AMERICAN MASTERS: Ballerina Boys

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AMERICAN MASTERS “Ballerina Boys” is a portrait of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (“The Trocks”), an all-male ballet company and international dance sensation. For over 45 years the company has shared their signature style and message of equality, inclusion and social justice with audiences around the world.

The men perform classical ballet en pointe and in drag, challenging the art form’s rigid gender norms as they mix rigorous technique with comedy and satire.

Inspired by the Stonewall Riots of 1969, the company was fueled by the spirit of defiance and creative exuberance that the gay rights movement unleashed.

The film follows The Trocks on tour in the Carolinas, an epicenter of continued struggles for LGBTQ rights.

“Ballerina Boys” interweaves original interviews and contemporary and archival performance footage to tell the remarkable history of the company and culminates with The Trocks’ 2019 performance at the Stonewall 50th anniversary concert at Central Park’s SummerStage in New York City.

In the words of ballerina Kevin Garcia, “Every time the curtain opens we represent progress for equality. We just do it dancing.”

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Dancer Duane Gosa applies makeup backstage.

Courtesy of Merrywidow Films LLC Photographer credit: Laura Nespola

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Duane Gosa (right) and Josh Thake (left) in "Stars and Stripes" standing back to back.

Courtesy of Merrywidow Films LLC Photographer credit: Laura Nespola

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Dancer Duane Gosa in "Stars and Stripes."

Courtesy of Merrywidow Films LLC Photographer credit: Laura Nespola

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Dancer Kevin Garcia in "Swan Lake."

Courtesy of Merrywidow Films LLC Photographer credit: Laura Nespola

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Row of four Trocks in "Swan Lake." Dancers from left to right: Long Zou, Noah Herron, Kevin Garcia, Jack Furlong Jr.

Courtesy of Merrywidow Films LLC Photographer credit: Laura Nespola

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Trocks performing "Swan Lake." Kevin Garcia (center).

Courtesy of Merrywidow Films LLC Photographer credit: Laura Nespola

Interviewees:

• Tory Dobrin, Artistic Director of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
• Peter Anastos, founding director/choreographer of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
• Eric Marcus, author and LGBTQ historian
• Natch Taylor, former dancer, Artistic Director and founding member of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
• Roy Fialkow, former dancer with the Les Ballet des Trockadero de Monte Carlo
• Kevin Garcia, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer
• Albie Pretto, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer
• Jack Furlong Jr., Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer
• Chris Ouellette, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer
• Duane Gosa, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer
• Joshua Thake, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer
• Boysie Dikobe, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer
• Philip Martin-Nielson, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer

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Credits:


A production of Merrywidow Films in association with American Masters Pictures and ITVS. Directed and produced by Chana Gazit and Martie Barylick. Michael Kantor is executive producer of AMERICAN MASTERS.