Cuba's Ballet Dancers Are Defying Blackouts to Keep the Art Alive

Julia Wagner · 2026-09-29

Cuba's ballet tradition is legendary. It's produced some of the world's most celebrated dancers, and it's been a source of national pride for generations. But right now, that tradition is being tested like never before. Daily blackouts. Food shortages. Limited transportation. These are the realities that dancers at the Cuban National Ballet face every single day. And yet, they keep dancing. ### When the Lights Go Out, the Music Doesn't Stop Imagine you're in the middle of a grueling rehearsal. You've been working on a routine for weeks. The choreography is demanding, your muscles are sore, and you're pushing through because opening night is close. Then, without warning, the power cuts out. The studio goes dark. The music stops. Most people would call it a day. But in Cuba, dancers don't leave. They adapt. They move to a smaller room with natural light. They clap rhythms instead of using a speaker. They keep going because ballet isn't just a job for them—it's a lifeline. "We've learned to work with whatever we have," one dancer told reporters. "If there's no electricity, we find a way. If there's no water, we bring our own. The show must go on." That kind of resilience doesn't come from nowhere. It's baked into the culture of Cuban ballet, where dancers are trained to be resourceful, disciplined, and fiercely dedicated to their craft. ### The Choreographers Who Keep Creating Against All Odds It's not just the dancers who are struggling. Choreographers are also feeling the pinch. With limited resources, they can't always bring their biggest ideas to life. Costumes are patched and re-patched. Sets are minimal. Props are reused from old productions. But instead of letting these constraints limit their creativity, many choreographers are using them as inspiration. They're stripping dance down to its essence—movement, emotion, storytelling—and finding new ways to connect with audiences. - **Resourcefulness**: Choreographers are creating pieces that require fewer dancers and simpler staging. - **Collaboration**: Studios are sharing costumes, rehearsal spaces, and even transportation to make ends meet. - **Innovation**: Some are incorporating elements of Cuban street dance and folklore, giving traditional ballet a fresh twist. It's a reminder that art doesn't need a big budget to be powerful. Sometimes, the most moving performances come from the most challenging circumstances. ### What This Means for Dance Studios Everywhere If you run a dance studio or teach classes, you know that challenges come with the territory. Maybe it's a tight budget. Maybe it's low enrollment. Maybe it's a leaky roof that you can't afford to fix. Cuba's ballet community offers a masterclass in perseverance. They show us that passion and creativity can thrive even when the odds are stacked against you. And they remind us that dance isn't just about perfect conditions—it's about showing up, no matter what. So the next time you're facing a setback in your studio, think about those dancers in Havana. Think about them clapping rhythms in the dark, refusing to give up. If they can keep going, so can you. ### The Future of Cuban Ballet No one knows exactly what the future holds for Cuba's ballet tradition. The shortages aren't going away anytime soon, and the daily struggles are real. But as long as there are dancers willing to push through, the art form will survive. And that's something worth celebrating—not just in Cuba, but everywhere people refuse to let their passion be dimmed by circumstance.