29 episodes

In every ballet studio, there is a wall of mirrors. It reflects the people within. They’re part of a closed, elite group that asks for sacrifice and devotion from its members. This insular community produces iconic artists. It’s founded on a strict power structure, often with one man at the top. By tracing the origins of this unusual lifestyle, starting with the legacy of choreographer George Balanchine and the intimate stories of young dancers, we expose the beauty of an artform and the complexity of ballet culture.

The Turning: Room of Mirrors iHeart True Crime

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 56 Ratings

In every ballet studio, there is a wall of mirrors. It reflects the people within. They’re part of a closed, elite group that asks for sacrifice and devotion from its members. This insular community produces iconic artists. It’s founded on a strict power structure, often with one man at the top. By tracing the origins of this unusual lifestyle, starting with the legacy of choreographer George Balanchine and the intimate stories of young dancers, we expose the beauty of an artform and the complexity of ballet culture.

    S2: Ep 1 - Only I Can See You

    S2: Ep 1 - Only I Can See You

    PART ONE - "He used to say, 'What are you looking at dear? You can't see you. Only I can see you.'"

     

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    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/turningtranscripts
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    • 44 min
    S2: Ep 2 - Ritual Healing

    S2: Ep 2 - Ritual Healing

    PART TWO - "I would experiment a little. I would go to the theater, and the lights would go down, and I would say, 'Okay, I'm going to give you my mood. I'm going to give you all these troubles, and you do something with it,' said I to the stage. And then I would walk out, and I felt like somebody had rinsed me."For more content, follow us on Instagram @RococoPunchTRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/turningtranscripts
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    • 38 min
    S2: Ep 3 - Risk All

    S2: Ep 3 - Risk All

    PART THREE - "There are no windows, because we don't need windows, because the outside world doesn't matter. He was God in the theater. Ever observing, ever present. Are you a patriot? Are you a citizen? Are you willing to do whatever I ask you to do?"

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    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/turningtranscripts
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    • 40 min
    S2: Ep 4 - The Muses

    S2: Ep 4 - The Muses

    PART FOUR - "Balanchine was so fond of perfume that leaves the scent of that dancer behind, and it still permeates."

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    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/turningtranscripts
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    • 47 min
    S2:Ep 5 - The Prince

    S2:Ep 5 - The Prince

    PART FIVE - "Gone unchecked, bad things can happen. And they did."

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    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/turningtranscripts
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    • 44 min
    S2:Ep 6 - A Golden Year

    S2:Ep 6 - A Golden Year

    PART SIX - "It feels like this hazy distant silhouette of a thing that doesn’t feel real, like a wild dream that I can’t fully recall."

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    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/turningtranscripts
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 42 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
56 Ratings

56 Ratings

@marynickname ,

Brilliant

The most amazing podcast ever.
The story is fascinating albeit heartbreaking.
The have told this story with such respect.
It’s a masterpiece on every level.

MaureyL ,

Fascinating

I found this podcast extremely moving. It is exhaustively researched and the choice of music and interviews is outstanding. Highly recommended.

HarvNagra ,

Binge listen

Excellent podcast, had to binge it over three days. Went on a journey from "well, isn't that what the life of a nun is supposed to be?" to a more nuanced understanding of the MCs and issues within. Now I just need to find something else this good to listen to.

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