This week, we were lucky enough to visit a class at the Academy of Dance, the official school of the Joffrey Ballet. The girls were achingly beautiful, and we were spellbound as they stretched and practiced. I could have stayed for days. See more photos here.
New York Magazine just featured a really sweet story about the three boys who play Billy Elliot on Broadway. They are incredibly talented, but they're all terrified that their voices will drop or they'll have a growth spurt, since then they wouldn't be able to play the young character anymore. One boy said, "My mom used to measure me up against the wall and put the pencil at an angle to make me look taller. Now she squishes my head down to make me smaller." Aw, I just want to give them big hugs. The ballet world is so beautiful but can be so brutal. Read the story here.
When I was growing up, I was obsessed with Children of Theatre Street, a documentary about Russian ballet students who board at their school and dance all day long. (Also, they can't eat ice cream until they retire!) It's amazing how dedicated they are and sad how much pressure they're under. These stunning photos by Rachel Papo give a sense of that.
Are there certain things that can completely inspire you in a matter of seconds? I danced for years growing up, and my heart still skips a beat when I see stunning feet like these. Oh, those arches!
I think I'll go to a ballet this summer. I'll wear a dress with these flats or these and pretend that I'm a dancer on her day off.
