Center Stage (2000)

A group of 12 teenagers from various backgrounds enroll at the American Ballet Academy in New York to make it as ballet dancers and each one deals with the problems and stress of training and getting ahead in the world of dance.

Director:

Nicholas Hytner

Writer:

Carol Heikkinen

Stars:

Amanda Schull, Christine Dunham, Ethan Stiefel

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amanda Schull	...	Jody
Christine Dunham	...	Audition Teacher
Stephen Stout	...	Mr. Sawyer
Maryann Plunkett	...	Mrs. Sawyer
Laura Hicks	...	Nervous Mother
Barbara Caruso	...	ABA Scout
Jeff Hayenga	...	ABA Scout (as Jeffrey Hayenga)
Zoe Saldana	...	Eva (as Zoë Saldana)
Victor Anthony	...	Thomas
Karen Shallo	...	Mother at Audition
Carlo Alban	...	Eva's Friend
Giselle Daly	...	Eva's Friend
Ethan Stiefel	...	Cooper
Susan May Pratt	...	Maureen
Shakiem Evans	...	Erik (as Shakiem Evens)

Storyline

The education of three young students, Jodie, Eva and Maureen, as they study at the American Ballet Academy. Life isn't what they expected at the esteemed ABA, and all three face problems along the road. Jodie doesn't have the "ideal" body for dancing, Eva doesn't have the right attitude, and Maureen doesn't have the heart. Along the way, they learn that love can be found in unlikely places, and dancing should be a passion, not a duty.

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Plot Keywords:

ballet | dancer | dance | love | dancing | 

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Taglines:

Life doesn't hold tryouts.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and some sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

City Ballet

Filming Locations:

Fordham University, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts - Columbus Avenue & 61st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,604,621 (USA) (12 May 2000)

Gross:

ESP 14,363,416 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Laurence Mark Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Susan May Pratt, who plays the best dancer in the school, Maureen Cummings, had no ballet training before being cast.

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Goofs

The pizza that Maureen is eating at the bowling alley changes between shots.

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Quotes

Maureen Cummings: I'm just trying to be honest. That's what friends do.
Eva: I guess that would explain why you have so many friends.

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Connections

References Le jour et la nuit (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Coppélia - Mazurka"
Music by Léo Delibes

User Reviews

A wonderful and innovative behind-the-scenes film about the competitive world of dance

"Center Stage," a film about the lives of young modern dancers who want nothing more than to make a name for themselves, dazzles with some of the best on-screen dance performances since Patrick Swayze shook his hips in "Dirty Dancing" thirteen years ago. Starring some of the most talented modern dancers ever to hit the silver screen, "Stage" focuses its attention on the lives surrounding the young dancers and their struggles for stardom. The film is a revealing exploitation of the complexity associated with modern dance, diving into the realities of dance phenoms that sacrifice their social life for a role that will find them performing in front of a live audience.

Rating: 6