Lyst, RoxannePratt, Laura2020-07-302020-07-302020https://hdl.handle.net/11244/325337Ballet, an artform conceived in the French courts of royalty, is rooted in elitist European and patriarchal ideals. In the United States today, and particularly in the field’s highest echelons, these ideals are often perpetuated through the practice, production and performance of ballet. In this thesis, the author claims that ballet has the capacity to be reimagined for feminist and egalitarian ideals through pedagogical reform, enforcement of body positivity, and choreographic restructuring of the movement vocabulary. The work of pedagogues, dancers, choreographers and artistic directors are reviewed to show instances in which artists have challenged ballet’s norms, and even pushed culture towards a more egalitarian future. The restructuring of ballet’s movement vocabulary is focused on in particular. Such instances of choreographic restructuring include women and men sharing more equal amounts of their weight with each other, thereby signifying egalitarian ideals and dismantling sexist notions of women being physically weaker than men. Additionally, women lifting other women with the use of ballet vocabulary and partnering techniques, and the presentation of queer romantic relationships through the classical narrative format also dismantle heteronormative ideals. Ultimately, the author asserts that ballet is capable of being reimagined for feminist and egalitarian ideals.balletmisogynyfeminism