Center Stage (2000 film)

Center Stage is a 2000 teen drama film about a group of young, passionate dancers from different backgrounds who enroll at the prestigious (but fictitious) American Ballet Academy in New York City. The movie follows their struggles as they face the immense physical and mental pressures of professional dance and compete for a coveted spot in a top ballet company. Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Written by Carol Heikkinen. Life doesn't hold tryouts. Jody Sawyer Cooper, you're an amazing dancer, and you're a great choreographer, but as a boyfriend you kind of suck. [Jonathan waves to sit down] Wait. All my life I've wanted to be one of ABA's perfect ballerinas. I wanted to be you, Juliette. But I'm not you, and I'm not perfect, I'm just me, bad feet and all, and I'm starting to think that I like that just as much. [Jonathan begins to speak] No, because if you're not going to offer me a place in the company I don't want to hear it. And if you are, I might not have the strength to say no, and then I would be spending my best dancing years in the back of a corps waving a rose back and forth, and I'm better than that. So thank you, Jonathan, for turning me into the best dancer I can be, I appreciate it more than I can say, really. Because the best dancer I can be is a principal in Cooper Neilson's new company. [walks off] Eva Rodriguez [Sergei drops Maureen] Careful with that one. You break it, you bought it! I screwed up any chance I had back in September. But I started dancing long before this stupid workshop, and I'm gonna keep on dancing long after it. So tomorrow is one more day I get to dance. What, did you go to a special bitch academy or something? Maureen Cummings I am the best goddamn dancer in the American Ballet Academy. Who the hell are you? Nobody. Other Erik Jones: I do ballet because it has nothing to do with the people. Give me tiaras and boys in tights any day. Dialogue Erik Jones: My stage name is Erik O. Jones, after Oprah. She's my idol. Eva Rodriguez: Eva Rodriquez, after no one. Erik Jones: Oh, an individual. I like it. Jody Sawyer: I'm Jodi Sawyer. Erik Jones: Where are you going? Eva Rodriguez: We're going out for a smoke. Wanna come? Erik Jones: Oh, come downstairs. It's Marlboro country. Jody Sawyer: She's so good. Eva Rodriguez: Yeah, just ask her. Eva Rodriguez: Truth? In terms of technique, you are behind. But the people here know what they're looking for. And on the day of your audition, they saw it in you. Jody Sawyer: And now all they see is the wrong body type. Maureen Cummings: I've got priorities. I mean, you only get to be a dancer for ten years. Maybe fifteen if you don't get injured. So for the next decade at least. Jim Gordon: Hey, all I'm asking for is a date. Jim Gordon: You haven't seen my girlfriend, have you? Tall, thin, legs for days? Eva Rodriguez: Yeah. I pushed her overboard. Eva Rodriguez: What a prick. Jody Sawyer: But he was really nice about it. Eva Rodriguez: Being nice when you say something pricky is even prickier. Kathleen Donahue: [about Jody obviously adoring Cooper big-time] You are in big trouble. Cooper Nielson: She's in my ballet. Kathleen Donahue: Oh, please. She's a heartbeat away from tattooing your name on her ass. Maureen Cummings: Erik got injured today. And do you know the first thing I thought when I saw him go down? Jim Gordon: What? Maureen Cummings: "I wish that was me." So that made me think, you know, 'cause that's not a normal reaction. How much of what you liked about me was because I was a ballet dancer, and how much because I was me? Sergei: [In pas de deux class] I am your slave. Eva Rodriguez: I'd believe it more if you weren't staring at your fucking reflection when you said it. Instructor: If someone wants to hear profanity, Miss Rodriguez, they can take the subway. They don't need to spend sixty dollars on a ballet ticket. [to Sergei] Though she has a point. Jody Sawyer: That class, I mean, how come I can't dance like that in my ABA class? Cooper Nielson: Because ABA has a great big stick up its ass? Charlie Sims: Are you asking me out? Jody Sawyer: Well, yeah. Are you saying yes? Charlie Sims: I guess so. Yeah. Maureen Cummings: If this is what I wanted, I wouldn't be as unhappy as I've been. I'd have friends, I'd sleep well, I wouldn't throw up half the things that I eat. Nancy Cummings: You watch your weight. There's nothing wrong with that! Maureen Cummings: Mom, I'm telling you I'm unhappy and sick. I can't do this anymore! Nancy Cummings: But it's your dream. You just don't give up on your dream. Maureen Cummings: It's your dream, and it matters more to you than anything ever did to me. So I did it, but I can't any more. Nancy Cummings: I know what regret feels like, and I don't want that for you. Maureen Cummings: That's what ballet would be. A life of wishing that I found something I loved, instead of something I just happened to do well. I'm not you, Mom. You didn't have the feet. I don't have the heart. Jody Sawyer: Mom. Oh, I'm so happy you guys are here. Mr. Sawyer: We wanted to see what you've been up to this past year. And I've gotta tell you, that was the most fantastic thing I've ever seen. Mrs. Sawyer: It was great, honey. And just just wonderful. Jody Sawyer: You wanna know something stupid? I'd actually started to believe I didn't need to hear that anymore. Cast Amanda Schull - Jody Sawyer Zoe Saldana - Eva Rodríguez Susan May Pratt - Maureen Cummings Peter Gallagher - Jonathan Reeves Debra Monk - Nancy Cummings Ethan Stiefel - Cooper Nielson Sascha Radetsky - Charles "Charlie" Sims Donna Murphy - Juliette Simone Julie Kent - Kathleen Donahue Ilia Kulik - Sergei Eion Bailey - James "Jim" Gordon Shakiem Evans as Erik "O. Jones" Jones Elizabeth Hubbard - Joan Miller External links 0210616 Category:2000 American films Category:2000 English-language films Category:American dance films Category:American musical drama films Category:Romantic drama films Category:American teen drama films Category:Films about ballet Category:Films set in New York City Category:Films directed by Nicholas Hytner