Loretta "Ry" Ryan (Neve Campbell) is an aspiring ballerina performing with the renowned Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. As she struggles with the demands of being a dancer, she also begins a relationship with the handsome Josh (James Franco), who isn't involved in that insular world. The drama looks at the lives of others in the company, including the passionate artistic director, Alberto Antonelli (Malcolm McDowell), and features many actual Joffrey dancers.