ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Ballet West sheds tradition, dancers will wear tights that match their skin color

Oct 4, 2020, 4:36 PM

Ballet West new tights...

FILE: Ballet West - 13 Offenbach in the underworld © Douglas Robertson

SALT LAKE CITY — The artistic director of Salt Lake City’s premier ballet company says this isn’t about being “woke.” Instead, Adam Sklute says “this is how an old world Northern European imperialistic art form can be a 21st-century art form for everyone.”

Specifically, Sklute is talking about the revelation he had when watching his troupe perform.  “[We have this] wonderfully diverse group of women, they have all of these different colors up top, and all of them had pink legs and feet,” Sklute said.

“I said, ‘that really does look weird.’ They should continue their lines, and look their proper color all the way across their bodies.”

Sklute conducted a 3-month audit at Ballet West to determine what they needed to do.  This resulted in sweeping changes to what their dancers will wear. 

More than just new tights

Now, Ballet West will match the dancer’s tights to the color of their skin.  In addition, the company will dye pointe shoes and flat shoes to match the dancer’s skin.  Ballet West will do the same thing with dress- and shoe-straps, as well as makeup.  The company will not have a dancer use makeup that points to an ethnicity other than their own.  And the traditional “paling” makeup will also no longer be used.  

Bucking Tradition

Ballet West isn’t alone. Sklute says these kinds of changes “just haven’t been done [in the States.] I can name [the other companies] on less than one hand.” 

He says some companies may be reluctant to revise how their dancers look, and for a couple of reasons.  One is the long history of classical dance. Sklute says the pink tights and shoes didn’t begin as ‘racist.’ “When classical ballet began, in all fairness, it was an all Caucasian art form. ” And as time marched on … the trappings of that didn’t change.  “It has been historical, that no matter what their race, dancers will wear pink tights and pink shoes.”

The other reason is practical. “There is a cost factor involved.”

More satisfying for crowd and performers

Sklute says this “will ultimately eliminate a question from my perspective.”  A question that he says many ballet patrons occasionally ask, which is, “why does that brown girl have on pink tights?”

But, Sklute seems to be more passionate about the effect this will have on his dancers.  “I have a wonderfully diverse company.  I want to celebrate them across the board.”

“From a performer’s perspective, I can tell you that when my dancers of color are allowed to look like the people that they are on stage, their confidence level goes up.  And they feel more like the artists they are supposed to be when they are in their own skin.”

 

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Arts + Entertainment

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

5 hours ago

Indie folk/pop band The National Parks. (The National Parks)...

Mariah Maynes

Provo-based band The National Parks to perform at St. George Art Festival

The National Parks, a Provo-based indie folk-pop band, will perform a free concert at the St. George Art Festival.

3 days ago

Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas ...

MICHAEL BALSAMO and COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press

Feds search properties of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs as part of sex trafficking probe, AP sources say

It's not clear whether Combs was the target of the investigation. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details.

3 days ago

Lovebound library storefront. one of many women-owned businesses thriving in SLC....

Eric Cabrera

Salt Lake City sees a spike in women-owned businesses

women-owned business startups in Salt Lake City soared by 26 percent in 2023, while the national average stands at 17%.

7 days ago

immaculate movie poster next to ksl movie show host steve salles...

Steve Salles

KSL Movie Show review: ‘Immaculate’ walks a fine line between camp and criminal

In this KSL Movie Show review, "Immaculate" opens the door to a convent that isn't what it seems.

7 days ago

ghostbusters: frozen empire movie poster next to ksl movie show host steve salles...

Steve Salles

KSL Movie Show review: ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ didn’t quite come together

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' tried to recapture the magic of the original 1984 film. KSL Movie Show host Steve Salles says he expected better from this latest installment.

7 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Ballet West sheds tradition, dancers will wear tights that match their skin color