Reality TV Leaps to New Heights

Adam is the artistic director of Ballet West, a prestigious dance company located in Salt Lake City, Utah.Christiana is the epitome of perfection as the company’s prima ballerina, wh oacts as a role model with her kind demeanor and breathtaking talent. Ronnie, an experienced soloist, is the anti-ballet dancer who trades spandex for a motorcycle jacket outside of the studio. Nineteen-year-old newcomer Beckanne is the prodigy who feels like a threat to many, but is too sweet to hate. Rex andAlison are in a relationship that can only be described as “complicated.” Rex’sbrother Ronald is having more success in the relationship department with Katie, but their relationship is challenged by distance when Katie leaves Ballet West.

No, this is not a soap opera. Its real life.  And  now, for the first time ever, Ballet West has allowed cameras to enter its studios so that it can be captured in the new documentary, Breaking Pointe.

Breaking Pointe debuted for the first time last night on the CW, and if I had to give one way to describe it, I would call it a learning experience. The CW,usually known for its less-than-meaningful dramas and guilty pleasure reality shows, made groundbreaking movements in proving that ballet is not all glitter and tutus. Did you know that each dancer’s contract is only good for one year –and they may not be asked back for the next? Or that there are ranks within ballet  (corps de ballet, demi soloist,soloist, and principle), and there is no guarantee of promotion? Or that dainty, innocent girl leaping down stage might actually (gasp!) go clubbing after work?

For this reason alone, I would encourage everyone to watch the show at least once. I will admit, dance fanatics are probably the most likely to watch the series from start to finish. However, Breaking Pointe is beneficial so that everyone can have an appreciation for the extreme amount of work that goes into being a ballet dancer, and they can realize that ballet dancers are people too – they have friend problems and relationship challenges just like all the other twenty-somethings in the world.

Occasionally, some of what the dancers say sounds unnatural, as if it was more of a line than an original thought. Hopefully that improves as they become more accustomed to being surrounded by cameras. I really liked some of the people featured; Adam seems to really care about his dancers and Christiana is the picture-perfect example of humility. I just hope that they are all being genuine and the show isn’t working to portray them in a particular light. But unfortunately, those are secrets and decisions left to the brains behind the show (Shocker, right? I wasexpecting the four producers to call me tonight and ask for my opinion on each character’s representation.) .

So what is this dancer’s final verdict? Watch Breaking Pointe, and encourage others to do the same. It will force even the most arrogant football star to stop making fun of the kids going to ballet class.

Watch Breaking Pointe Thursdays at 9/8 central on the CW.