Behind the effortless grace of ballet lies years of hard work, pain and strict discipline. The path to the grand stage begins in childhood, at the barre, through hours of demanding training.
Young students at a ballet academy live by a rigorous schedule. They dream of leading roles, yet know that not everyone will make the journey from the corps de ballet to solo parts. It requires not only talent and ideal physical attributes, but also the character to withstand rejection, fatigue, and competition.
Dancers of the Mariinsky Theatre speak candidly about the price of success, injuries, jealousy, and the choice between the stage and private life.
