Ballet and prejudice

Part 1

It is a fact universally acknowledged that a dancer of high standing most be in want of a prestigious dance company. For generations untold the longbourn institute of dance has been in the business of training the perfect dancer and introducing her to the perfect company. longbourn has successfully done this  for years with their annual dance exhibition, a must attend for anyone who is anyone( in the world of dance at least). The Longbourn girls unlike countless other dancers do not audition for such companies. No, instead such companies compete to have the pleasure of having a Longbourn girl dance under their name. This honour was rare and only rewarded to those who were considered worthy by the spoilt children who currently roam the halls of the facilities. The facilities which weren't considered so, compete desperately for the attention of Longbourn's elite.  The exhibition as well as everything done at Longbourn is done to a point of pure splendour. As if to remind the rest of us, as if weren't already clear, that they are truly, without a doubt better the best of the best. The tradition started in the early 80s when Longbourn first opened its doors. Originally founded as a dance company itself, the founders found it was difficult to keep a hand on the spoilt rich kids they catered to. So instead of addressing the issue, they ignored it and found a way around it. They decided to allow one of the thousands already available dance company deal with them. So was born the Exhibition. A weekend long excuse to dress up and attempt to outshine each other. Friday night the companies and scouts are introduced. Considering the fact that the companies presented consisted mostly of ABC, and Pemberley scouts. The program is quite short. Saturday night is the main event. Dancers give short performances, because they couldn't be bothered to give long ones. Because, god forbid they actually break a sweat. On Sunday the companies approach the dancers they wish to represent and possibly sign contracts. While reporters break their necks to take pictures and interview the countries elite. Student become so fixated on the exhibition that they no longer focus on dance. To not attend, or gain the attention of a proper company, would be a disgrace from which a young dance would never be able to recover. Imagine the chaos that erupted when a scholarship girl who actually focused in her dance, snagged the most sought after Dance Company, and an interview with New York Times. Up to this point the scholarship students mostly went without notice. but this was just crossing a line. so what do they do? they work harder and attained the companies attention. Kidding. no, they bullied each and every scholarship student who dared step foot in Longbourn. unfortunately this year, I was one of those unlucky scholarship students.

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