A new young adult novel, Don’t Forget to Smile, delves into the demanding and sometimes troubling world of professional ballet, offering readers a fictional glimpse into the lives of aspiring dancers. Written by Ariane Beeston, a former dancer, teacher, and choreographer, the book explores themes of rivalry, dedication, and the darker aspects of the ballet industry, drawing inspiration from real-world issues and online discourse.
A Tale of Two Ballerinas
The novel centers on Clara and Elle, two teenage ballerinas competing for a coveted spot in the International Ballet Grand Prix at the Sydney Opera House. Clara, who has dedicated her life to ballet, faces off against Elle, a naturally gifted dancer who has recently achieved viral fame on TikTok. Their initial rivalry, fueled by Clara’s perception of Elle’s effortless rise and Elle’s view of Clara as aloof, gradually evolves into a grudging respect and friendship. Through their journey, Beeston illuminates the immense discipline, rigorous training, and physical exertion required to achieve the seemingly effortless grace of ballet.
Unveiling Ballet’s Challenges
While Don’t Forget to Smile captures the aspirational spirit of ballet, it does not shy away from its more challenging realities. The narrative opens with a stark depiction of nude photographs of young dancers being circulated, setting a tone that acknowledges the industry’s potential pitfalls. A significant subplot involves Jason Manning, a veteran ballet star who exploits a teenage dancer named Lilac Fairy by promising her career advancement.
Beeston stated that this storyline was partly influenced by the experiences of Alexandra Waterbury, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet, who took legal action against the company alleging the non-consensual sharing of nude images by male dancers. Beeston highlighted the difficulty young dancers, particularly women, face in speaking out due to the highly competitive nature of the ballet world, where the fear of being replaced is ever-present.
The novel also addresses outdated gender norms within ballet. When Elle’s friend Ben wishes to perform a notoriously difficult technique, dancing en pointe (on the tips of the toes in specialized shoes), a move traditionally reserved for female dancers, the conservative ballet school rejects his aspiration, clinging to tradition.
The Impact of #BalletTok
Elle’s character uses her TikTok account, @HardCorpsTruths, to voice her critiques of the ballet establishment. She discusses issues such as routine body shaming, instances of cultural insensitivity by ballet companies—citing the historical use of blackface by the Bolshoi Ballet—and the significant financial barriers to entry in ballet training. Beeston explained that she was inspired by a burgeoning online movement where young dancers are holding the ballet world accountable.
“I watched so many TikToks about this — these kids coming through love ballet and everything about it, but they can also want to change it,” Beeston commented. “They’re able to hold both of those truths at the same time and do it in a way that is starkly funny and intelligent. I learned a lot from watching that. Just because you fiercely love something doesn’t mean that you can’t also want aspects of it to change.”
Personal Reflections and Recovery
Beeston sees elements of herself in both Clara and Elle. She identifies with Clara’s traditionalist upbringing in ballet during the 1990s, noting the paradox of how much has changed yet how little has fundamentally shifted in some respects. She also finds a reflection of her current self in Elle’s more critical perspective, acknowledging a personal journey toward viewing the ballet world more critically.
Beeston’s own departure from ballet was due to being considered too short, an experience she notes is common. “I think there are still quite stringent requirements around height and body shape. It’s one of the harsh realities that you can burn out and feel ‘Well, there’s nothing I can do to change this, the ballet world doesn’t want me’,” she stated. While acknowledging improvements in diversity, she believes there is still significant progress to be made.
The novel also touches upon the transformative power of performance. Clara describes a sense of serenity on stage, where anxiety dissipates, allowing her to feel strong and powerful. Beeston, who returned to dancing after experiencing severe perinatal mental illness, found it to be a crucial part of her recovery. She now teaches adult beginner classes, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of being present in the body through movement.
“Part of what I found so healing was that when you’re in the studio, dancing, you’re very much out of your head and in your body,” Beeston explained. “I find, now, for people I know who experience anxiety, dancing and moving through that can be so helpful. My lovely adult beginner ballerinas come in from different careers, or they’re parents, and for them it is such a nice hour where you can forget about what’s happening in the world outside and just focus on dance; it is really special.”
Don’t Forget to Smile offers a nuanced portrayal of the ballet world, blending the allure of artistic achievement with a candid examination of its inherent pressures and ethical challenges.
