Though top ballet schools are proactively hiring Black teachers, true inclusivity will require more work. As we look to a better future for ballet, we should consider its troubling emotional demands. The fate of "SYTYCD" remains unclear, but the show's impact on the dance world is undeniable. American Ballet Theatre soloist Gabe Stone Shayer joins to discuss how racism has shaped his career, and creating work that honors Black culture.
Show Notes
A transcript of this episode is available here: https://thedanceedit.com/transcript-episode-52
Links referenced in/relevant to episode 52:
-South China Morning Post story on the Hong Kong dancers who quit a performance over national security law fears: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3122466/cold-feet-eight-hong-kong-dance-company-quit-performance
-InStyle feature on Atlanta's Black creative talent: https://www.instyle.com/news/atlanta-creative-class
-Theresa Ruth Howard's Dance Magazine piece on diversifying ballet faculties: https://www.dancemagazine.com/what-makes-it-so-difficult-to-diversify-ballet-faculties-2650514881.html
-Howard's previous article about tokenism vs. representation: https://www.dancemagazine.com/tokenism-vs-representation-2650025235.html
-Suvi Honkanen's Pointe essay about ballet's emotional toll: https://www.pointemagazine.com/ballet-and-emotional-demands-2650701933.html
-TVLine's "So You Think You Can Dance" reporting: https://tvline.com/2021/02/16/so-you-think-you-can-dance-2021-season-17-sytycd/
-Gabe Stone Shayer's Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/gabestoneshayer/
-Shayer's "Runnin'" video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2j_sFgC2k/
What is The Dance Edit?
A weekly podcast, hosted by editors from Dance Media, that breaks down the dance world's news and talks with with the artists who are shaping the headlines.