Breaking Pointe

I'm thankful that I watch The CW network. If I didn't, I wouldn't have known anything about Breaking Pointe. The CW ran so many promo ads for it. Breaking Pointe is a reality series that followed the ballet dancers at Ballet West in Salt Lake City, Utah. The season finale was last Thursday. The show only had six episodes. I hope that the show gets renewed for another season.

I became a fan of ballet back in 2004. I photographed two local dance companies for an assignment. I focused on ballet. The photos were beautiful. About a year after taking the photos, I called one of the studios and was invited to come back. I went back to the studio and photographed ballet and other classes as well (i.e. hip hop, jazz and pointe). I kept going back until the fall of 2010. My free time schedule changed after I increased my running mileage and started running ultra marathons. Even though I haven't been at the studio, my love for ballet remains the same.

What I love about the series Breaking Pointe is the behind the scenes stuff. I love the footage of the dancers at rehearsal. I love the dancers backstage, getting ready for the final shows of the season. The reason I love it is that is how I saw the dancers when I was photographing them. I was with them at rehearsal in the studio. I was with them at rehearsal at the theater. I was with them backstage when they danced at their final recital of the year. Not too many people get to see that side. I knew how much hard work went into their shows. The dancers made it look effortless. Even though it is anything but.

The cast members of Breaking Pointe are unsure if the show will be back for a second season. I really hope the show does get picked up for another season. Ballet is a wonderful art form that not too many people see in person. If ballet is on television, it can be seen by many more people. That can help ballet grow so much more.