The young beautiful modern dancer dancing under water drops
The young beautiful modern dancer dancing under water drops

Championing Female Ballet Choreographers

The world of ballet choreography has long been male dominated, despite the fact that ballet, as an art form, boasts a majority of female dancers and teachers. As society moves toward greater gender equity in various fields, it’s essential to consider why championing female ballet choreographers is both a necessary and positive step for the evolution of ballet. By elevating women’s voices in choreography, we support a richer diversity of artistic expression, encourage inspiration in future generations, and allow ballet to become a more inclusive art form.

Contemporary Female Choreographers and Ballet’s Gender Disparity

Female choreographers are flourishing in contemporary dance, with figures like Crystal Pite and Twyla Tharp leading the way. Their works have been performed globally, earning acclaim for originality, narrative power, and emotional depth. However, in ballet—a discipline known for its traditionalism—female choreographers are noticeably less represented.
One notable exception is Cathy Marston, a British choreographer known for her emotionally charged and character-driven works. In 2016, Marston choreographed The Cellist for The Royal Ballet, a ballet based on the life of cellist Jacqueline du Pré. This piece received considerable acclaim, blending classical ballet with Marston’s unique narrative-driven style and opening doors for further recognition of female perspectives in ballet.

Marston’s work, and that of other contemporary female choreographers who occasionally venture into ballet, illustrates the rich potential for women to contribute new ideas, perspectives, and innovations to the ballet canon. But more representation of female choreographers is needed to ensure that ballet grows as an inclusive art form that reflects the diverse voices of its practitioners and audiences.

Notable Female Ballet Directors Leading Change

Recently, Susan Jaffe became the first female Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the United States. As a former ABT principal dancer, Jaffe brings an insider’s understanding of both the art and the industry to her role, creating new opportunities for female dancers, choreographers, and other creatives within the ballet world. Her appointment is a sign of progress and highlights the shift toward empowering women in leadership roles in ballet institutions.

As more women step into these positions, they can advocate for greater gender balance in the commissioning of new works and the support of female choreographers. In this way, female leaders have the unique ability to foster a more inclusive environment, making ballet more reflective of the diverse perspectives within the dance community.

The Impact and Importance of Female Ballet Choreographers

Narrative Diversity: Female choreographers bring unique perspectives to storytelling, often centering on narratives and themes that resonate more deeply with women. Their voices can introduce fresh, nuanced approaches to traditional stories or bring entirely new tales to the stage, enriching ballet’s emotional range and narrative power.

Inspiring Future Generations: Representation matters, especially in fields where young people are forming their identities and aspirations. For young dancers and choreographers, seeing women like them in creative leadership roles can be incredibly empowering. Female choreographers can act as mentors, role models, and inspirations, encouraging the next generation to imagine themselves as creators and not just performers.

Fostering Innovation in Ballet: Women bring different lived experiences to their art, which can lead to innovative approaches in movement, staging, and the intersection of music and dance. Supporting more female choreographers can open ballet up to fresh ideas that will help the art form evolve and remain relevant to new audiences.

Expanding Emotional Depth and Sensitivity: Women choreographers often emphasize relationships, vulnerability, and introspection in their work, themes that audiences find relatable and moving. By providing opportunities to female creators, ballet companies can connect with audiences on a deeper emotional level and broaden ballet’s expressive potential.

Aiming for Gender Equity in Ballet: In ballet schools and studios, women far outnumber men, both as students and teachers. However, the representation flips at the professional level, particularly among choreographers and directors. By supporting female choreographers, we bring balance to a field where women are the majority but have historically been given fewer opportunities for creative leadership.

Male-Dominated Legacy: A Few Established Names

The ballet choreography world has long been dominated by renowned male figures such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Kenneth MacMillan, and more recently, Christopher Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky. Their contributions to ballet are indelible, yet the continued predominance of male choreographers limits the full potential of ballet as an inclusive art form.
Allowing more space for women’s voices in choreography would add valuable perspectives that male counterparts might not provide. Supporting the rise of female choreographers doesn’t mean sidelining male choreographers; it means ensuring a balanced representation of gender perspectives, which enhances the art form.

Looking Ahead: Encouraging More Women in Ballet Choreography

While there is still a significant gender disparity in ballet choreography, the increased attention on female choreographers and directors signals a positive change. Women like Cathy Marston, Crystal Pite, and Susan Jaffe show what’s possible when female talent is nurtured and given opportunities to lead. This shift toward gender inclusivity is encouraging, not only for those working within ballet but also for the art form as a whole.
The continued success and visibility of female choreographers and directors will undoubtedly inspire new talent and enrich ballet’s future. By championing these women, we can help build a ballet world that is more equitable, dynamic, and resonant for generations to come. Championing female ballet choreographers is not about criticism of the past but about crafting an inclusive, inspiring, and balanced future for the art form.

References

Roca, J. (2016). “Cathy Marston’s The Cellist: A New Life of Jacqueline du Pré in Ballet.” The Guardian. Available at: [Link]
Scherr, A. (2023). “Susan Jaffe Appointed Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre.” Dance Magazine. Available at: [Link]
Homans, J. (2010). Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet. New York: Random House.
Kourlas, G. (2023). “Why We Need More Female Choreographers in Ballet.” The New York Times. Available at: [Link]
Daly, A. (2017). “Representation in Dance: Why Female Choreographers Matter.” Journal of Dance and Society.

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