Sascha Radetsky has written a stellar article in this week’s Newsweek that deals with the stereotype of the male dancer, and the pre-conceived notions that surround the profession.
How do you all feel about the ’stereotype’ of the male dancer? Do they embody strength and power, or the opposite?
I personally feel that the profession has made me stronger, physically and emotionally, than any other profession would have. The dedication, discipline, and sheer strength you need, topped off with the look of ease on stage, cancels out many men. And as Sascha put it “fus[ing] dynamic movement and storytelling with the grandeur of a full live orchestra.”
How many people can say that about their jobs?
Sascha can.
© Nathan Perkel for Newsweek
Don’t Judge Me By My Tights
Being a male dancer means battling many stereotypes. But the rewards of my job are limitless.
By Sascha Radetsky | NEWSWEEK
Mar 17, 2008 Issue | Updated: 1:15 p.m. ET Mar 8, 2008
My business attire is a pair of tights. All right, there it is. I wear makeup onstage, and some of my colleagues are gay. Can we move on now? Can we leave behind the tired male-ballet-dancer stigma—that ballet is not a masculine pursuit—in order to move toward an appreciation of the athleticism and artistry involved in this line of work?
On an average day at the job, I handle lithe, lovely women, engage in duels and delight in the experience of an exotic locale. I move like a gymnast or martial artist and embody the vilest of pimps or the most chivalrous and passionate of lovers. I constantly expand the borders of my physical capabilities, and I hone my mind to a quick-learning, focused edge. Come 8 p.m., I’ll fuse dynamic movement and storytelling with the grandeur of a full live orchestra.
Yes, I’m proud of my profession. Yet I find myself slightly guarded when I tell people what I do. Like some sort of incurable blight, the male-dancer stereotype has taken root and metastasized in our cultural consciousness. Pioneers like Baryshnikov or Nureyev might have opened some minds, but their days have long passed, and despite the noble efforts of a handful of current ballet leaders to expose fresh audiences to our art form, a whole new generation looks at male dancing with skewed vision. Some of my peers are foreigners; in many other countries male dancers are held in higher esteem. I studied in Russia for a year and always marveled at the way Russians celebrated their artists, whether their medium was dance, music or the written word. But I’m American, and I want to live in my own country, as a dancer, with some respect.
The most irritating aspect of the male-dancer stereotype is the underlying insinuation that we in some way lack strength of character or a courageous spirit. Male and female, all dancers undergo strenuous training from a very young age, and constantly wrestle with injuries and fatigue. But male dancers must possess a special type of will and fortitude if they are to become professionals, for, like fish swimming upstream, we have to fight through the current of thinly veiled contempt that much of society harbors for our chosen path. In our culture, girls are encouraged to take ballet; boys receive no such endorsement, except of course from ballet teachers or exceptionally supportive parents. The boy who perseveres in dance must have a genuine hunger for it, must be uniquely motivated and dedicated, and must develop a truly thick skin.
I started taking ballet when I was 5. My open-minded parents thought it was a good way to channel my rambunctious behavior. A few years later I was hooked. I loved the physicality and, of course, the girls, but I also learned that not everyone recognized the value of dance the way I did. I don’t remember the first fight I got into for being a kid who took ballet, but I remember fighting a lot before I realized that maybe I should keep my extracurricular activities to myself. But ballet was rewarding enough to be worth a fat lip or a black eye, and I emerged from my years of dance training more focused than ever. My background is not unusual among my American colleagues—they share similar stories of discouragement, harassment and even violence. But these experiences served to harden resolve and develop courage, and I know I can always count on several of my dancer buddies for steadfast support—they got my back! Ironically, the stereotype of the sissy male dancer has given rise to a male dancer who is anything but.
It’s frustrating that I feel obliged to extol the virtues and describe the rigors of my profession. I’d just like to make it known that the path of the male dancer isn’t necessarily easy—as with any truly worthwhile endeavor—but the rewards can be limitless. I feel lucky to have discovered a vocation that has allowed me to glimpse the great depth of human potential, both physical and mental, and has given me the opportunity to bring joy to so many people in so many places. I feel there is honor in the arts, in the world of dance, in the realm of male ballet dancing.
