# 24. body image in ballet, comparison in dance & musical theatre careers ft Morgan DiFonzo

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kicking-it-real-7560311/24-body-image-in-ballet-comparison-in-dance-musical-theatre-careers-ft-morgan-difonzo
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kicking-it-real-7560311/24-body-image-in-ballet-comparison-in-dance-musical-theatre-careers-ft-morgan-difonzo.md
Podcast: [Kicking It Real](https://stenobird.com/podcast/kicking-it-real-7560311)
Published: 2026-03-18T10:02:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kicking-it-real-podcast/episodes/24--body-image-in-ballet--comparison-in-dance--musical-theatre-careers-ft-Morgan-DiFonzo-e3gbtqq
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/10ad936d0/podcast/play/116831514/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-2-16%2F420161104-44100-2-9b42ec912f402.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/kicking-it-real-7560311/episodes/24-body-image-in-ballet-comparison-in-dance-musical-theatre-careers-ft-morgan-difonzo
Duration seconds: 4563

## Resource

In this episode of Kicking It Real, I’m sitting down with performer, choreographer, and educator Morgan DiFonzo. Morgan has performed in productions like Frozen, The Music Man, and Matilda, and now works as a freelance performer while also teaching and choreographing in Chicago. We start by going all the way back to Morgan’s training and what it was like growing up in a very ballet-focused studio environment. We talk about the discipline ballet gives dancers, but also the darker side of that culture including comparison, body image struggles, and the pressure many dancers feel to fit a certain mold. Morgan shares the moment she decided she was done “living in the shadow” in class and how that mindset shift changed the way she approached dance. We also talk about navigating the industry as adults; from building a reputation in the dance and musical theatre world to learning how to advocate for yourself professionally while still maintaining relationships. This conversation is honest, vulnerable, and a really important reminder that talent doesn’t come in just one shape or size. Stay in the loop with me 👇🏼🤍 Instagram: @kickingitrealpod @potentiallygabby TikTok: @potentiallygabby Episode requests: kickingitrealpod@gmail.com Find Morgan here👇🏼 IG: @morgandifonzo

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