(Joanne Woodward) | Two Photographs of Joanne Practicing Ballet

Of Woodward's sincere appreciation of the ballet, Stephanie Newman, Newman's youngest daughter from his first marriage, said:

It’s funny how my parents’ passions were virtually diametrically opposed. My Father loved racing and my Stepmom has always loved ballet. She was an avid student for a long time, both in LA and in Westport. She’d leave the house for class wearing her leotard and tights, her ballet slippers in her tote bag. It was a family tradition to attend the Nutcracker Suite every year.

The photograph of Joanne in the dance studio always reminds me of those days. My favourite memory is from when I was a little girl. Joanne brought me to see Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn perform Swan Lake. At the finale, I think she was the first person to jump up and shout “Bravo!” before the rest of the audience even made it out of their seats.