Fairchild's Farewell
Fairchild's Farewell
A documentary feature film by Jasper Soloff
Logline
In her final season as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, Megan Fairchild reflects on two decades at the pinnacle of her craft in this intimate, visually striking documentary, exploring the discipline, transformation, and lasting impact of a life in dance.
This documentary on Megan Fairchild celebrates the extraordinary final year of her two-decade career as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet.As she prepares to retire at 41, the film offers an intimate and cinematic portrait of an artist at the height of her craft, closing one chapter while reflecting on everything that led her here. Filmed over the course of her final rehearsal and performance season, beginning February 2026, the documentary captures Megan in the studio, on stage, and at home — revealing both the visible and invisible labor that has defined her life in ballet. From the daily rituals of pointe shoe preparation and costume fittings to physical therapy appointments and moments of stillness at home with her family, viewers are invited behind the curtain into a world few get to see.
Synopsis
The film weaves choreographed, fashion-inflected visuals with diaristic footage captured by Megan herself, blending elegance with intimacy. Stylized dance sequences—set against the New York skyline and striking interiors—offer moments of visual poetry, while handheld glimpses into backstage rituals, quiet mornings, and emotional reflections add a raw, personal layer. Observational scenes like costume fittings, pointe shoe prep, and physical therapy ground the story in daily discipline. The result is a cinematic yet intimate portrait of a dancer living her final season.
The result is a cinematic yet intimate portrait of a dancer living her final season.
Through archival footage, home videos, and past performance recordings, the story flashes back to key moments from Megan’s life: moving to New York at 16, rising through the ranks of the company, becoming a mother, earning her MBA, and writing a book. As we trace her path, we also examine how ballet itself has evolved — in movement, casting, culture, and expectations — across the two decades she’s spent on stage. This layered approach allows the audience to experience the arc of her career in parallel with her present-day journey.
We will follow Megan as she rehearses and performs ballets including Donizetti Variations, Square Dance, Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3, Zakouski, and Voices, works that echo the range and evolution of her artistry.
The film culminates in her final performance, moments just before she takes the stage one last time, offering a poignant reflection on identity, legacy, and letting go.
This documentary is both a personal farewell and a broader meditation on the life of a dancer — what it demands, what it gives, and what remains after the curtain falls.
VISUAL STYLE & TONE
The film contrasts polished, high-art visuals with intimate, candid moments, creating a layered and nuanced portrait of Megan Fairchild’s final season. Sweeping, fashion-infused cinematography captures the grace and precision of ballet through elegant compositions, natural light, and iconic New York City backdrops such as rooftop dance sequences and rehearsal studios. This is balanced by diaristic handheld footage filmed by Megan herself, offering immediate, unfiltered glimpses into her personal world behind the scenes. These candid moments invite the audience in with warmth and immediacy.Close-up details—from pointe shoe customization to physical therapy sessions—are presented with authenticity and texture, grounding the film in the tangible realities of a dancer’s life. The editing mirrors the rhythm of Megan’s journey, moving fluidly between intense rehearsal and performance scenes and reflective, intimate moments. Together, these elements create a visually striking and emotionally compelling film that honors the discipline and beauty of a dancer’s final chapter.
Director’s Statement
Movement is the foundation of my visual storytelling. Trained in ballet at Ellison Ballet and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy, I learned early that the body is an expressive instrument capable of conveying deep emotion without words. This understanding shapes how I create films and images—seeing each project as a dance between subject and camera where movement generates energy and meaning.Movement is such a big part of photography. It’s about direction and expression through the body, capturing not just grace but the inner life of the subject. This insight drives me to work closely with my subjects and choreographers to unlock moments of true self-expression and presence. The best collaborators know how to inhabit their bodies and create iconic images through motion, and I work closely with them to unlock authentic moments of presence and self-expression.For me, this film is deeply personal. Being raised in New York City, I grew up going to The Ballet and have always been truly inspired by the dancers and the legacies they leave behind. This project feels like a unique way to honor Megan Fairchild and the iconic artistry she has contributed to the company.