History Main / BalletEpisode

* ''Manga/SailorMoon'' has the episode "Aim for the Prima! Usagi's Ballet", where Usagi and Chibiusa try out for a local production of ''Theatre/{{Giselle}}'', as does [[{{Crossdresser}} Fisheye]]. The other Inner Senshi also go to ballet class. When a jealous Fisheye attacks the balletmaster and sends in the MonsterOfTheWeek, it's up to Sailor Moon to save the day.

* ''Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure'' takes this UpToEleven by assigning this role to TheMovie.

* ''Series/LambChopsPlayAlong'' has "Born to Dance", in which Lamb Chop takes up a new hobby. No points for guessing what the hobby is.

* In one episode of ''Series/TheOddCouple'', [[InTouchWithHisFeminineSide Felix]] gets involved in a production of ''Theatre/SwanLake''. He even forces Oscar into dancing one of the roles.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'': In "Billy Idiot", Billy gets a scholarship to a ballet academy, but the headmistress turns out to be a witch who feeds off the souls of talented people.

* ''Anime/Cyborg009'' has "Christmas Eve Mirage" for the 2001 series, focusing on 003's backstory. Naturally, this includes how she got into the world of ballet.

* In one episode of ''Series/TheOddCouple'', [[SensitiveGuy Felix]] gets involved in a production of ''Theatre/SwanLake''. He even forces Oscar into dancing one of the roles.

Often part of a BillyElliotPlot. For larger or standalone works about ballet, see, well, {{Ballet}}.

* ''Discworld/UnseenAcademicals'': Part of Nutt's football training involves taking the University team to the ballet, much to the surprise of everyone else. He says it's to help them learn poise and balance.

* Given the stylistic origins of rhythmic gymnastics, ''Fanfic/RhythmicPrettyCure'' is bound to have at least a few. For example, "The Good, the Bad and the Secret" has a concert featuring Tsumugi's younger brother Hiroyuki as its B-plot, and an [[FanFic/RhythmicPrettyCureVsSailorMoonCrystal upcoming crossover with]] ''Anime/SailorMoonCrystal'' will see all of Class G having ballet lessons at Yamagishi's studio in Azabu Juuban.

* In ''Series/{{Cheers}}'' episode "Dance, Diane, Dance", Diane follows her dream and auditions for the Boston ballet. She is terrible.

* Really, Creator/PBSKids programs seem to be fond of them. The special hour-long ChristmasEpisode of ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus'', for example, centers on a performance of ''The Nutcracker'' that Wanda wants to go see. (Incidentally, a "Who Are You?" segment appeared at the end of the broadcast master for a Season 4 episode.)

* Really, Creator/PBSKids programs seem to be fond of them. The special hour-long ChristmasEpisode of ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus'', for example, centers on a performance of ''The Nutcracker'' that Wanda wants to go see.

** In "My Fair Freddy" (one of the very last episodes of the series), Barney and the GreatGazoo stage a charm school for Fred in the garage (with Gazoo promising not to use his magic for once) after Fred and Wilma find themselves accepted into a Country Club. Fred ends up dancing ballet in tights and a small tutu as part of the class. Unknown to them all, Wilma and Betty see Fred doing this and Wilma is touched by Fred's intentions, but eventually this attracts a crowd of people around Bedrock (including the [[BrotherhoodOfFunnyHats Loyal Order of Water Bufflos]]), who discreetly watch Fred. Fred eventually ends his ballet and discovers the crowd watching him, driving him into ShamefulShrinking.

** "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS19E15SmokeOnTheDaughter Smoke on the Daughter]]" has Lisa being forced by Marge to live her dream of being a ballerina (she tried out as an adult, but her leg got stuck in place while practicing), where she discovers that the ballerina take up smoking to make themselves better. Homer and Bart steal the cigarettes before the big recital, causing them all to breakdown in front of everybody, followed by Lisa denouncing the art of ballet.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid'' episode "Wish Upon a Starfish" centers on Ariel wanting to be a ballerina, inspired by a music box she had just salvaged. In the United Kingdom, the volume on which it appeared on VHS even got the title "Ariel the Ballerina".

* A tough character wants or needs to explore their sensitive side - whether by their own choice or at the encouraging to others - and takes up ballet.

* A male character secretly enjoys ballet and/or other "girly-girl" things but doesn't want to speak to his traditionally masculine friends.
* A dreamy, idealistic young female character (usually a little girl) dreams of being in the ballet and signs up for the ballet class... but learns it isn't as glamorous and dreamy as they expected.

** In "Rushin' Ballet" Alfalfa and Spanky [[DisguisedInDrag disguise themselves as ballerinas]] and find themselves PushedInFrontOfTheAudience during a recital. Antagonists Butch & Woim dress up like boy balletists and sneak on too in order to continue beating up on Alfalfa. The same plot point was used in the 1994 film.

* The Fred Rogers Company returns to this concept with the ''WesternAnimation/PegPlusCat'' episode "The Dance Problem", where the titluar characters take the stage with guest star Misty Copeland. The problem is Cat's tail getting in his way.

[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/{{Doug}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dougballet.png]]]]

** "Rushin' Ballet" gave Fred Flintstone his trademark "twinkletoes" bowling style.

* The Fred Rogers Company returns to this concept with the ''WesternAnimation/PegPlusCat'' episode "The Dance Problem", where the title characters take the stage with guest star Misty Copeland. The problem is Cat's tail getting in his way.

* Both Creator/DarioArgento and Creator/LucioFulci have ballet movies amongst their directorial filmographies. Argento's is called ''Film/Suspiria1977'', which is also this to his ''Three Mothers Trilogy'' and is about a coven of witches who use a prestigious ballet school in Germany as a cover for their dealings in black magic, and Fulci's is a stand-alone giallo called ''Film/MurderRock'', which is about a ballet teacher who investigates a series of murders targeting her students.

* A tough character wants or needs to explore their sensitive side - whether by their own choice or encouraging to others - and takes up ballet.

* A tough character wants or needs to explore their sensitive side - whether by their own choice or encouraging of others - and takes up ballet.

* A tough character wants or needs to explore their sensitive side - whether by their own choice or at the encouraging to others - and takes up ballet.

* A tough character wants or needs to explore their sensitive side - whether by their own choice or at the encouraging of others - and takes up ballet.

* A tough character wants or needs to explore their sensitive side - whether by their own choice or at the urging of others - and takes up ballet.

* A dreamy, idealistic young female character (usually a little girl) dreams of being in the ballet and signs up for class... but learns it isn't as glamorous and dreamy as they expected.

Around half the time it will be a boy taking up ballet. He will be ridiculed by the others, but still shine through in the end. Another typical plot element is having a male character appear in female ballet attire. Good for worst laughs.

Around half the time it will be a boy taking up ballet. He will be ridiculed by the others, but still shine through in the end. Another typical plot element is having a male character appear in female ballet attire. Good for cheap laughs.

Sometimes in a series, one or more main characters will get the desire to try some ballet. In that episode, there will be a ballet thematic permeating the atmosphere. Expect some music from one of Tchaikovsky's three ballets (or from some other ballet) to be played at some point. Expect someone to wear a tutu and tights. And especially expect a lot of dancing.

* A male character secretly enjoys ballet and/or other "girly-girl" things but doesn't want to reveal to his traditionally masculine friends.

* A character with no previous interest in ballet discovers a unique talent for it, and has to decide what to do with their talent.