How many times have you shared a dressing room
or studio space with a dancer who was a total train wreck? Every other dancer in the place just sort of
backs up and watches in horror as the crazy person -who, of course has shown up
late- digs frantically in a suitcase scattering it’s contents all over, yells loudly on a cell phone, or has a complete
meltdown.
We’ve all witnessed that, right?
Baby dancers can be excused (ok, once
or twice) because they haven’t learned the ropes yet and don’t have the
experience -or guidance to know exactly what’s up. But ironically, it’s all too
common that the disorganized, noisy and
entitled nutcase is a seasoned pro…and sometimes it’s even the featured artist!
There’s a big difference between
bumbling your way hit’n’miss through gigs
and being a true professional. Even
though most of us already know (and practice) the points I’m about to mention,
they’re worth re-visiting; they’ll help
you to have a long, healthy and prosperous career.
Here are ten habits of successful dancers:
Make Health A
Priority
This one seems like a total no-brainer, but
many of us blithely ignore it. It’s obvious that we can’t perform to the best
of our abilities by running on fumes. Many dancers (self included, by the way)
routinely function on insufficient sleep and “meals” that consist of a power
bar and a handful of nuts… or by pigging out during post-gig fast food parties.
And what about ignoring injuries, preferring to dance while in pain rather than
sitting a few shows out? Raise your hand if you’ve been there- we’ve all done it.
Needless to say, we’re only
given one body per lifetime. Taking care of yourself is vital if you want a
long, healthy career. So rest up, eat clean, take your vitamins, and see a
doctor when you need to, and know the world –or your career- won’t end if you
miss some time due to an injury.
Be Dependable
Be impeccable with your word. If you
confirmed a gig, you gotta be there…and you need to show up on time. If you’re
running late, call or text. If you know in advance can’t make a gig or if a
sudden emergency comes up, let the show producer or venue owner know
immediately. Suggest a substitute, and share their info or offer to contact the
sub yourself.
Manage Time
Wisely
There’s damn few dancers who have managers,
publicists and booking agents, so if you want a successful career, you’re going
to have to handle all of this stuff by your lonesome. That means that even if
you’d prefer being onstage or in the studio, someone’s gotta do the
administrative work…and that someone is
you. This includes everything from making lesson plans for your classes to
promoting your gigs, from updating your website to booking shows, travel and
studio time. There are only so many hours in a day, but it’s crucial to carve
out some time to take care of business, it’s necessary. Set aside an hour or
two a week just for administrative
work, and you’ll probably notice a huge difference in your career.
Be Organized
This actually relates to the previous point,
because good organizational skills will save you time! Keep a pre-packed dance bag to bring to
class, whether you’re taking or teaching- that way, you won’t be wasting twenty
minutes looking for your ballroom shoes, resistance band, or iPod.
Store your costumes with all the pieces and
accessories (jewelry, wigs, shoes) you need for that particular act.
Decide what supplies you need for any gig. Create a master checklist if you need to, and
refer to it as you pack.
Focus
Keep yourself on your toes physically by mentally envisioning what you want to
achieve. Be in the moment; no “phoning in” your dancing at rehearsals, and
certainly never onstage or at an audition.
Set Goals
Never stop striving for what you want. Set
your goals, and make a timeline for
what you’d like to achieve. Break down the steps you think it’ll take into
bite-sized, do-able chunks, finishing each task before starting on the next
one.
Stay Grounded
No matter how talented you are, nobody wants to work with a diva. Entitlement is an ugly trait in anyone, no
matter how famous or in demand they are. This old saying might sound a little
brutal and cutthroat but it’ll help you remember to stay humble. There’s always someone younger, prettier,
more talented, and easier to work with waiting to take your place.
Practice
Baby dancers are addicted to practice cause
it’s so new and fun. But once we get comfortable and established in our
careers, many of us tend ignore home practice, or reviewing the fundamentals by
drilling. World famous ballet dancers do
their barre exercises every day, and Olympic medalists train like crazy people,
also every day. No matter what level
you’re at, you are no different- your performances will grow by leaps and
bounds if you get back to basics.
Don’t Compare Yourself To Other Dancers
This is much easier said than done, because
it’s in our nature to compare and contrast.
It’s one thing to want to perfect
a move because you like the way another dancer does it. But all too often, comparison leads to us
beating ourselves up, because we perceive we’re lacking something that another
dancer has.
Once you realize that every dancer is
different and each has individual strong points to offer, it’ll be much easier
to stop comparing, and feel comfortable and happy in your own right.
Never Stop Learning
There’s always
something to learn. The more you broaden your horizons, the better dancer
you’ll become. Learning is a process; it can be active and intentional- as in
taking a class in a style you’ve never studied, or it can be passive, like
watching another dance’s performance on You Tube. If you’re receptive, you can learn things
that will improve your own dance technique even by studying unrelated
subjects. Even your beginner students
can teach you something relevant. Inspiration and “A-ha moments” can strike at
any time. Stay open and be curious.
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