Center Stage Cast Reunites 20 Years Later to Talk Ballet, Representation and More

Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Ethan Stiefel, and Sascha Radetsky are reuniting to discuss the impact that “Center Stage” continues to have on their lives 20 years later. It launched the careers of Schull and Saldana, both of whom admitted during the reunion that this movie helped them realize that they truly wanted to devote their life to acting. Saldana had given up on becoming a dancer prior to landing the role.

Booking “Center Stage” was beyond Saldana’s wildest dreams.

Two or three years before that Saldana moved back from the Caribbean to New York and she wanted to continue and try to maybe pursue a professional career in ballet. But Saldana was incredibly discouraged with the lack of diversity in the classical form of dance. This role sealed the deal of Saldana becoming an actress. Speaking of diversity, they all touched on the importance of representation in this film, particularly in putting an end to the stereotypes of male dancers.

They each said that since making the film, they have heard from countless fans who felt empowered by their characters. All of the men in the dance world have stories of harassment or just stupid stuff growing up because there are some stereotypes associated with male dancers. Unfortunately the harassment seems to endure but yes, “Center Stage” has been really effective in dispelling some of those stereotypes and opening people’s eyes to the beauty, power, athleticism, and other ineffable virtues of dance and male dance in particular.

The reunion hosted by the American Ballet Theater comes as “Center Stage” is being made into a series by Sony Pictures. Details are forthcoming, but it is safe to say the series will be en pointe.