A Guide for Ballet First-Timers
Welcome!
Thank you for joining us at the ballet! If you’re a first-time attendee, we know you might have some questions. Below you’ll find a helpful FAQ to guide you through your first BalletMet performance.
Have a question we don’t cover here? Please feel free to email us at dance@balletmet.org or message us via Facebook or Instagram (@BalletMet). We’ll get back to you ASAP!
Where do you perform?
BalletMet performs at the Ohio Theatre, The Davidson Theater (located inside the Vern Riffe Center) and sometimes at our own black box theatre located on our campus.
What do I wear?
This is our most-asked question, and the answer is: You probably won’t feel out of place no matter what you wear. If you want to wear jeans, go for it—we promise you won’t be alone. If you want to dress up, feel free. Many others do, too. We don’t see as much formal-wear in the theater as we once did, though it wouldn’t be unusual to see a tux or a gown at a performance. Basically, anything goes.
Is there a story?
It varies. Some ballets follow a plot and others are just about patterns or movement. Ultimately, ballet is meant to be for you to experience. What you take from it, how you interpret it—there is no right or wrong way.
What does a company dancer actually mean?
It means they are a professional, full-time dancer in our company, or group, of dancers, much like an NBA player to an NBA team. Our dancers all proudly live and work here in Columbus but hail from all over the world!
When do I clap?
If you are wowed by something you just saw, please do applaud. At BalletMet, we love to hear clapping. It’s uplifting to those performing, as they can often feel your excitement and energy on stage. So applaud whenever you see fit! Note: Not every ballet company feels this way, so keep that in mind if you happen to be at another company’s performance.