First Position

Every year, ballet dancers from the ages of 9 to 19 work hard to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix Competition (YAGP).  The YAGP is "the world’s largest global network of dance. It fulfills its mission of dance education through scholarship auditions, master classes, alumni services, educational and outreach activities, performances, and films."  The competition is held every year, with the finals in New York City.  It is an opportunity for young dancers to be noticed and gives older dancers scholarships to the top international ballet schools or contracts to the top international ballet companies.

In 2010, filmmaker Bess Kargman followed the stories of 6 top dancers as they prepared for their 5 minutes before the judges.  In the Pre-Competitive Age Division (dancers from 9-11 years old): Aran Bell and Gaya Bommer Yemini; Junior Age Division (12-14 years old): Miko Fogarty, Michaela DePrince; and Senior Age Division (15-19 years old): Rebecca Houseknecht and Joan Sebastian Zamora.


Ballet is difficult, it takes dedication and grace to make it look effortless.  Like other professional athletes, they start young and dedicate money and time to their craft.  For young ballet dancers it all culminates with the YAGP.  Thousands of young dancers compete around the world for a shot at the Grand Prix.  Semi finals are held around the world, and the finalists all travel to New York for their 5 minutes on stage.  Only a few hundred dancers make it to the finals, and of that group, only a few in each category are recognized / awarded.

The dancers only have one shot to prove why they are on stage.  It doesn't matter if you make a mistake or have an injury/sickness.  Kargman films the journeys of 6 dancers who make it to the finals.  She shows their victories in the semi finals and practicing at home.  But it isn't all rosy, they also talk about what the dancers give up to pursue their dreams: a childhood, a competitive profession that they won't all achieve (even though it is their dream).  It is expensive and injuries can ruin or stall a career, and yet this is the dream for these dancers.

Kargman used to study ballet, and for her first film, she wanted to dive into a world that she already knew.  She films the beautiful gifts these dancers possess and doesn't interfere with their stories.  All of the dancers competed in the YAGP 2010.  Before the credits roll she checks in with each dancer to see what happened after the competition.

It is a fascinating film, whether you love or hate ballet.  The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011 to critical acclaim.  It was named as the first runner-up for Best Documentary at the festival.

First Position (2011) 95 minutes
Director: Bess Kargman
Starring: Aran Bell
Rebecca Houseknecht
Joan Sebastian Zamora
Miko Fogarty
Jules Jarvis Fogarty
Michaela DePrince
Gaya Bommer Yemini