Exposure to ballet is all that is needed to open minds, for the combination of athletic movement, ardent drama and beautiful music can instill a profound appreciation in an audience. But for you out there who still feel compelled to malign male dancers with half-truths and petty stereotypes, well, maybe we need to step outside. I’ll leave my tights on.
Radetsky lives in New York City.
© 2008
SanderO
Great article by Sasha. I think that, the stereotype of the not complete macho male applies to all males in the arts. There will be occasional macho male like Hemingway or Mailer, but the arts are stereotyped as “clean” analytical and mostly about beauty the human condition.
Frankly, who cares about “macho” these days? I find both male and female dancers to be the embodiment of the human in its most perfect visual form, both static and in movement. To accomplish this is, puts them in a very special place.
And we, as a society, are the better for their hard work and dedication.
Mar 11, 2008 @ 11:50
Emily
It’s sad that there is still a stigma for male dancers in the US. Most male dancers are alot stronger than football players! I applaud your courage, Sasha.
Mar 11, 2008 @ 13:32
Tania
Wow, what an articulate, beautifully-written article! How great for Sascha.
And that picture is so perfect.
Mar 11, 2008 @ 13:42
Emily H.
Great article! I agree that it is sad that American male ballet dancers are viewed with the stigma that they are. I’ve danced ballet for 14 years and although injury kept me from being able to turn it into a career I have remained passionate about ballet. I’ve tried with all of my might to get my husband to attend the ballet with me - even stating that he should go because he should know how important it is to me. He still wont. I know he holds that stigma too. But, I also know if he would only go and experience it once, he would have a much different view of male ballet dances and would probably attend the ballet with me more often. If only there were a way to expose people to ballet more often…without them knowing
My greatest heros and idols have always been the stars of ABT - including Sasha. If only a sense and love of culture could be injected into American society we would be a lot better off in the end. Many thanks, Sasah, for your courage, drive and your beautiful dancing!
Mar 11, 2008 @ 13:44
Maria
I thought this was an interesting article and it’s nice to see such a mainstream publication giving attention to dance. However, as women have struggled to gain parity in many of the professional fields, my heart doesn’t go out to men in dance too much. If anything, men face much less competition that women in the dance world. I recently wrote a commentary about that article, so rather than rewriting my thoughts, here’s a link to it.
Mar 11, 2008 @ 14:51
Laura
Just an FYI - it might be copyright infringement to copy and paste the entire article onto your Blog….
Mar 11, 2008 @ 19:56
xtanzer
I guess it’s a man’s world….
Men Are Just Happier People– What do you expect from such simple creatures such as we? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. . New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.
Mar 11, 2008 @ 22:03
Rob
Maria, I understand what you’re saying, but the MY TURN article isn’t about the men in the dance world, it’s about male dancers in American society at large. To be a guy in the US today and dance, it’s definitely not something that’s accepted, and thus, not shared. Heck, very few people at my job know that I take ballet at a local studio, and the few that do or have been told, get “the look” on their faces as they process the information, and then come the questions. And if that’s just if you take it recreationally, I can barely imagine the reactions I’d get if I was professional. It’s definitely not same reaction that you’d recieve saying you work at a chef, commerical artist, etc. Heck, it’s probably radically different then if a woman tells someone she’s a professional dancer. Sascha’s dead on about that sterotype that’s taken fold in the collective consciousness, and that needs to be addressed so dance can be correctly viewed a a valid and viable career choice for men.
Mar 12, 2008 @ 00:36
tonya
But really, how angry are you at women, xtanzer?
Mar 12, 2008 @ 01:28
jennifer
this is such a great article, yay for sascha. i got in a discussion with a friend who’s a swimmer; she insists that a guy in a speedo looks (in her eyes) so much better than guys in tights, even though a speedo exposes more skin. how skewed our eyes and perceptions are!
my two cents: i think guys in ballet are really hot!
Mar 12, 2008 @ 04:25
GraciaMichelle
“Ironically, the stereotype of the sissy male dancer has given rise to a male dancer who is anything but.”
Wait wait wait…
So in a way… We have the BULLIES to thank for part of the strength of male ballet dancers, for toughening them up just a bit more…?
