Ballet for every-body: a Pittsburgh company sees past stereotypes.

Maria Caruso refused to hang up her pointe shoes just because she didn't conform to the stick-thin classical ballet stereotype. Instead, she created a ballet company that defied ballet's body barriers.

The Pittsburgh-based Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, now in its seventh year, proves that ballerinas can come in many shapes and sizes. "So many dancers are working overtime to change their bodies," Caruso says. "It's like trying to stick an 8-track in a CD player."

Caruso works to create an environment where her dancers and students can feel confident about their bodies and not feel pressure to alter them to fit any sort of image. "It offers artists the amazing ability to grow," she points out. "My main goal is to push a dancer past their comfort zone. They get so caught up in their physical being, and when you do that you can't dance to your full potential."

At 5' 8", company member Kelly Basil says it was tempting to "dance very small" to fit in with ensembles until she came to Bodiography two years ago. Basil fought for her chance to dance, and this year she performed in her first pas de deux with company member Daniel Savage, in a piece composed by guest choreographer Anjali Austin.

Caruso's mission to develop a sound mind, body, and spirit includes the company's affiliated conservatory, Bodiography Center for Movement. Every summer, a nutritionist talks with the students about maintaining healthy bodies. The company members, who double as class instructors, teach by example. Lauren Eileen Suflita, assistant director of the conservatory and company member since 2002, says she remained confident in her body despite many rejection letters from ballet companies. Now she works to inspire the same confidence and respect in the next generation of dancers. "I always say, 'You paint with the colors you got,'" Suflita says. "Whatever you have, you make the best you can."

Caruso aims to bring classical ballet to a wider audience by switching up the traditional Tchaikovsky tunes for Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, and Incubus. "If you let someone young see the potential dance has visually, they can appreciate dance much more," she says. Bodiography's shows are well received by audiences in Pittsburgh and along the East Coast. Caruso estimates audiences grow 6 to 10 percent each season.

Caruso's goal is not for Bodiography to compete with other dance companies, but instead provide "a new and fresh take on ballet." Bodiography invites local musicians, dance companies, and choreographers to share the stage. "Because Pittsburgh has a small market," Caruso says, "I feel strongly that we should work collaboratively with the artists." Bodiography has performed with local choreographers, the Pittsburgh-based band Pete Killed Pete, and Zafira Dance Company, who do ethnic and belly dance.

Despite the struggles the arts face, Caruso sees a bright future for her company. "I think we're a positive role model for young people and old. I think we provide something that's different, something that's realistic."