written by balletboy  on 16.05. at 02:56:00

Gotta be honest....most of the major dance companies would not want a woman who went back into ballet at age 25....it's a sad fact.  The same companies would not want a male, as rare as males are in ballet, who re-started ballet at this age.

BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT.....don't let this sad fact discourage you.  There are many smaller (local, regional) companies that are looking for mature dancers.

Ballet has many personal rewards!  I could not do ballet professionally because of family pressures, and ended up in a "respectable" profession. HA!  Ask me if I'm happy!  You've got to take any opportunity when you are young, so when you're old, you have limited regrets.  Sure I'll never dance the "prince" anymore, but at my advanced age I've performed in two ballets this year (with a local company) and in two weeks will perform in another.  And I've "coached" some of the younger guys on stage appeareance, etc.

The point is enjoy what you're doing.  Get into a ballet class as soon as possible.  Work; take as many classes as you can!  It's the satisfaction of doing it.  You don't have to perform at the Met...I got more satisfaction of entertaining the elderly in their nursing homes and the kids in the children's hospital ward than any semi-professional performance I've ever done.

So go for it! Take that life's passion as soon as you can! Time, at age 25, is not running out.  You don't need books, just classes.

balletboy

>Hi everyone>I am 25, living in South Africa.  I did ballet as a little girl up until age 10, but I've had the urge to start again for so long.  I'm afraid that time might be running out for me.  It feels as though I've missed my passion in life.  Is it to late for me to start?  Can I still make a good career out of dancing?  Do you have any advice on how to get started?  I don't think recources here in SA is too brilliant - maybe there is books to recommend?  Thank you Hannah