Anyway, I do think that at some point you just have to accept that not everyone can admire or even respect what you do. Those who have an interest in ballet are definitely aware of what it entails, but sadly not everyone knows/loves ballet!
I think that this is the same for ALL professions: lawyers that are supposed to be just sneaky word-benders that make wrongs look right and vice versa - meanwhile *of course* filling their pockets which filthy amounts of money, mathematicians that are thought to do completely irrelevant (and obviously ridiculously geeky) stuff by just messing around a bit with numbers, etcetera. People of other fields generally don’t have a lot of respect for what others do, because oftenly they just don’t KNOW about it!
It’s just the way it is - and let’s face it: the way ballet dancers speak of their profession in respect to that of others, oftenly also shows a huge underestimation of other people’s daily struggles!
Sure, being a ballet dancer is tough both physically and mentally. But personally, I am not at all sure that in the end it’s not surpassed by the rigor of being one of those ‘ordinary people’, all those worn-out moms and dads out there, who are working double shifts at the kind of jobs that people contemptuously refer to as “McJobs”. Working to and beyond the point of physical and mental exhaustion in positions that (contrary to ballet for the ballet dancer!) DON’T inspire any passion in them, and DON’T lead to any kind of fulfillment. Not everyone gets their dreamjob. Some people just have mouths to fill, and days to ‘get through’.
Mar 12, 2008 @ 13:26
GraciaMichelle
Btw Tonya, I think xtanzer is just making things lighter, these are the common jokes guys make about what’s great about being male.
(pff, as if it’s a *blessing* for them to lack the ability to appreciate chocolate in all its divinity, and instantly feel happy at any given time just by putting on some gorgeous high heels and/or a stunning dress! 
)
Mar 12, 2008 @ 13:37
michelle
I loved this article and have passed it on to someone who is going through some challenging times…well done.
Mar 12, 2008 @ 14:05
Deb Young
Good writing inspires great dialog. This is all very interesting. I had a couple of other musings to add; I remember Peter Martins making a comment in a NY Times piece last year that, having now lived stateside for several decades, he has seen a shift in attitudes about boys and ballet in America. I can’t quote him directly, but he said something to the effect that Europe is much, much older, and has had time to get past the stereotypes that can paralyze us here in our relatively young country. The context for this was the boy’s scholarship class at SAB. So his view of things was relatively hopeful.
Which raises my other thought, and that is that boys and men still do pretty well for themselves in the ballet world as compared with girls/women. A male dancer who guested for me once at my school quipped, “We put on tights and they hand us a contract.” This comment arose when I had a female student in my office agonizing about her chances at getting into NCSA, as opposed to a boy’s chances at the same.
Anyway, all this notwithstanding, that piece was well written and entertaining, and I for one am thrilled and delighted that Sascha braved the fat lips and other turmoil to emerge as the gorgeous dancer he is today. I put a link to this post on my own blog in the hopes that I could get some of my own school families to think about it. And that is a groovy picture indeed.
BTW: GraciaMichelle…you make some excellent points.
Deb Young
Knoxville Ballet School
Mar 12, 2008 @ 16:06
Megan
hallelujah-thanks for posting about this. I feel the same way. I was just saying the other day in my ballet class that I wish we had more male dancers at my school…
Mar 12, 2008 @ 16:45
xtanzer
>>Btw Tonya, I think xtanzer is just making things lighter, these are the common jokes guys make about what’s great about being male
Absolutely GraciaMichelle, THANK YOU for “Getting It’… That is what the smiley in the post was for.
I thought after Maria’s jeremiad we needed a lighter moment. I certainly didn’t mean to offend Tonya….
Also - those male jokes I posted were sent to me yesterday - by a woman…
To be serious, then, regarding Sasha’s article. Here we have, finally, a smart, well-written article about a dancer from a major company published in a major news publication, written by the actual dancer himself - not by one of the magazine’s staff writers. This article is an honest, heartfelt piece about his experiance (and observations) of being a man in this profession in this culture in these times. Maria’s post wonders “how relevant such a complain is in the world we live in.” My answer is that it is very relevant to male dancers in this country (the subject of the article). Rob’s comments were also well written and quite right.
