Bunheads: Successful Rejection

In ballet, there’s an eight-letter word so powerful it makes even the most experienced dancers quake. (No, I’m not talking about fouettes!) Audition—it’s a loaded word that brings to mind numerical identities, a whispering panel and hundreds of other bunheads who all seem to have better feet and 180-degree turnout. Last night’s episode of “Bunheads” showed that, although many dancers define an audition’s success by whether they get accepted, those who can see the whole picture know that getting in isn’t everything.

The Joffrey summer program audition in Paradise challenged all the “bunheads” in different ways. Fanny struggled to maintain her reputation, Michelle was haunted by dreams of past rejections and Sasha had to decide whether or not to help her competition. However, no one was faced with more obstacles than Boo. From her doubtful mother to the never-ending rounds of cuts, Boo should have lost all hope. Instead, Boo persistently reentered the audition, dressed in Fanny’s guises and determined to show the people from Joffrey everything she had to offer. No, Boo was not accepted into the program, but even after the final rejection, not a tear was shed. She had danced her best and never gave up, and that was all the success she needed. Who knows, maybe she really will have “better luck next year.”