Get Better at Speaking Up For Yourself in the Studio

When dancers are unhappy or uncomfortable in the studio, healthy communication is essential. Perhaps you feel slighted by a casting decision, dissatisfied with a new rehearsal schedule or uneasy about something a choreographer has asked you to do. What can you do? Here are three strategies to keep in mind. Choose Your Battles StockSnap According […]

What Does It Actually Feel Like to Stop Dancing?

Who are you when you no longer do what you’ve been doing for years? It is the big question facing anyone who retires. For top ballet dancers, however, the situation is more extreme. They start young, grow up in a rarified atmosphere, mostly see only each other, and become more and more removed from ordinary […]

The Unexpected Side Effects of Losing Your Dance Gig

Getting fired isn’t pretty, but it happens. And no matter the reason, there are ways to rebuild your dance career. But don’t be caught off guard by these potential repercussions from losing your job: Being the elephant in the room. Erik Tomasson You may need to show up to work for a period of time […]

Why Dancers' Skills Are More Valuable Than Ever

It’s not uncommon to hear dancers planning for their “second act”: what they will do after their performance career ends. Wrapped into this term is an assumption that the skills a dancer has developed are valueless in other work environments. But as the rest of the world panics to create a workforce that will withstand […]