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The dazzling elegance and effortless grace seen on stage often mask a world of intense physical exertion, pain, and unwavering dedication. Janel Tukeeva, a leading soloist at the Kazakh National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, recently shared candid insights into the demanding profession of ballet, revealing the hidden struggles behind the artistry.

The Demands of the Stage

Behind the scenes, particularly in the lead-up to a performance, the pace of work is relentless. In the makeup room, Tukeeva, like many ballerinas, dedicates time to stretching and conditioning her body, a crucial practice to prevent injuries. This meticulous preparation is a testament to the physical toll ballet takes.

Navigating Injuries and Professional Hardships

Ballet is an exceptionally demanding and risky profession. As a principal soloist, Tukeeva boasts a repertoire of nearly 35 roles, including iconic performances in 'Swan Lake,' 'The Nutcracker,' and 'Carmen.' She holds a special fondness for the role of Shirin in 'Legend of Love,' which allows her to portray a delicate and graceful gazelle. However, Tukeeva emphasizes the inherent difficulties of her craft. She explains that dancers must constantly push their bodies beyond natural limits, often contorting joints and muscles in ways that defy natural anatomy. "Ballet is something against nature," she stated. "We are forced to bend our joints beyond their normal position. We even lift our legs using inner muscles, not straight. This must be done even when in pain. In our profession, there are rarely times when we are not experiencing some discomfort."

Financial Realities and Retirement

The financial compensation for ballet artists is structured by rank. Tukeeva noted that while her current salary is around 500,000 tenge, inflation quickly erodes its value. Previously, even as a leading soloist, her salary was closer to 180,000 tenge, a sum she described as insufficient for living. Salaries saw an increase after the theater was granted national status in 2021. However, a significant concern remains retirement. Previously, dancers with 20 years of service were eligible for retirement benefits. Now, this has been replaced by a severance payment equivalent to 60% of their salary, a sum considered very small. Consequently, artists who end their careers around the age of 37-40 are compelled to seek new sources of income.

Family Legacy and Future Aspirations

Tukeeva comes from a distinguished ballet family; her father is Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Murat Tukeev, and her mother is prima ballerina Maira Tukeeva. Aware of the profession's hardships, her parents initially discouraged her from pursuing ballet. However, having grown up immersed in the theater environment, Tukeeva fell in love with the art form from a young age. She is open to her own two daughters pursuing ballet but stresses she would never force them. Looking ahead, Tukeeva plans to open her own small ballet school.

Embracing New Roles and Personal Growth

Transforming into a new character for each performance is one of the most captivating aspects of a ballerina's work. Tukeeva enjoys embodying diverse personalities and eras, from delicate princesses to proud Carmens. She aspires to portray characters that contrast with her previous roles. "The most important thing for me is to convey emotion," she shared. "The audience doesn't notice our mistakes; they expect beauty and feeling from us."

This article was reported by Infohub.kz.