Whether you have heard them or not, Bad Boy’s of Dance is a driving force in the contemporary ballet world and is showing how daring men can be when it comes to breaking the stereotypes. According to Judith Mackrell of The Gaurdian, she saw less art and more Chippendale’s. Mackrell describes the Bad Boy’s of Dance’s Rock the Ballet performance as “lamer than it’s title” and “less badass than bemused chorus boys”. The article bascally states that the performance missed it’s point and is as she calls it “Chippendale’s with classical class”.
Bad Boy’s of Ballet in “Rock the Ballet” ©Ricardo Alevisoz
As a personal fan of the Bad Boys of Dance I think I could very much beg to differ with Mackrell’s opinion of the Performance. The physicality and energy that the Bad Boy’s of Dance exudes is what this dance world needs. Often in classical ballet, the male dancer becomes the prop. It becomes less about the male dancer and more about showing off the beauty and lines of the ballerina. As ballet becomes more contemporary, the role of the male is changing. Men are doing more than just partnering, jumping, and turning but company’s are more than ever looking and men’s lines and artistry and the choreography is becomeing more intense. The dance started to see a shift in male roles when Balanchine Ballet’s started to come into play, and we see men having more reponsibilties, and the choreography becoming more instense for males (Take a look at the Rubies act fro Jewels or Apollo). Bad Boy’s of Ballet becomes a contiuation to this rebellion of the idea that men are not just props, but that being a male dancer takes just as much technique and skill as it does to be a prima ballerina. This isn’t a way to discredit the beauty, artistry, and strength that it takes to be a ballerina, but hey men have to be technicians too! When Mackrell see this performance, she looks past the passion and the absolute joy to dance that allows a dancer to express themself without limitations. Bad Boy’s of Dance have recently been featured as contestants on America’s Got Talent under the psuedo name “Bad Boy’s of Ballet”, and I personally feel like this is an amazing opportunity to not just show the aggresion and skill level of dancers, but to also show that there is more to ballet than the Nutcracker or Swan Lake. I posted a couple videos below of the Bad Boy’s of Dance, do you think it’s contributing to a new era in male’s dance, or do you agree with Mackrell’s “Chippendale’s” approach? Either way you’ve got to admit it, these boys are ferocious!
Clip From Rock The Ballet
Bad Boys of Ballet on SYTYCD
Remember Dancers,
Keep Calm and Dance on!
jetejerrett 