Don't Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet

Ballet is a beautiful, difficult, and compelling art form, but it has been synonymous with being beautiful, thin, obedient, and feminine. Alice Robb's book "Dont Think, Dear" explores what it means to perform ballet today, confronting the all-consuming nature of the form and its toxic culture. It is a critical yet personal examination of classical ballet filtered through the lens of 21st-century feminism, bringing a welcome academic rigor to a subject born of deeply held emotions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

Ballet, a revered art form with a rich history, has long been associated with femininity, grace, and elegance. However, the reality behind the scenes is far from picturesque. For centuries, ballerinas have been subjected to intense pressure to adhere to strict physical standards, often leading to unhealthy practices such as extreme dieting, binge eating, and body shaming. The culture of ballet schools has been characterized by harassment, physical abuse, and eating disorders, making it a toxic environment for young dancers.

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, the question of whether ballet can be reconciled with feminist ideals has become increasingly relevant. Alice Robb, a former ballerina and author of the book "Don't Think, Dear," delves into this issue by exploring the lives of renowned ballerinas throughout history and her own experiences at America's most elite ballet school. Robb confronts the all-consuming nature of ballet, including the obsessive and dangerous practices to perfect the body, the embrace of submission, and the idealization of suffering.

Despite these challenges, ballet also offers its dancers a unique form of expression and liberation. It allows them to fully inhabit their bodies and provides a sanctuary of control away from the pressures of the outside world. Robb argues that it is time to reimagine ballet's liberating potential and to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for young dancers.

Robb's book is a powerful exploration of classical ballet filtered through the lens of 21st-century feminism. She brings a welcome academic rigor to a subject clearly born of deeply held emotions. Through her personal stories and those of her contemporaries, Robb exposes the toxic culture that runs through ballet and calls for change.

While ballet may have a long way to go in terms of reconciling with feminist ideals, there are signs of progress. Many ballet companies and schools are taking steps
steps to address the issues of body diversity, inclusivity, and mental health support for dancers. There is also a growing recognition of the importance of gender equality in the art form, with more and more male dancers breaking into traditionally female roles and challenging traditional gender stereotypes.

In conclusion, ballet is a complex and multifaceted art form that has the potential to be both beautiful and empowering. While it has a history of trauma and abuse, there are also signs of progress towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for young dancers. It is up to the ballet community to continue to work towards these goals and to ensure that the art form remains a source of joy and inspiration for generations to come.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 146 x 224 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780861542345