I will dance because…

boys dance too

What do we hope to achieve?

We hope to help alleviate and bring light to the societal stigmatism surrounding male dancers and traditional gender roles, as well as inspire young boys to pursue dance.

We hope to help alleviate and bring light to the societal stigmatism surrounding male dancers and traditional gender roles, as well as inspire young boys to pursue dance.

The issue.

According to Doug Risner, PhD., MFA:

  • Only 13% of dancers are male.

  • Only 32% of male dancers have support from their fathers.

  • Over 85% of male adolescents who study dance are bullied & harassed in the U.S.

  • Over 96% of boys studying dance were teased and called names like "gay," "f*ggot," "sissy," "homo," "queer," among other things.

  • Over 76% of boys who dance believed that their male peers stopped dancing because people thought they were gay.

According to the National Dance Education Organization:

  • In 2019, it was reported that dance education was offered in only 15% of High Schools, compared to 4% of Elementary Schools, 6% of Middle Schools.

Hear first-hand accounts

Peter Boal, PNB Artistic Director

Steven McRae, Royal Ballet Principal Dancer

Thomas Forster, ABT Principal Dancer

Silas Farley, SMU Artist in Residence

Our solutions.

  • Short film in collaboration with San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and New York City Ballet to gain national awareness of the issue, exposure to the arts, and inspire young boys to dance. Learn more about this film here.

  • Art exhibits around the US, at museums, theaters, airports, and other public venues, featuring photographs, videos, and costumes of male dancers to celebrate their contributions to the ballet world. Learn more about the exhibits here.

  • Film screenings, live performances, and Q&A sessions with male dancers to encourage exposure to the art form. Read a reflection from Adam Moreno (Dean of Students, Stuart Hall School for Boys) here.

Make a Donation

Every donation you make directly fuels our mission to empower marginalized communities within the dance world. Your contribution isn't just a donation; it's an investment in building a brighter future. Join us in making a difference today!