The ballerinas make it look graceful. They make it look easy. But performing Swan Lake is a lot like running a marathon.
Swan Lake is one of the most well-known ballets. In the story, a prince falls in love with Odette. She is a beautiful woman who is turned into a swan.
The ballerina playing Odette dances for nearly two and a half hours straight. She has just one break. During intermission, she has 25 minutes to change her shoes and grab a snack.
During the final scenes, there’s “hardly enough time to get to the back wing, and then you’re back out,” says ballerina Unity Phelan. “You’re so exhausted and you have to run back out and keep going.”
Miriam Miller is another of the three New York City Ballet dancers playing Odette. The role “has every single ballet step in the book,” says Ms. Miller.
Sore muscles aren’t the only challenge. The ballerina must stay focused the entire time.
“It’s hard sometimes to go out onstage and not let your mind take over,” says Ms. Miller. “It wants to tell you, ‘Stop, you’re exhausted, just give up.’”
Since the role is so tough, the ballerinas must make sure they’re getting enough fuel. Ms. Miller eats plenty of foods rich in carbohydrates. (Carbohydrates are fiber, starches, and sugar. Your body breaks them down into glucose. That gives your body energy.) She also takes electrolytes ahead of performances. (Electrolytes are important minerals. Your body can lose them through sweat.) During the show, she snacked on a peanut butter protein bar and a banana.
Ms. Phelan packs in carbohydrates and protein the day before a show. “You’re nervous, so you’re not very hungry,” Ms. Phelan says. “But you have to make sure you eat because otherwise, you won’t have anything in you to help.”
No matter how well the ballerinas fuel, the performance takes a toll.
“I’ve definitely never been this exhausted after a show,” says Ms. Miller.
Still, the ballerinas say playing Odette is an honor, even if it means tired muscles.
And David danced before the Lord with all his might. — 2 Samuel 6:14
