Though I have since hung up my pointe shoes, I'm still expanding my knowledge of the world of ballet each day by watching documentaries and social media content made by and about the challenges of being a classical dancer. Inspired by my findings, I present to you my selection of roles whose challenges extend beyond that of just(!) technical difficulty. One challenge is "playing" a dual identity role such as that of Odile/Odette from Swan Lake, or Swanilda/Coppélia from Coppélia. Another brilliant yet astoundingly complex dance is the "Adage à la rose" from The Sleeping Beauty, in which the heroine must dance with not just one but four different partners...
