Think Long Term!

Most dancers enter the world of dance with a looming reality that some day it’ll all be over: no more standing at the barre perfecting plie, no more gracing a stage somewhere in the world with a new performance, no more sitting in the dressing room gluing those eye lashes. We believe that we only have a short little window to DANCE. As a result we carry around this deep fear and anxiety. Though it is rarely exposed it is definitely present.

Today’s note is THINK LONG TERM. After I got married I thought my dancing was over. Once the herniated disc was found I really thought I was done. Two knee surgeries should surely do the trick. Then after my first child I thought it would be over. My second child came along and while I was pregnant was asked to do the most exciting project of my dance career. After 22 years of professional dancing I realize, finally, that I’ll always be an artist.

If you think long term now you will enjoy the project you are currently working on and look forward to the many other projects that have “your name” on it later in life.

Think Long Term!

Take Time to Smell the Roses!

Are you a dancer who has tunnel vision? Your ENTIRE existence swirls around your dancing. Wake up-get to class-stretch-eat-take another class-go to an audition-stretch-eat-rehearse-sleep-start all over the next day?

Today's note is TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES. Your busy dance schedule is hugely important, however, if you are not careful you will miss aspects of life that are meant to enrich your human experience. For example: on your way to the audition have you ever noticed the wild flowers lined along Park Avenue? Or, have you looked up long enough to actually see the sun? Did you take time to call a friend who needs a pick me up?

If you don’t take time to smell the roses you may find yourself alone and lonely. Life is full of great and wonderful moments. And, it only takes a moment to pause and drink it in. You may find that you dance more refreshed as you allow your mind and body to shift focus for a quick sniff of the rose petals.

Take Time to Smell the Roses!

Don’t Blame the Leotard!

In all of my years of sitting behind the table watching hopefuls audition to become a Radio City Rockette I have never heard of anyone getting cut because of the wrong leotard. And yet, I have heard dancers muse about why they did not get a job due to wearing the wrong thing to the audition.

Today's note is DON’T BLAME THE LEOTARD. As long as you present yourself professionally you are free to wear whatever you like. Your singing and dancing should far exceed the color or style of your leo. The real name of the game is “do you got game?” Can you dance? Are you well trained? Are you right for the job? Your hair/make-up/attire choices are all secondary to your skill and ability to perform.

If you don’t blame the leotard chances are you will begin to focus on the other issues surrounding your auditioning skills. Plus, it sounds silly to say “I should have worn red instead of blue”. You can simply say “I wasn’t what they were looking for.”…..and move on.

Don’t Blame the Leotard!

Learn the Art of Asking Questions!

Questions usually go like this, “Where do you want the arms on that step?” or “What’s right before the swoop step?” or “How are you counting the last phrase?”

Today’s note is LEARN THE ART OF ASKING QUESTIONS. Within a class or rehearsal session the one thing that can quickly become a “danger zone” are questions. Dancers are working to absorb the material and the choreographer is working to get the movement from their brain and body onto the dancers.

Guidelines for questions:
• Never ask a question to get attention
• Never challenge the director or choreographer with your question
• Always wait until all of the material has been taught to ask a question
• Wait for the choreographer/teacher to open the floor for questions
• Avoid asking questions that have already been answered
• In general-limit your questions!


If you LEARN THE ART OF ASKING QUESTIONS you will dance more and talk less. Choreographers and teachers will be at ease in your presence knowing that you are there to dance.

Learn the Art of Asking Questions!

Learn Money Saving Tips!

Dancing is my bag and my bag is full of tricks. Talk to any dancer on the street and they will surely tell you how they saved a buck that day. Instead of taking cabs-they walked! Instead of buying a backstage-they browsed auditions online for free. Dancers know the ins and outs of how to save money.

Today's note is LEARN MONEY SAVING TIPS. When I first moved to NYC I decided to work at a restaurant on the side because they offered me a warm meal “on the house”. I also became a scholarship student at STEPS where I exchanged work for classes. Dancers must learn to save money so there is a margin of cash flow when one contract ends and another one begins. Jobs DO NOT fit back to back. You may go a few months to a year before that next paycheck.

If you learn to money saving tips you will find that your money extends beyond what it should. And, you will create a healthy diet of “need” verses “want”.

Learn Money Saving Tips!

Sing!

Gone are the days in New York City where dancers dance and singers sing and the great white way carries on. NO! Dancers sing and Singers dance and THAT’S THAT!

Today's note is SING! I get asked this question all of the time. “How important is it that I sing?” One thing to keep in mind is how much talent is out there. And, how few jobs there really are for dancers. If a director or producer can cast someone who can cover lead singing roles along with dancing in the ensemble-THEY WILL. This pushes the “dancers only” crowd to the bottom of the barrel.

If you SING you are making casting directors very happy. They want you to do well and they want you to be comfortable with your voice. For every 5 dance classes there should be at least 1 voice lesson. Dancers should be singing at least 3 days a week even if it’s only their warm ups. Be ready in season and out of season.

SING!

Know Your Type!

The possibility of a 5’1” dancer becoming a Rockette or a 5’10” dancer getting hired for the New York City ballet is CRAZY! As tempting as it is to run to those auditions where you know there are already strikes against you-just remember that a job may not be at the end of that day’s work.

