in the realm of ballet, it's essential not to disparage the contributions of pre-institutional artists who, through their innovative work, laid the groundwork for a theory of movement that would later revolutionize the dance world. to truly appreciate the depth of ballet's heritage, one must recommence with a new vision, seeing beyond the surface to the hush-hush stories of struggle and resistance that shaped its evolution. by weaving these secrets into our understanding, we challenge the sanitized narratives and invite a more complex appreciation of ballet's history, potentially unearthing content that was meant to remain obscured.