Kira+T’s+2015+OpEd+Article

=** Why I hate ballet. **= All of this is from my own experience.

Story #1: One time a dancer did not get her dream role as Clara, in the production The Nutcracker. As SOON as her mother and the dancer found out, the mother went to the office to talk to the director and teachers. Talking is an understatement, she threatened the ballet company that if her daughter didn't get the lead role in the production she would write a review that said that the Company was racist because they did allow someone who was dark skinned to be Clara. The following week the daughter had an additional part, Clara.

My reaction:"That is not going to work." My reaction:"I cannot believe that worked."

This one mother made a snow ball effect. Over time, more and more moms have gone to talk to the director to complain and threaten to go to a different studio because their daughter deserves more parts, and all of the outcomes were exactly the same. They all received additional parts. You may ask: Where do they get the additional parts? My answer: They take parts away from other dancers. Dance moms control the studio. It comes to the point where the talent of the dancer doesn't even matter.

I have talked to some of my friends who even said that if they did not get a certain number of parts, they were going to drop out of the show and/or go to a different studio.

I feel bad for the dancers who are getting parts because their mom is complaining to the company. At least I know I am getting my parts because of my talent. I am proud that I can honestly say that my mom has never helped me with my casting list.

Story #2: Last year I auditioned for The Nutcracker, it was a week after summer break. As we walked into the room to start the audition, they had an announcement. They all told us that we needed to lose weight, because our thighs got bigger over summer.

My Reaction: "What?!"

It is really ironic because on the website it said: "They are taught to feel good about themselves..." They clearly lied. This did not help at all, many of my friends are extremely self conscience about their body to the point of anorexia and cutting.

This made me rethink every single time I ate anything and made me feel extremely guilty, I knew it was wrong and unhealthy. It made me extremely angry because I felt like my ballet teachers teachers were controlling me outside of ballet. I hate how fake everyone, the staff and moms included, are; and also how fake they want us to be. It made me feel really uncomfortable.

I know it’s ironic that I say I hate ballet, because I still do love it. Certain days, when I am in class, I forget all these terrible thoughts. It’s just that I don’t like being called thunder thighs or treated unfairly.

THE END!