petipa and other […]

New York City Ballet has an image problem. Despite having the moniker of one of the most diverse cities on the planet, the company regularly comes under fire for its lack of diversity. A perception of overbearing whiteness has plagued the institution, often acting as a cultural barrier for prospective students and audiences. Over the […]

When we first announced in December that the International Association of Blacks in Dance was hosting its inaugural ballet audition for women of color, the reactions were mixed. Readers took to social media and beyond to dialogue with the dance community. Some praised IABD’s initiative. Others concluded that, unfortunately, auditions of this kind were necessary […]

ADI’s research indicated a need for more role models to help solve ballet’s diversity problem. Here, Ashley-Hannah Davis teaches students at Ballet Memphis’ school. Photo by Louis Tucker, Courtesy Ballet Memphis. Diversity is a hot-button topic in today’s dance world. It’s often linked to conversations about the rise of Misty Copeland, and there have been many notable outreach efforts, such as Charlotte Ballet’s […]