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DO YOU HATE BALLET?
By Finis Jung
A frequent comment made by Hip-Hoppers and Jazz Dancers is "I hate ballet"
That's sad . . . you may have your reasons, but you're missing out on some very important training that could seriously affect your future. Ballet has been the beginning of several enormously successful careers. I'm thinking of people I've had in my ballet class, like Patrick Swayze, Sharon Lawrence, Bebe Neuwirth, Charlotte D'Amboise, and Gillian Lynne.
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze studied with me when he was in New York. While he was taking my class, he had knee problems, and I thought he was another talented young dancer aiming for a ballet career. Well, who could have predicted he would have become the famous Hollywood actor that he is? Ballet teaches you to "never give up", to keep working towards goals, and certainly the years of dedication and discipline that Mr. Swayze gave to ballet technique have stood him well. His cat- like grace as a dancer, posture and great physique are certainly attributes that made him distinctive and stand out from other actors.
Sharon Lawrence
Sharon Lawrence studied with me while she was still performing in musicals like "Cabaret". In recent years, we've seen Sharon's video career skyrocket with shows like NYPD BLUE, and big network specials with her name above the titles. I remember her in ballet class as working quietly and doing every exercise full out and with expertise. Again, as with Patrick, I never imagined she'd go full time into acting and become the star that she is. When you see Sharon on TV, you notice how poised and graceful and beautiful she looks. I'm sure her years of ballet training have something to do with that.
Bebe Neuwirth
Bebe Neuwirth is no slouch in ballet class either. We see her on all the posters for "CHICAGO" that are in the subways and on buses in NYC, and she is well known for her role on "CHEERS" and "FRAZIER", as well as films and TV specials. And all the other women in "CHICAGO" (not to mention most of the men) all have had ballet training to a fairly serious level, some having performed in professional companies. There's a reason they all have such great looking bodies and look so slinky and sexy -- they're ballet trained, their muscles have been stretched and toned and they have the long lines of classical ballet training.
Charlotte D'Amboise
Charlotte D'Amboise first came to my attention while appearing in "CATS" on Broadway. You may have seen her recently, on the road with "CHICAGO." Charlotte is a dynamically powerful performer, and she's got legs that go on for days and a body that exudes energy. Again, she is an accomplished ballet dancer, and always comes back to class when she has the time. As I think of her, and her great legs (and Bebe's, too) those muscles have been beautifully worked and stretched doing tendu and degage and all the other exercises in ballet class. I've also noticed that performers like Charlotte work very intelligently in ballet class - they're there to get what they need, and they get it and go on with their careers.
The point we're making here is that ballet is the best foundation you can have for just about any career you can think of. Ballet training requires discipline and dedication. It is a discipline that demands exactness. It shapes your body and your mind. And, along the way, you can build up a formidable dance technique that can be exciting and dazzling. The confidence of knowing you can balance, turn, and jump will stand you in good stead when you have those big auditions. There's nothing like real skill, and knowing what you're doing and that you can deliver the goods. Stick with it!
