Ballet is often viewed as a girl’s interest. While girls are in ballet class, boys are expected to be on the soccer or rugby field. Is it wrong for boys to do ballet?
Ballet is a form of art that involves movement, costumes and music to tell stories gracefully. Ballet was introduced in the 1500s during the Italian renaissance. At first men would dress up and pose as female dancers as women were not allowed to participate in theatre. The history of ballet involved solely men.
Fast forwarding to the present, boys are faced with strong judgement and snares if they show an interest or passion for ballet. Stereotypes depict boys as “gay” or “soft”. The lack of knowledge and exposure are contributing factors to the challenges boys are faced with as aspiring ballet dancers. To be a male dancer in South Africa is rare, however, Andile Ndlovu took it upon himself to break the stigma surrounding boys in ballet.
He chose the path less travelled and is now an international ballet star and member of the Washington Ballet Company.
The typical view of ballet being delicate and graceful is challenged by Andile’s words: “Ballet is definitely for men; men bring strength”.
What a boy benefits from at the barre:
• Improved balance
• Builds strength and flexibility
• Discipline and co-ordination
• Better posture
Doing ballet as a boy should be encouraged. Teach boys to be more open-minded to the art and provide them with the required emotional support. Peer support and greater exposure of men in the industry will also help overcome the issue of gender norms in society and push more people into doing what they thought was not meant for their gender. Men are needed in all forms of dance.
