Lucy Gray

Over fourteen years, photographer Lucy Gray documented the journey of three San Francisco Ballet dancers—Kristin Long, Tina LeBlanc, and Katita Waldo—as they navigated their lives as mothers and professional ballerinas. Aptly titled Balancing Acts, this series honors the unique physical demands and expectations these dancers faced, as many ballerinas are openly discouraged from having children. At the same time, these intimate shots also celebrate the everyday decisions all working mothers face. As Gray explains, “when Kristin does a tour jeté over her son in a rehearsal room, the thrill in her dual achievements transcends that particular space and creates a frisson that working parents all over the world can recognize.”

Source: The Cut, Balancing Acts

Lucy Gray, Katita and James backstage after her last dance at San Francisco Ballet, from the series Balancing Acts, Silver gelatin print, Unframed:16 × 20in. (40.6 × 50.8cm), Courtesy of the artist, San Francisco, California

Lucy Gray, Kristin gets back in shape with Martin and six-week-old Hannah, from the series Balancing Acts, Silver gelatin print, Unframed: 16 × 20in. (40.6 × 50.8cm), Courtesy of the artist, San Francisco, California

Lucy Gray, Sasha has been fed and is napping so Tina can work out, from the series Balancing Acts, Silver gelatin print, Unframed: 16 × 20in. (40.6 × 50.8cm), Courtesy of the artist, San Francisco, California

Lucy Gray, Katita and James backstage after a performance of Nutcracker Ballet, from the series Balancing Acts, Silver gelatin print, Unframed: 20 × 16in. (50.8 × 40.6cm), Courtesy of the artist, San Francisco, California

Lucy Gray, Kristin rehearses as Kai looks on, from the series Balancing Acts, Silver gelatin print, Unframed: 16 × 20in. (40.6 × 50.8cm), Courtesy of the artist, San Francisco, California

EXHIBITIONS // EXCHANGES // MEDIA

Katita and James backstage after a performance of Nutcracker Ballet, from the series Balancing Acts

WARSAW 2022

Lucy Gray

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