Sasha’s article in Newsweek is a breakthrough for all dancers - not just for men. I applaud him, my colleagues, male and female, gay and straight, applaud him (we posted it on the rehearsal board) and we’re proud of him.
Thanks!
Mar 12, 2008 @ 18:01
Maria
Rob– point taken. It’s about the attitudes of the world at large rather than the lack of barriers men face in the dance world itself.
xtanzer– I can do without the snark. If you read my whole post you’ll see I’m not trying to be alarmist, I’m just stating the facts, which Deb Young eloquently reflected in her own comment
Mar 12, 2008 @ 21:45
Benjamin
A friend e-mailed this article to me just yesterday. I’ll go ahead and let the cat out of the bag that I found the article to be very insightful/poignant in several points it makes and overall encouraging.
On David’s question, I think the male dancer stereotypes that are most prevalent are a dichotomy of sorts. In my experience growing up as a teenager and young adult male in the ballet world it seemed like everyone I talked to “knew” that you had to be really strong to do ballet and that it was “really intense.” The thing is, even if that’s what they “knew,” it’s not what they seemed to actually believe. I think like a lot of other stereotypes in the age of political correctness, a lot of people know they’re supposed to know better and try to choose their words to show as much, but in the end, I don’t think many of the folks who said those things to me really meant it.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m grateful for the effort. I can understand why there’s a stigma attached to male ballet dancing. I loved dancing because of power behind all of it. And now that I think about it so did a lot of the guys I danced with. The thing is though, I didn’t really realize all that power was there until i tried it for myself. I mean, that’s good ballet. You’re supposed to fly gracefully through the air without making it so obvious that it took an intense biochemical explosion from your legs to do it. Besides though, how much of America ever even gets to see those really stellar men? Instead what just about everyone coast to coast has seen and experienced is legions of little girls going to ballet class - some to dance, some to socialize, and some because that’s just what little girls do. I’m not surprised that when most people I talk to learn how much I love ballet they don’t get it. More than likely, regardless of what they know they should think, experience has taught them that ballet is a girl’s activity.
Now to tie this all back together, this experience factor is why I’m so excited and encouraged to see articles like Radetsky’s in the media. Everyone (lots of people at the very least) seem to know male dancers are anything but sissies, now the experiential gap just needs to be closed. Personally, I think a picture of and an article by one America’s finest danseurs in a major publication is a great way to start.
-Ben Richards
JD Candidate
George Washington Law
Mar 12, 2008 @ 22:56
Daniel Burkholder
I have responded to this previously on this article, but wanted to put my two cents in here. As a male dancer I actually don’t connect much with Sascha’s article. I started dancing when I was 9 and have always had positive reinforcement for my dancing - even in high school when I quite the football team because the practices interfered with dance class. Everyone has always known I’m a dancer and I’ve certainly never been reluctant to share that fact - again, even in high school I wore my “dancing school” jacket and never got one comment or was ever teased. And, I grew up in a working class/middle class suburb of Detroit where everyone worked for an automaker - not the hot bed of arts. It is true I am not a ballet dancer, but a modern/improviser - but, I get alot more questions on “how do you practice improvisation?” than “looks” or comments on being a male dancer. And, as has been noted, if anything male dancers have it much easier in the dance world than female dancers because of the simple rule of supply and demand.
Mar 14, 2008 @ 14:07
xtanzer
As Maria proudly states on her blogsite: “There is an even livelier debate going on about it at the Winger (partially instigated by yours truly
).”
http://atimetodance.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/some-healthy-debate-about-gender-in-dance/
(Your smiley is noted…)
So Maria, you “instigate” a lively debate but don’t want to be “snarked” as you say?
You weren’t being snarked. But if you took it that way, my apologies. Honestly.
On your site (which I like, BTW - I’ve read other entries you’ve posted) you wrote: “To me, this is not just about dance; it’s about gender and society’s views about gender roles, something that’s particularly in the forefront this election year, and an issue that I don’t think has gone away yet– at all.”
