Behind the Curtain: How Ballet Makes Insanity Look Graceful

Today, Oct. 29 is World Ballet Day — about 40 companies, including the Royal Ballet, the Australian Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre, are opening their studios virtually so you can watch rehearsals, classes, interviews and behind‑the‑scenes footage online for free. The theme is “how stories are made,” which basically means: watch a lot of hard work so you can marvel at how effortless it looks. Seriously, try standing on your toes for three seconds — these dancers do crazy leaps and spins after years of training. Meanwhile I can’t even wrestle a fitted sheet without pulling a muscle, and they never make that tiny groan we all do getting out of a recliner. World Ballet Day started in 2014 when five big companies lifted the curtain, and now it’s a worldwide celebration — complete with a ridiculous monster‑swans promo, because apparently ballet needed monster trucks. Go peek behind the curtain and appreciate the absurd athleticism.

Takeaways:

• I found out World Ballet Day is on October 29 and it's a global, virtual, behind-the-scenes event.
• We learned about roughly 40 companies joining the fun, including the Royal Ballet, Australian Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater.
• I joked that ballet might need the monster-truck treatment — think fire-breathing swans and gargantuan grand jetés, pure silly spectacle.
• I was blown away by how dancers make impossible moves look effortless, while I can't even stand on my toes for three seconds.
• We reminded folks the celebration started in 2014 when five companies opened studios to the public, offering free online rehearsals and footage.