What type of body do ballet companies look for?
Most classical ballet companies look for body types for female dancers with the following measurements: Height: 5’2″ to 5’8″ Weight: 85-115 lbs Long neck in proportion to rest of body Small bust Narrow hips Small posterior Slim thighs that appear to be about the same width as calves Thin ankles and long feet Small head Slightly sloping shoulders that are wider than hips Straight back with slim waistline, with torso neither too long nor too short in proportion to rest of body Long arms and hands Long straight legs with slight hyper-extension and minimal visible muscular bulk Well-arched foot with all toes approximately the same length Other criteria include: Natural turnout Long Achilles tendon for deep demi-plié Flexible lower back for arabesques and backbends Well-stretched hamstrings for high extension Squared-off toes for better distribution of the weight en pointe The ideal measurements of a professional male dancer are as follows: Height: 5’9″ to 6’2″ Weight: 135-165 lbs Straight
