ballet as taboo

History and rejection of ballet in São Paulo

Abstract

The professional dance scene in São Paulo seems averse to ballet. Although the training of generations of dancers includes classical dance technique, historically the professional scene restricts ballet to the realm of training, often excluding its potential for aesthetic realization. Based on interviews with dance directors and artists, as well as a review of the literature on the history of dance in São Paulo and a discussion of important public policies for dance in the city, this article traces the presence of ballet in São Paulo and the rejection of this dance form by the capital that symbolizes Brazilian modernism. This overview highlights the roots of modern dance in São Paulo, historical processes and groups that contributed to the popularization of forms opposed to classical aesthetics, relevant public policy proposals for dance, and the ongoing difficulty of ballet’s professionalization — also perceived as a rejection of the term itself, a taboo in São Paulo’s dance scene. Key-Words: Dance History; Ballet; São Paulo; Public Policy.