Ballet Class: An American History

by Melissa R. Klapper

Surveying the state of American ballet in a 1913 issue of McClure's Magazine, author Willa Cather reported that few girls expressed any interest in taking ballet class and that those who did were hard-pressed to find anything other than dingy studios and imperious teachers. One hundred years later, ballet is everywhere. There are ballet companies large and small across the United States; ballet is commonly featured in film, television, literature, and on social media; professional ballet dancers are spokespeople for all kinds of products; nail polish companies market colors like Ballet Slippers and Prima Ballerina; and, most importantly, millions of American children have taken ballet class. Beginning with the arrival of Russian dancers like Anna Pavlova, who first toured the United States on the eve of World War I, Ballet Class: An American History explores the growth of ballet from an ancillary part of nineteenth-century musical theater, opera, and vaudeville to the quintessential extracurricular activity it is today, pursued by countless children nationwide and an integral part of twentieth-century American childhood across borders of gender, class, race, and sexuality.

A social history, Ballet Class takes a new approach to the very popular subject of ballet and helps ground an art form often perceived to be elite in the experiences of regular, everyday people who spent time in barre-lined studios across the United States. Drawing on a wide variety of materials, including children's books, memoirs by professional dancers and choreographers, pedagogy manuals, and dance periodicals, in addition to archival collections and oral histories, this pathbreaking study provides a deeply-researched national perspective on the history and significance of recreational ballet class in the United States and its influence on many facets of children's lives, including gender norms, consumerism, body image, children's literature, extracurricular activities, and popular culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

432 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2020

About the author

Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and Director of Women's & Gender Studies at Rowan University.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In 1913 author Willa Cather wrote in a McClure’s Magazine article that few American girls were interested in taking ballet class. . . . Only young women and the rare young man determined to pursue dance careers would bother with such an unpromising enterprise, and even they would face limited opportunities in a country without a single ballet company outside an opera house. What a difference a century makes. One hundred years later, ballet is everywhere."

As a former ballet dancer and lifelong ballet lover, I was really excited to read this book and enjoyed attending the virtual release event hosted by Harvard Book Store back on May 1st. This nonfiction work explores the evolution of ballet class in America — a unique topic/vantage point and one that has never been covered in-depth in any of the many ballet books I’ve read. It was informative, well researched, and incorporated some of the author’s personal ballet class experiences, which was a nice touch.

One of my favorite chapters went through the popular ballet books/series from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, many of which I absolutely loved growing up (and still have in my bookshelves now!).

[Melton Clay McKinney]

I have it to my granddaughter who is a practicing ballerina and she states that from what she has read so far, she loved it.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the history not just of ballet class in America, but of ballet itself, as well as its rivals, particularly modern dance. Like most American girls I spent time in ballet class, but not long, and don't really remember that much — except the five positions! But I grew up reading ballet stories, starting with the classic Ballet Shoes. Anyone with an interest in ballet should also find this book interesting.

[Karen Carlson]

this is a first for me: I was watching Jeopardy and one of the contestants mentioned she'd written a book about the history of ballet class. Not ballet, but ballet class. It sounds interesting, even though I know very little about ballet.

[Ellice Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great multilayered look on dance classes in America. The girl culture and racism chapters should be taught then undone.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive and highly readable history of ballet education in the US, which nicely balances tensions and relationships between preprofessional training and recreational lessons. Also appreciated the discussions of race and gender/sexuality.