Fun Facts About Ballet You Didn’t Know
Emilia Wightlin & Zachary Ong is Southern California Ballet’s Cinderella
Ballet is a captivating and elegant art form with a rich history — but it’s also full of quirky and unexpected realities. Here’s a look at some unique details you might not know about this globally renowned form of dance.
Ballet’s Origins Are Italian, Not French!
Although ballet is often associated with France, it actually started in Italy during the 1500s as a form of entertainment for royal courts. It wasn't until Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman who married a French king, brought ballet to France in the 16th century that it truly blossomed into the classical form we know today.
Ballet Is a Major Cornerstone of Dance and Other Physical Disciplines
One of the most fun facts about dance is that many forms and techniques of dance have their roots in ballet — including hip hop, jazz, tap, and contemporary dance. In addition, other disciplines use ballet classes as a training tool. During World War II, Soviet Union soldiers used ballet to enhance their physical abilities. Many football players use ballet training to enhance their strength, balance, coordination, and agility.
Tutus Aren’t as Simple as They Look
Tutus may look rather uncomplicated, but a single one can take 90 hours to make. Each tutu uses 300 feet of tulle and can cost up to $2,000 apiece. Dancers can go through as many as 150 tutus over the course of their career.
Pointe Shoes Last Only a Few Hours
Pointe shoes may look delicate, but they endure intense pressure. Most professional dancers can wear out a pair of pointe shoes in just a few hours! This is why ballet companies go through hundreds of pairs each season, with many dancers owning multiple pairs just for different roles.
Ballet Dancers Burn an Incredible Number of Calories
Ballet dancers work hard to make sure their every move looks weightless and effortless — but the truth is that doing ballet burns more calories than running, swimming, or cycling. Dancers can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour! This means they have to eat well in order to have enough energy for classes, practices, and performances.
Enjoy Ballet More With Southern California Ballet
Southern California Ballet is a world-class dance facility in San Diego that trains dancers for a professional career, empowers people for a life of success, and welcomes the community to be part of an extraordinary experience. Our mission is to empower aspiring dancers to reach their full potential and elevate the community through educational programs and imaginative performances.
Southern California Ballet’s training philosophy has been carefully honed by its artistic directors with the goal of providing effective, healthy, and foundational ballet training. We offer classes for people of all ages (four years old and up). Learn more about ourclasses and levels, andreach out to join our academy today!
