De-Orientalizing Classical Ballet in the Twenty-First Century

Author

Pamela Gendron, Sotheby's Institute of Art

Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Contemporary Art

First Advisor

Aliza Shvarts

Second Advisor

Morgan Falconer

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to examine the efficacy of strategies used to de-Orientalize canonical ballets. Of particular interest are contemporary productions of The Nutcracker, La Bayadère and Giselle. Through close readings of digitized performances, I explore the ways in which the best practices for presenting non-offensive stereotypes put forth by community leader Final Bow for Yellowface reinforce the conservative impulse of ballet rather than inspire radical change. I present an alternative option for renegotiating racial stereot􏰁pes in ballet through Akram Khan􏰀s commissions for the English National Ballet, situating his 􏰂ork 􏰂ithin Anurima Banerji􏰀s concept of partatopic performance.

Recommended Citation

Gendron, Pamela, "De-Orientalizing Classical Ballet in the Twenty-First Century" (2020). MA Theses. 67.
https://digitalcommons.sia.edu/stu_theses/67