Ep 3. It's Cinderella or Nothing

In season 2 episode 3 of Breaking Pointe, titled "It's Cinderella or Nothing," the dancers of Ballet West are preparing for one of the most important performances of their season - the classic fairy tale ballet, Cinderella. As the opening night approaches, tensions rise along with the physical demands of the production.

The main focus of this episode is on dancers Beckanne Sisk and Zachary Prentice. Beckanne, a rising star at Ballet West, has been given the coveted lead role of Cinderella. However, she is struggling with the pressure and her own insecurities. She is also dealing with the fact that she is dancing opposite another principal dancer, Christopher Ruud, who is not her usual partner. To make matters worse, she is having difficulty getting the proper fit for her pointe shoes, a crucial element for any ballerina. Meanwhile, Zachary is vying for the role of Prince Charming, which he has been rehearsing for months. However, he begins to doubt himself as he faces strong competition from other male dancers in the company.

The company's artistic director, Adam Sklute, keeps a close eye on both dancers as he tries to guide them through their personal struggles and prepare them for the upcoming performances. He works closely with Beckanne to help her overcome her insecurities and get her mind in the right place for her big role. He also offers Zachary some advice and encouragement to help him regain his confidence and fight for the role he wants.

As the dancers continue to rehearse, it is clear that the pressure is mounting. One of the male dancers, Rex Tilton, injures his ankle during a lift in rehearsal, putting his participation in the production in jeopardy. Another dancer, Ronnie Underwood, struggles with the physically demanding role of the stepmother, which requires a lot of character acting in addition to dancing.

Despite the challenges, the dancers persevere and give it their all for the opening night. Beckanne rises to the occasion and delivers a stunning performance as Cinderella, wowing the audience and her fellow dancers alike. Zachary also impresses in his role as Prince Charming, showcasing his impressive technique and stage presence. However, not everything goes smoothly - technical difficulties with the set cause some complications during the performance.

Throughout the episode, we see the personal and professional struggles of the dancers at Ballet West. We get a glimpse into the intense physical and emotional demands of ballet, as well as the hard work and dedication required to excel in this art form. We also see the importance of teamwork and supporting one another, as the dancers rely on each other to make the production a success. Overall, "It's Cinderella or Nothing" is a captivating look into the world of professional ballet and the dedication it takes to succeed on stage.