The Bunion: Tat That!

Drawings by Maggie Stack; Text by Emmaly Wiederholt

Are you a dancer? Do you have a tattoo? Join the club! Perhaps there’s something about the masochistic pain we put ourselves through, but more and more dancers are succumbing to the needle. But a tattoo is about more than pain… it’s about expression. So what are dancers expressing these days via tattoo? Here are some favorites!

1. A tape measure tattooed around her waist: aspiring New York City Ballet dancer

2. Tattooed eight-pack abs: Alvin Ailey dancer

3. A tattoo of Balanchine’s face: Ohad Naharin (Who knew?!)

4. “I will survive”: an Elizabeth Streb dancer

5. “H.T.” tattooed on her heart: San Francisco Ballet’s newest apprentice (that’s the artistic director’s initials in case you’re behind the times)

6. Gory bruises tattooed to heighten the physical: ODC dancer

7. “Thrust” tattooed below boob: a Project Thrust dancer… OH WAIT THAT ONE’S REAL!

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