I have to respectfully disagree - not with your general point - but in regards to this particular article. Sasha’s article is about dance. And being a professional dancer is hard enough - for either gender. You seem to be looking for a debate about society (as you so noted on your site). Sasha’s wonderful article has nothing to do with women’s issues, or minority issues, or war and peace, or the economy. Sasha’s article is about “men in dance”. Period. To question the relevance of Sasha’s article because you feel there is some other unresolved injustice in the world on a different issue is really a bit unfair, in my opinion (and I acknowledge that opinion is mine). Women have to deal with glass ceilings, male chauvinism and - as I’ve seen in ballet companies - issues from other women. It’s a lot… no one questions that. But to be analogous to Sasha’s article, if a woman is a ballerina, she is usually admired. The general reaction I see in society is that a woman introduced as a professional ballerina is usually looked at with respect - even a bit of reverence. And if you have ever seen a little girl introduced to a ballerina in tutu backstage you can see the magic in the girl’s eyes, it’s wonderful.
That is not the general reaction to a man being in the dance world - particularly the ballet world. Of course there are exceptions, but Sasha writes about the generalities, which are true - and relevant, and have happened to many of us men who grew up in similar circumstances. That is the breadth and scope of the article.
There have been fantastic books/movies/articles/songs written about he struggles of women in society. I would just ask you allow us ballet guys one little (but well written) article about our problems without questioning whether or not it’s “relevant” (as you put it) “in today’s world”.
I think there is probably a terrific article waiting to be written as to why there are not more women directors in major companies. I think you could probably write it.
Finally - we are allowed to “disagree” with your comments regarding Sasha’s article - but you shouldn’t think that we disagree there are other problems in society (gender, racial, etc). Of course there are. Or that someone who disagrees is in any way misogynistic. We are allowed to disagree in good faith and with, I hope, some humour…
Respectfully yours…
BTW - for the guys - I was born and raised in Europe. It wasn’t much easier there, being a young dancer when everyone else wants to be a footballer.
Mar 14, 2008 @ 19:45
Maria
I appreciate your more detailed and respectful defense of your point of view. This is certainly a complex issue with no easy answers.
By the way, the “snark” in question that I take issue with was your use of the word “jeremiad” in reference to my comments. All I ask for is a little respect. I relish a healthy debate, and I would certainly characterize this one as that. So in that sense, yes, I have nothing to be ashamed of in posing my own views in a strong way and appreciate it when others take part in that exchange.
By the way, I’m glad you like my blog and look forward to more exchanges of ideas
Mar 15, 2008 @ 15:52
Elissa
This is seriously a great article! Male dancers are stereotyped so ruthlessly, and it is nice to know that Sascha is out there to squash that myth. Thanks!!
Mar 17, 2008 @ 22:44
xtanzer
Maria - agreed on all counts!
Keep up the great blog!
Best,
xtanzer
Mar 20, 2008 @ 19:39
Alex Wong
Thanks for posting that David, and thanks Sasha awesome article.
Mar 22, 2008 @ 20:55
ITgirl
I believe this issue is really based in an uninformed audience of what is in particular, a Euro-Centric view of the masculine construct. Many negative constructs about male ballet dancers in specific exist primarily from the appearance or costume — the man in tights, makeup etc. etc etc. This is why a modern dancer would not get the same reaction from his colleagues to the same degree necessarily. In general the “masculine” identity of old europe is consistent with being adorned and was in fact considered not just “cultural” or “sophisticated” — but was considered sexually appealing to women, masculine and provacative in much the same way that our current “butch” concept of men is considered masculine and provactive today. Infact in the aniumal kingdom, it is primarily the makle of the species who is adorned and groomed and falunting. Since rarely does anyone ever dare speak the truth that ballet is in fact a Euro-Centric artform, ill-regard of the nationality of the performers, then it is a rare person who can appreciate and really understand the history of the form, that indeed continues to dictate its aesthetics. If I have to hear one more time how its so “cultured” and ” refined” — I mean by Amerian standards IT IS, but truly by the standards and socities from which it was built, ballet is pretty “butch”: with men doing big boy male things like sword fighting, vying for the girls and protecting his love and valor. And this is why the men who chose this path are upset or challenged by “societies” views which are ill-informed at best, and with the emphasis being so much on multi-culturalismn, it is rarely appreciated that this is a European viewpoint.
Mar 26, 2008 @ 19:09