At first glance, ballet could appear as nothing more than sophisticated frolicking. Let me assure you, it’s not.
Every movement and revolution is choreographed to tell a story with dancers making choices, not guesses. At a recent performance of the American Ballet Theatre, I was awed by the amazing talent on display and the years of dedication that brought each dancer to this point (pun intended).
What can actors learn from ballet dancers? More than you may realize! Let’s start with these three lessons.
1. Control your instrument. Ballet is about discipline, beauty, and strength. As an actor, mastering your instrument means controlling how your body moves, how your voice sounds, and how you physically interact with others on the stage. Being able to regulate your breath is another component of mastering your instrument and is of particular importance for singers and voiceover artists. What strikes me most about this form of dance is how the most calculated movements can come across as being entirely natural. A technically challenging sequence can appear effortless for a ballerina if she has complete control over her instrument. Watching Hee Seo pirouette for what seemed like 30 seconds across the stage
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