There's always room for a prince in ballet, whether he's the Sugar Plum Fairy's Cavalier; a man in a plotless ballet; "The Little Prince"; or a small child like Britain's Prince George, who finds joy in movement.
Yet, for all the people like Lisa Collins Vidnovic of the Metropolitan Ballet School in Jenkintown, Pa., who encourages boys by giving them scholarships and a safe, comfortable space to study, there are those like Lara Spencer of ABC's "Good Morning America," who last week scoffed at George for taking ballet class.
Attitudes like Spencer's are likely born of ignorance, opinions based on twirling figures in music boxes, tutus and tights, and maybe a couple of classes long ago.
Prince George is 6. His parents say he loves ballet. His grandmother Princess Diana was patron of the English National Ballet. His family goes to ballets. He shouldn't be stifled.
Most people like to dance, and ballet teaches discipline, artistry and fitness.
Professional dancers are no shlocks. They spend six or more hours six days a week doing the equivalent of very hard gym workouts, then perform at night. Many also cross-train, lifting weights, swimming or taking Pilates or Gyrontonics classes.
George Balanchine famously said, "Ballet is woman." The choreographer and founder of New York City Ballet aptly noted that much of the attention is focused on the ballerina. Lately, there has been an extra push to get more women hired as choreographers and company directors.
But the men have also been so important. France's King Louis XIV was a passionate ballet dancer who founded the world's first company, now known as the Paris Opera Ballet.
