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, Ethan Stiefel, Sascha Radetsky

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:

gay | homosexual | ballet | lincoln center for the performing arts | dance academy | 

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Taglines:

Life doesn't hold tryouts.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and some sensuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Cooper blows Jody off after the performance and walks off with another girl ( leaving Jody standing alone by the door) the "other girl" is played by Ethan Stiefel's real-life fiancée, ballerina Gillian Murphy.

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Goofs

As Jody and Eva leave their room to smoke, the number on the door says 903C. When they run into Eric in the hall, he tells them to "come downstairs" to smoke. When the three arrive at his door, the number is 1103C.

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Quotes

Cooper: If you're still holding onto all that personal shit.
Jonathan Reeves: I don't have to hold onto anything. I got the girl.

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Connections

Followed by Center Stage: On Pointe (2016)

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Soundtracks

Don't Get Lost in the Crowd (from 'Center Stage')
Written by Joy Askew with Lashawn Daniels (as LaShawn Daniels)
Produced by Rodney Jerkins and Harvey Mason Jr.
Performed by Ashley Ballard
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Danse ta vie

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,604,621, 14 May 2000

Gross USA:

$17,200,925

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,385,941

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Laurence Mark Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1