Ballet, with its meticulous precision and mythic poise, may seem like the least superstitious of art forms. Every step is plotted, every gesture rehearsed, every toe pointed in perfect order. Yet beneath that polish lies a quietly humming network of rituals, omens, and charms—a culture of belief as disciplined as the technique itself.
Dancers, it turns out, are deeply superstitious people. They touch the floor before stepping onstage, refuse to rehearse in costume on opening day, and cling to small signs: a dropped ribbon, a snapped bobby pin, a sudden slip. These gestures are rarely discussed outside studio walls, yet they are as much a part of ballet’s tradition as its music or choreography.
The Paradox of a Bad Dress Rehearsal
Among the most enduring of these beliefs is the idea that a bad dress rehearsal predicts a great opening night. It’s a paradox repeated across theater and music, but it seems to hold special weight in dance, where perfection is both the goal and the enemy. A rough run-through, with missteps and minor errors, is interpreted as clearing the way for a flawless performance in front of an audience. The superstition persists, not because it can be scientifically verified, but because dancers, like many performers, seek ways to control uncertainty.
Private Rituals, Public Calm
Beyond shared folklore, individual dancers develop personal rituals—tiny acts of faith that accompany them from theater to theater. In touring companies, such as NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, performers often carry routines that help them navigate the unpredictable conditions of multiple stages and audiences. Some dancers have strict rules about which foot they lead with, or which order they put on shoes and costume pieces. These practices, carried in silence, can anchor performers through the chaos of touring life: unfamiliar theaters, shifting floors, and the constant demand for technical precision
The Strange Etiquette of Luck
Language in ballet carries its own taboos. Where actors might say “break a leg” or wish each other good luck, dancers typically avoid these phrases entirely. Instead, they say “merde.”
The origin of this tradition goes back to nineteenth-century France, when horse-drawn carriages delivered audiences to theaters. A full audience meant the streets outside were crowded with manure—a literal mark of success. Wishing someone “merde” was, therefore, wishing them a well-attended performance. Though the literal meaning has faded, the ritual endures. Backstage, dancers still whisper “merde” before taking the stage, and it has become a token of goodwill and fortune within the dance community.
When Precision Meets Belief
For outsiders, superstition in ballet may seem contradictory. The art form prizes control: the exact turn of a head, the measured breath before a leap, the perfect alignment of body and music. And yet that very control may be what fuels ritual.
Even in professional companies, ballet is unpredictable. Floors can be slick, costumes can shift, the orchestra’s tempo can fluctuate. Superstitions offer performers a sense of agency in a world where every performance carries risk. The more disciplined the art, the deeper the reliance on ritual—a quiet negotiation between preparation and chance.
The Nutcracker and the Season of Rituals
During the holiday season, these superstitions become visible in touring productions such as NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. The show travels across dozens of cities, blending ornate costumes, classical choreography, and festive spectacle. Behind the scenes, dancers follow routines that may seem mysterious to audiences: precise warm-ups, personal habits with shoes and costumes, and carefully timed entrances.
Audiences see the magic—snowflakes drifting, the Dove of Peace flying, the Nutcracker battling the Rat King—but the invisible choreography of superstition also plays out. The whispered “merde” before stepping onstage, the careful attention to starting foot, the small gestures repeated as if by instinct—these are the rituals that accompany every performance.
The Art of the Invisible
These practices endure because they support performance, not because they promise literal magic. Superstition functions as a psychological and cultural tool, offering a measure of stability amid the unpredictability of live dance. Personal rituals, shared customs, and careful observances form a lattice of meaning and comfort, guiding dancers as they execute moves that push the limits of the human body.
Whether it’s the tradition of a bad dress rehearsal, the French “merde,” or private routines honed over years, superstition is entwined with ballet’s culture. It underscores the art form’s fragility and its performers’ dedication. The invisible choreography of belief complements the visible choreography on stage, a reminder that ballet is as much a negotiation with chance as it is a demonstration of skill.
Witnessing the Ritual
Attending a production like NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet allows audiences a glimpse into this hidden world. While the story unfolds onstage—Clara’s journey, the ethereal Dove of Peace, the battle of Nutcracker and Mouse King—dancers are carrying out quiet acts that ensure the performance flows. The traditions, some centuries old, continue to influence everything from posture to timing, grounding the extraordinary technical demands in human habit and faith.
In that sense, superstition is not a relic but a living part of ballet. It provides rhythm and reassurance, a bridge between discipline and uncertainty. By understanding these rituals, audiences can appreciate another dimension of dance: the invisible preparation, the private observances, and the gestures that make a performance possible.
So when you next attend a ballet—whether a holiday favorite or a classical staple—look for the signs. The murmured “merde,” the small habitual gestures, the care with which dancers approach the stage: these are all part of the dance, integral to the art form as any grand jeté or pirouette.
Ballet, in its public perfection, is built on private rituals. And in that quiet tension between control and belief lies a significant part of its enduring magic. As the curtain rises this season, those unseen rituals will once again bring NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet to life in theaters across the country.
by Cynthia Dragoni / Dance Lens
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