Selena Gomez in Another Cinderella Story Every now and then, dance shows up in mainstream media, typically in movie or TV shows. Even though I've written an article about why you shouldn't watch Lifetime's Dance Moms, here's a list of my favorite dance oriented movie and shows that you SHOULD watch! 12. Mad Hot Ballroom (2005) As if middle school gym class isn't awkward enough, try having to learn how to dance...with your crush! Mad Hot Ballroom is a documentary that tells the story of a New York middle school that teaches ballroom dance to its students and has them to compete in local competitions. This film is interesting, quirky, and good for laugh or two. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 11. The Red Shoes (1948) This film is a twist on the classic fairytale about a girl who puts on a magical pair of ballet shoes that takes away her ability to stop dancing; in this version, an aspiring ballet dancer both dances the lead role in The Red Shoes ballet and struggles with the demands of the professional ballet world. This movie is good for old-fashioned movie fanatics and ballet lovers. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 10. Another Cinderella Story (2008) Because we couldn't get enough of the teenage dream that is A Cinderella Story (2004), four years later Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) starred in Another Cinderella Story, the tale of a young, aspiring dancer living under the thumb of her cruel stepmother (Jane Lynch). In this version of the fairytale, Mary (Gomez) wants nothing more than to follow in her late mother's footsteps and go to dance school. With the help of her dreamy pop star boyfriend (Drew Seeley), will she be able to live her dreams, or will she serve out the rest of her life as her stepmother's maid? Find out in this geared-for-tweens but great for all ages film. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 9. The Turning Point (1977) Another oldie but a goodie...The Turning Point tells the fictional tale of a retired ballet dancer who gave up her dance career to have and raise her daughter, who is now following her in footsteps and training to earn a place in the company her mother once danced for. This film shows the ups and downs of balancing a "normal life" with a career in dance and shows the competitiveness of the ballet world. Because this movie couldn't be awesome enough, the beautiful Mikhail Baryshnikov has a featured role in the film. 8. First Position (2011) The documentary First Position follows 6 young dancers around the world as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix, a prestigious ballet competition that can open doors for aspiring ballet dancers. This film gives an inside look into the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice that goes into turning children into stars and making their ballet dreams come true. The film also features inspiring stories, such as Michaela DePrince's, as well as jaw dropping performances. First Position is good for audiences of all ages and audiences with little to an extensive amount of knowledge of the ballet world. Available on: Netflix (Instant Play or DVD rental), Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes 7. A Ballerina's Tale (2015) A Ballerina's Tale is a documentary about the life and career of American Ballet Theatre principal Misty Copeland. Copeland's story of overcoming challenges and doubts from others and bringing diversity to the ballet world inspires people both in the dance world and outside of it. This documentary is good for anyone who loves a good underdog triumph story as well as any fan of ballet. Available on: Netflix (Instant Play or DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 6. Ballet Shoes (2007) Based on the novel by Noel Streatfeild, Ballet Shoes is the fictional story of three orphan girls who are enrolled in a performing arts academy in the hopes that they will make careers for themselves. One of the girls is a ballet prodigy, one falls in love with theatre, and the other struggles to find her place in the entertainment world. This movie is great for both young and older audiences. For all you Harry Potter fans out there, watch a young Emma Watson portray Pauline Fossil, one of the film's main characters. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video 5. Hairspray (2007) Based on both the 1988 film and Broadway musical of the same name, Hairspray tells the story of a young, overweight girl who dreams of nothing but dancing on a local television show with her thinner classmates. Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) leads an all star cast in this movie about challenging society standards and proving that everyone, regardless of appearance, weight, social class, and race can shine on the dance floor. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes Also look out for Hairspray Live!, airing on NBC on December 7, 2016. This TV adaptation of the musical will star newcomer and Marymount Manhattan College student Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad along with seasoned performers such as Kristin Chenoweth (Velma Von Tussle), Harvey Fierstein (Edna Turnblad), Martin Short (Wilbur Turnblad), Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth Maybelle), Derek Hough (Corny Collins), and Ariana Grande (Penny Pingleton). 4. Bunheads (2012) Back when Freeform was still known as ABC Family, there was a great scripted serious about a Vegas dancer (Sutton Foster) who ends up teaching ballet at a small studio in California. Foster's character feels trapped at first, but then grows to love her students and her role in their lives. to The show featured stunning dance performances, heartfelt stories, realistic drama, and the perfect amount of humor. The show ended three years ago and the jokes still crack me up. Disclaimer: The show was cancelled (even though I wrote a very lengthy letter to the producers of ABC Family as to why it should be renewed) due to low ratings and ended with story lines unresolved, but I would still recommend this show because it managed to warm my heart and make me laugh all at once. Long live Bunheads! Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 3. Breaking Pointe (2012) The CW's documentary series Breaking Pointe follows the company members of Ballet West during their performance season with the company. The series gives an inside look into the troubles and triumphs of professional ballet dancers. The show features beautiful dance performances, drama, romance, and humor. Breaking Pointe opens eyes to what it's like to do ballet for a living. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon video, iTunes 2. Center Stage (2000) This is my favorite dance movie of all time. Center Stage tells the fictional story of the fresh-out-of high school ballet dancer, Jody, on her quest to get into American Ballet Company (a parody of American Ballet Theatre). As an apprentice to the company, her naive eyes are opened to the competition, the harsh realities, the romances, the drama, and the joy of the professional ballet world. Along with her new friends, enemies, and dancer friend-boy (meaning he's not really her boyfriend but he can do everything a boyfriend can do but in a noncommittal way because rest in peace actual dating and relationships), will Jody find her place in the professional dance world? Watch this ridiculously awesome movie that features innovative choreography to find out. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 1. Dance Academy (2010) If you are going to watch just one of the shows or movies on this list, it should be Dance Academy. Dance Academy's fictional story begins with a young Australian girl who (spoiler) is accepted into an elite dance academy (not really a spoiler because there really wouldn't be a show if she hadn't gotten in), a feeder school for Australia's most prestigious ballet company. Along the way, Tara (the main character) makes friends and enemies and learns how hard she's going to have to work in order to hold her own at the academy and earn a place in the company. This show is very relatable to teenage/young adult dancers and anyone who loves dance or a good "dramady" in general. The series is full of beautiful dance performances, drama, humor, and wit, and is something all dancers should watch. Unlike Bunheads (rest in peace), the show concludes after three seasons with all of its plot lines concluded. This show is heartfelt and very under rated. It is also available to stream on Netflix (with a subscription) so start binge watching ASAP! Available on: Netflix (Instant Play and DVD rental), Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes Please note: the online availability of each movie or show is based on when this article was published. Do you love any of my twelve dance movies and shows, and/or are there any that you think should have made my list? Feel free to share their titles in the comments section below! Xenia Goodwin in Dance Academy Top photo originally published on Youtube.com
Bottom photo originally published on Xeniagoodwin.blog.cz
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September 2020
Offline Updates7/16 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the showcase I was selected to choreograph for at NYU was unfortunately cancelled. However, I was able to turn my work into a mini-documentary about the choreographic process and art prevailing during these trying times. You can watch my video my clicking the button below!
9/18 Follow my new Instagram just for my dance things!
12/23 I was one of NDEO's Guest Bloggers this year! Read "Teaching is a Vocation. Not a Fallback" on their Behind the Curtain Blog!
9/27 I will be presenting my research at the National Dance Education Organization National Conference next week! See my research project by clicking the button below!
4/15 While working on PMA's production of The Addams Family, I got to combine my two favorite styles of dance (ballet and musical theatre) for "The Moon and Me"! Watch my talented students dance by clicking the button below!
2/20 I am choreographing PMA Theatre Guild's Production of The Addams Family! Come see these amazing high school students perform at Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, MA April 13 & 14! Tickets available at the door.
2/20 I am stage managing BSU's Dance Kaleidoscope this year! Show dates are March 29-31 at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. Come see this student choreography showcase!
11/5 I will once again be dancing in a BSUDC concert! Tickets to WinterDance are now available!
8/24 NDEO's National Honor Society for Dance Arts has published one of my articles in their newsletter! Read an updated version of "Audition Advice" here:
5/16 Interested in learning about movement concepts? Visit Becca's new Educational Dance website!
5/8 BSU Dance Company's Dance Kaleidoscope 2017 is now on Youtube! You can watch my performances by visiting the VIDEOS page!
4/23 I recently performed for the residents of Allerton House in Hingham, MA! You can watch part of my performance here!
Amesbury Children's Theatre presents...James and the Giant Peach Jr, featuring choreography by me! Click for tickets!
2/8 My piece "Barefoot" is now available to watch online! Click to watch!
2/5 Happy to say I have been cast in BSU Dance Company's Spring concert Dance Kaleidoscope! I will be dancing in 3 faculty choreographed pieces, including excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty in which I will be dancing the role of Lilac Fairy! Show dates are March 31-April 1 at Bridgewater State University.
Click the button for more info! 1/15 Ballet with Becca is now on Facebook! Click to visit the page, and be sure to like it while you're there!
1/14 I am happy to say I will be attending artEmotion's summer intensive in June! I will be dancing in the one week artEmotion Adult Program. If anyone would like to join or audition for any other artEmotion program, visit their website!
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