When I’m Her
Michael was a ballet prodigy with his career ahead of him, but when life doesn’t go as planned, he finds refuge from trauma and liberation as his alter ego, Russian ballet instructor, Madame Olga.
Michael Cusumano was a luminary figure at American Ballet Theatre in New York, and had a stellar career ahead of him. But trauma from his past prevented him from fully realizing his artistic and professional potential. Over time, he finds refuge and liberation by assuming an alter ego: a sparkly turban-wearing, Russian ballet instructor named Madame Olga. By slipping into this ostentatious character, Michael discovers a way to both embrace himself as an artist and reconcile his past. Michael and Olga challenge the unspoken rule of dance: to be a disciplined dancer is to be an obedient dancer. Olga challenges authority, taking on a life of her own and generating a following for her unconventional ballet classes. Through Olga, Michael is able to give aspiring dancers a place to flourish, and can be the mentor he never had for himself. When I'm Her follows the double life of a dancer as he inhabits his alter ego, and observes Michael and Olga in their most vulnerable moments.