geschrieben von balletboy  am 18.05. um 02:54:52

>Ballet has sparked an interest to me. I have seen many ballets and I have always prefered agility and grace over brute strengh. I really want to start ballet (I'm 16, male) and am building up the courage to announce it to my parents.

...My mother hated the idea; my dad was real cool about it.  Nobody knows how their parents will react.  My mother said ballet woiuld make me queer!  My dad bought me books (that was when I was about 4 or 5), and I couldn't get into a real class until I started high school and had a bus pass.  Dad signed the permission slip; mother thought I was in debate club!

Even if your parents object, tell them it is really something you want to do.  Tell them you don't want to regret not having tried it.  You can lie and say you feel really clumsy and want to take ballet to be more agile.  You can tell them it will make your body more agile for other sports.  Or just don't lie, and tell them you just want to give it a try.

I have never done ballet in the past but everyone says its really fun and exciting once u get into it. I don't think I want to professionally go into ballet but I still want to be serious and have fun and work hard at it. The major issues I have are...

>1) Can I take ballet even if I may not want to become a professional?

Sure!  You can take it for the physical ability enhancement.  You can also take it to be a sort of "semi" professional, to dance in local performances, like being the King who sits in the background or the Prince's friend who does a lot more dancing.

I never had more satisfaction than when my dance shool gave performances at nursing homes and the children's hospital.  I started too late to be a professional, and had another profession.  But I found my dancing could bring joy to many different people.

>2) Is it truly fun?

It's a lot of work; it takes a lot of effort; sometimes it takes some tears!  But ballet can be fun!  I've had lot's of fun with ballet over many years.  I work compulsively all day long, and often feel too exhausted to take class at night.  But by the time we get to center exercises, I feel an enthsuiasm that enlivens my soul!

>3) I wanted to wear a leotard and tights cause I heard it is better but I am a little scared to. Is that normal? Should I?

Every guy is scared a little at the first.  But, it's the human body.  The teacher, and you, need to see the body and how the muscles are working.

You have to wear at least a dancebelt and tights with a top, and ballet slippers, of course.  There's something called the NoUniButt look, where you need to see all the muscles of your body and how they function...you'll be interested in that later...so kee my email address and we can talk about that then.

A leotard can comfortable and show the muscle of your torso, where loose fitting t-shirts keep your torso from being seen.  But full-seat leotards obscure the muscles of the butt.  When I started, I wore a dancebelt, leotard and tights, all in black.  Wearing a lighter color helps you (and your teacher) see the muscles better.

About the dancebelt....at 16, you really need a dancebelt.  That's another complete email.  It has to be worn correctly.  Look for Dr. Dancebelt's advice on the serious male dancer or male dance wear boards.

>4) How do I start? Do I show up one day and go right into a class? Is there an interview or one on one with the teacher to introduce you to it?

You should call several studios, and ask them if they take guys in begining ballet.  Some schools, like Little Miss Suzies School of Dance and Basketweaving are NOT the place to go.  Look for schools where they talk about dance teachers who have ceritifcation in RAD, Cechetti, etc., AND look for schools that say they have a performing company.

Call and ask to the director, usually a female.  Tell her what you're interested in.  Ask her if there's a guy in the faculty or a male student or a guy freind of hers who can give you advice about starting ballet.

Go to the school and watch a class.

>5) Wearing a leotard and tights especially to a beginner class might seem weird, what if all the other boys are wearing tights and a t-shirt? Is it still ok to wear the leotard?

Some schools have "dress-codes" for students, and you should try to meet those codes.  However, most schools also want to keep guys at the school.  If you don't want to wear a cotton t-shirt, and have a white short-sleeved leotard, most won't complain about the difference.  If you want to wear a white tank-top leotard, that shouldn't raise too many eyebrows.  You can always say it's cooler.

You can do what I used to do.  Wear a white t-shirt over a leotard for barre, and take it off after a while.  I used to say it was too sweated-up, or that I got too hot wearing it.  Nobody complained.

Actually, if you start with adults, almost any dancewear will go.  Most teachers in adult classes don't complain.

ONE WORD OF ADVICE....you may be the only guy in the class.  I'm living in Chicago and often the classes have only one, maybe two guys.  When I was in New York City, there were lots of guys in class.  In the school where I stared when I was in high shcool, there were lots of guys...but that's the exception.  HOWEVER, you're the "cock of the walk," you, as a male in ballet, will often rule the roost.  Schools will bend over backwards to keep a guy in their classes.  Not that you should exploit that.  

HOWEVER, I would, at your age, ask for a scholarship or some discount for your classes.  They may ask you to sweep the floors or polish the mirrors, but often you can learn dance for free.

I know may dance schools in big cities that let guys take partnering classes for free.

I would go for it!  You'll never be 16 again.  Starting ballet when you're twenty-something in college is just not the same.

There are lots of us on these boards like myself who will give you honest advice.  Try Tom and Dr. Dancebelt.  Feel free to email people like us when you want.

balletboy.   theboy@balletboy.com