Three Interesting Facts

 

Cover of "Ballet for Dummies" by Scott Speck and Evelyn Cisneros

 In terms of interesting facts about Evelyn Cisneros, there are many. One of the most pivotal moments that encouraged her activism was when she was forced to lighten her skin as a requirement of being in the corps ballet in San Francisco. Under the administration of one ballet master, she was forced to apply white makeup to any part of exposed skin on her body as she was deemed too dark-complected for her performances. According to the article “First Hispanic Prima Ballerina Recalls Obstacles She Overcame”, Evelyn Cisneros stated, “I remember saying, ‘I don't want to look like everybody else’... I thought ‘OK, you will not make me cry and you will not make me quit’”. From this point on, Cisneros refused to lighten her skin for another performance again. Another interesting fact is that Cisneros co-wrote "Ballet for Dummies" alongside musical conductor, Scott Speck. This book is just one part of the extensive literary trilogy and allows readers to have a less intimidating, instructional guide to ballet. A final fact about her is that she retired from San Francisco Ballet in 1999 to focus on starting a family with her husband Dr. Stephen Legate and to start an endeavor into teaching ballet at Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah.