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*Company Artist Miranda Rubio in Julianna Rubio Slager’s* BareFace. *Photo by Kristie Kahns. Costume by Lorianne Robertson.*

Ballet is a timeless art form that has evolved over the centuries. However, in the 20th century, traditional ballet became characterized by a certain set of stories and forms that are now considered archaic and in need of innovation. These stories and forms, while once considered cutting edge, no longer resonate with today's audiences and fail to represent the diversity of our world. As such, it is essential that ballet embrace new and diverse stories and storytellers in order to remain relevant and engaging.

First and foremost, traditional ballet has been largely defined by a narrow set of stories that are rooted in a Eurocentric worldview. These stories often center on white, upper-class protagonists, and are frequently told through a male perspective. This approach to storytelling, while groundbreaking at the time, no longer reflects the diversity of the world we live in. It is time for ballet to expand its repertoire to include stories from other cultures and perspectives, stories that resonate with a more diverse audience.

In addition to expanding the stories, ballet must also embrace diverse storytellers. Historically, the choreographers and directors of ballet have been predominantly white and male. As such, the stories that have been told and the ways in which they have been told have been limited by this narrow perspective. By embracing a more diverse group of storytellers, ballet can expand its repertoire and better reflect the experiences of a wider range of individuals.

Moreover, ballet can benefit from incorporating modern technology and innovative staging techniques. As the world has become more interconnected and technological advances have transformed our daily lives, ballet must innovate to remain relevant. Incorporating modern technology and innovative staging techniques can make ballet more accessible and engaging to new audiences.

Finally, it is important to note that traditional ballet forms themselves can benefit from innovation. While classical ballet techniques are an essential foundation, there is room for experimentation and expansion. By embracing new techniques and movement styles, ballet can continue to evolve as an art form and remain relevant in the modern world.

Traditional ballet needs innovation to remain relevant and engaging. By embracing diverse stories and storytellers, incorporating modern technology and innovative staging techniques, and expanding classical ballet techniques, ballet can evolve to better represent the diversity of our world. It is time for ballet to break free from its archaic forms and stories of the 20th century and embrace a new era of innovation and creativity. Only by doing so can ballet remain an essential and dynamic art form in the 21st century.