How is a contemporary show different from a ballet?
Contemporary is a lot wilder and less structured than ballet. You won’t see as many pointed toes, perfectly symmetrical formations or synchronised routines, and while ballets often tell fairy tale-like stories, contemporary shows usually explore an emotion or a concept. You’ll notice a few other big differences – contemporary dancers often don’t wear shoes, and there may be a lot more experimentation with costume, lights, music and set design. Are the dancers as good as ballet dancers? Yes. Ballet is the basis for contemporary dance, so contemporary dancers take the strength, body knowledge, and alignment of ballet training and mix it with other ways of moving. They are extremely versatile athletes and artists. Where did it come from? The contemporary style took off in the US in the 1920s and 30s as dancers rebelled against the constraints of ballet, with modern dance legends like Martha Graham, Lester Horton and Doris Humphrey all active during this period. Today, choreographers still
