Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia

Russia is often considered the epicenter of classical ballet. It is little wonder, therefore, that a young dancer dreaming of ballet purity would seek the source of the art. Womack’s memoir tells how, as an American teenager, she gained entry and rose to the rank of a bona fide Russian ballerina and how personal struggles and political realities impacted her career trajectory. As promised by the title, Womack’s memoir takes readers inside the world of Russian ballet to glimpse how these elite dancers are trained and assimilated into preeminent companies such as the Bolshoi. The expected descriptions of harsh conditions, demanding teachers, and corruption are plentiful, though tempered by examples of kindness and support from those who nurtured Womack through her journey. She also writes candidly about her battle with an eating disorder and mentions past sexual abuse. Ballet practitioners will be tantalized by allusions to the training techniques and performance coaching she experienced, though Womack does not reveal those mysteries thoroughly enough to utilize.