The Dead White Men Choreographers Society

Hi Jamie! Thanks for your very thoughtful response – I really appreciate it! I am surprised at the responses this post evoked. It was never my intention to make these choreographers’ only story their shortcomings. I love ballet (and, somewhat less devotedly, modern dance), and I love the works these men did. I grew up wanting to be a Balanchine dancer… 20 years after Balanchine died. This post was just meant as a fun poke at some of the major character flaws our dance heroes had in the wake of the #metoo movement. Many great men (and women) have had problematic aspects of their personal lives, from Albert Einstein to Martin Luther King Jr. Having just finished a ballet class as I write this, I find myself again and again conflicted by my love of the form and the people who have shaped it, and the problematic histories that have formed what we commonly call “good,” “beautiful,” or “talented.” If anything, I’m pleased this post has evoked so much response. It means there’s still a lot to unpack from these legacies. Very warmly, and hope your well and dancing, Emmaly

As I read this, I ask myself, “Yes, but does this negate the art they contributed to society?”

Balanchine was a womanizer and, as he aged, it became creepier and, as you illustrate, abusive. I certainly don’t support that. He seemed to be an incredibly needy man who used his power to make other fill his void. But I look at Prodigal Son and see a ballet that, though created in 1929 (aside from the costumes), looks like it could have been created in the last 10 years. I look a Jewels and I am carried away by the exquisite beauty of the work. Serenade simply makes me cry, it is so romantic. I wouldn’t send my daughter to study with him unless I am always in the room, but I can’t deny his talent.

Jerome Robbins was passionate about his work in a negative way. Lots of artists, male and female, have anger issues. Yet he created work that bridged the gap between us “dance nerds” and the general public. And, (though some may call it pandering or dumbing down) is a good thing. You don’t walk away from a Robbins piece feeling that the choreographer has been talking down to you or that the work is uncomfortably over your head. One can feel like he is telling your story. The ballet Fancy Free, for example, is very similar to stories my father told me about enjoying the company of his Army buddies and single Czech women in dance halls in Germany during the post World War II American Occupation. My non-dance-loving father could sit through this and walk away feeling included. There is value to this.

Petipa was prolific and brought many stories to life (though many people spit of story ballets). He also was important to the evolution of the art-form, moving it from the processional to an active dance style. Yes, he was a hound but does that mean his talents as a choreographer should be ignored?

And finally, Merce Cunningham. I am not a huge modern dance fan but it is undeniable the influence he had on all forms of performance oriented dance of today. Though the end of a marriage is tragic, it is equally tragic that a gay man like John Cage would feel forced to remain married to a woman…and, again, nothing to do with the art they produced.

We are in interesting times of identity-politics fueled criticism. It seems that we are requiring artists to be good people as well as good artists and that a lesser artist who is “woke” should be rewarded over a better artist who isn’t. It makes me think about the purpose of what is put on the stage, on film, and in our books. There was a football player who was not liked personally (for good reasons) but was an excellent football player and was constantly chastised in the press and by fans. He finally had a t-shirt made that said “I wasn’t hired for my personality.” Food for thought.

While I understand the privilege these men enjoyed, being white and male, and the many unheard voices there have been due to discrimination (As a Black man, I all too clearly understand), we shouldn’t erase the profound contributions these men did make. Hate their sexism and racism. Hate the times they lived in and its customs. But please don’t make their only story their shortcomings.

5 Responses to “The Dead White Men Choreographers Society”

stanceondance March 26, 2018

Hi Jamie! Thanks for your very thoughtful response – I really appreciate it! I am surprised at the responses this post evoked. It was never my intention to make these choreographers’ only story their shortcomings. I love ballet (and, somewhat less devotedly, modern dance), and I love the works these men did. I grew up wanting to be a Balanchine dancer… 20 years after Balanchine died. This post was just meant as a fun poke at some of the major character flaws our dance heroes had in the wake of the #metoo movement. Many great men (and women) have had problematic aspects of their personal lives, from Albert Einstein to Martin Luther King Jr. Having just finished a ballet class as I write this, I find myself again and again conflicted by my love of the form and the people who have shaped it, and the problematic histories that have formed what we commonly call “good,” “beautiful,” or “talented.” If anything, I’m pleased this post has evoked so much response. It means there’s still a lot to unpack from these legacies. Very warmly, and hope your well and dancing, Emmaly
Jamie Ray Wright March 25, 2018

As I read this, I ask myself, “Yes, but does this negate the art they contributed to society?”

Balanchine was a womanizer and, as he aged, it became creepier and, as you illustrate, abusive. I certainly don’t support that. He seemed to be an incredibly needy man who used his power to make other fill his void. But I look at Prodigal Son and see a ballet that, though created in 1929 (aside from the costumes), looks like it could have been created in the last 10 years. I look a Jewels and I am carried away by the exquisite beauty of the work. Serenade simply makes me cry, it is so romantic. I wouldn’t send my daughter to study with him unless I am always in the room, but I can’t deny his talent.

Jerome Robbins was passionate about his work in a negative way. Lots of artists, male and female, have anger issues. Yet he created work that bridged the gap between us “dance nerds” and the general public. And, (though some may call it pandering or dumbing down) is a good thing. You don’t walk away from a Robbins piece feeling that the choreographer has been talking down to you or that the work is uncomfortably over your head. One can feel like he is telling your story. The ballet Fancy Free, for example, is very similar to stories my father told me about enjoying the company of his Army buddies and single Czech women in dance halls in Germany during the post World War II American Occupation. My non-dance-loving father could sit through this and walk away feeling included. There is value to this.

Petipa was prolific and brought many stories to life (though many people spit of story ballets). He also was important to the evolution of the art-form, moving it from the processional to an active dance style. Yes, he was a hound but does that mean his talents as a choreographer should be ignored?

And finally, Merce Cunningham. I am not a huge modern dance fan but it is undeniable the influence he had on all forms of performance oriented dance of today. Though the end of a marriage is tragic, it is equally tragic that a gay man like John Cage would feel forced to remain married to a woman…and, again, nothing to do with the art they produced.

We are in interesting times of identity-politics fueled criticism. It seems that we are requiring artists to be good people as well as good artists and that a lesser artist who is “woke” should be rewarded over a better artist who isn’t. It makes me think about the purpose of what is put on the stage, on film, and in our books. There was a football player who was not liked personally (for good reasons) but was an excellent football player and was constantly chastised in the press and by fans. He finally had a t-shirt made that said “I wasn’t hired for my personality.” Food for thought.

While I understand the privilege these men enjoyed, being white and male, and the many unheard voices there have been due to discrimination (As a Black man, I all too clearly understand), we shouldn’t erase the profound contributions these men did make. Hate their sexism and racism. Hate the times they lived in and its customs. But please don’t make their only story their shortcomings.
cyb March 15, 2018

cringey unsourced unacademic and pointless
except the 4:33 joke harhar
stanceondance March 13, 2018

Thanks Cheryl:)
Cheryl March 13, 2018

I like these snippets. Do more, though not necessarily dead white guys.

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