Jin-Wen Yu Dance
In dance, the path to technical mastery has frequently been used as a metaphor for an individual’s experience–for the hero’s journey. In classical ballet, technical skill is also used to justify social hierarchies: different levels of skill are manifested very concretely in the division of dancers into principals, soloists, featured dancers, and corps. In ballet it’s self-evident that hierarchy is a natural structure for human society: princes and nobles are usually played by principal dancers, and the corps de ballet are often peasants. When ballet recognizes democracy, as in the swans of Swan Lake, a prima dancer is still distinguished by her skill, and the corps functions as the setting for this jewel. A well-danced Swan Lake makes it abundantly clear that such skill requires intense discipline and love of the art form; pursuing this level of artistry is the hero’s journey.