Today's note is KNOW YOUR TYPE! If you are entering the professional world of dance you must realize there are rules to the game. The faster you learn them-the better off you will be. Every time I audition for Stroman she says, “Cheryl, you’re 5’7”, right?” Of course, my resume says 5’8” and she snags me every time. Truth be told-I am 5’71/2”. I do round it up since I audition in 3 inch heels. Blah blah…anyway! Bottom line is Ms. Susan Stroman loves TALL women. That 1 inch is “make it” or “break it” in her book. Dancers-this is just life on the job. Don’t take it personally.

If you KNOW YOUR TYPE you will save yourself a ton of time and energy by discerning which jobs are right for you. Focus your attention on jobs that are attainable. If you are not sure about your type it is important for you to ask someone who is in the casting business.

KNOW YOUR TYPE!

Always Tell the Truth!

One of my most embarrassing moments came during my first year as a Rockette. We had 9:00am shows on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Come on dancers….9:00am is usually DEAD TO THE WORLD TIME. The coffee is not even brewing yet but I was supposed to be kicking my heels up for 6000 people down at The Music Hall.

Today's note is ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH! I get a call from my stage manager letting me know I’m 5 minutes late to work. Rather than telling him I was on my way I confessed that my alarm had not even gone off and that I was still in the bed in my pj’s. How I wished that I had a better answer? The truth is always the best policy. Your story never has to change and you can live with the knowledge that mistakes happen.

If you make a habit of ALWAYS TELLING THE TRUTH directors will pick up on your honesty and realize they can trust you with even bigger tasks, roles, and projects. One lie has the potential to take you down a road of no return.

ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH!

Use Common Sense!

I have a great friend who termed the phrase PCS which stands for Professional Common Sense. When the Rockettes would ask questions like “what happens if the elevator breaks on the sit down drill?” She would say PCS gals-Use your professional common sense. In this case it probably meant something simple like SAFETY FIRST.

Today's note is USE COMMON SENSE! When you are on stage there are a number of unknown variables that can take place. And, it’s not always easy to navigate the right choice at a moment’s notice. I remember once during a show that a Rockette did not make it out during the Ragdoll number. We were not going to be able to spell MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR with our blocks unless we had all 36 Rockettes. A very smart swing jumped into costume and grabbed her box at the end of the number so that we could spell correctly. There wasn’t time for the choreographer or director to make that call but she used her common sense for the good of the show.

If you make a habit of using common sense you will show those around you that you have a mind of your own and are willing to make choices based on your larger body of knowledge. Directors and choreographers are happy to find out that not only can you dance but that you THINK!

USE COMMON SENSE!

Pack All Of Your Dance Shoes!

Have you ever gotten to an audition for a tap show and failed to throw in the ballet shoes? Out of nowhere you are learning a ballet combo rather than tap and you are shoe-less! Yikes!


Today's note is PACK ALL OF YOUR DANCE SHOES! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gone out for the day and only packed 2 out of 5 pair of my dance shoes. Here I am scrambling to borrow a friends pair because I ONLY have this or that. You are frustrated and your friend is willing but not happy that you are in the other room with their shoes. What if they break on your battement? How will you explain to your friend that they now need to borrow a pair of shoes?

If you create a consistent habit of PACKING ALL OF YOUR DANCE SHOES you can go through each crazy dance day knowing that no matter what you are asked to do-you are ready to go.

PACK ALL OF YOUR DANCE SHOES!

Be Alert!

Have you ever found your mind drifting in class or rehearsal? After about three hours of dancing you begin to fade and your mind begins to wonder off into all directions? The excitement of beginning the rehearsal has worn off and now you are into the tedius process of fine tuning the movement. The details can be overwhelming and all of a sudden-YOU ARE IN LA LA LAND!

Today's note is BE ALERT! Choreographers know when they have your attention. They also know when the “sort of” have your attention. And, they know when they’ve lost you completely. Usually at that point it’s time to pack up the dance bag. Being alert is a lesson of the will. Make up your mind to keep a pleasant smile and focus at all times. When you do get a break-settle down and rest rather than running the entire time or chatting with your buds. If your breaks are only 10 minutes then try to lay down for 5 of those minutes.

If you make a habit of being alert you won’t miss important notes given within a rehearsal process, you will keep your directors attention by exchanging a level of respect for the process and you will find that focus is not even an issue over time. Your will to stay alert takes over.

BE ALERT!

Take Care of Your Body!

Your body is your lifeblood. When it works-You work! When it is injured-You are waiting tables. How many of us find it such a burden to constantly be thinking about what we can and cannot do based on what our body needs to produce through dance? I wish I had better news dancers.

Today's note is TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY! This is the one area which can often be a two edged sword. We may look great on the outside but on the inside we are falling apart. Or, we begin eating more and all of a sudden our thighs are clanging in plies. What is the answer?

I think the answer can be wrapped up in three areas:
1) Know your own body. Rather than taking on someone else’s regimen-discover what produces energy and good health in you.
2) Relax! The body is ever-changing. Good dancers dwell in vessels that shift. Rely on your training to make room for the ebb and flow of life.
3) Maintain the work-It’s likely that if you stay in regular challenging dance classes you will not suffer a great loss in the “dancer body” you envision in yourself.

If you make a habit of taking care of your body it becomes easier as time goes on. Learning to respect your craft includes the respect and care of your instrument.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY!

Resist the urge to complain!

The easiest thing in the world to do is COMPLAIN. How many times have you been in a rehearsal for a piece and everything is going wrong? Dancers are frustrated; the choreographer is at a stand still, time is running out. As soon as the 5 minute break is called it’s like a “letting out of the bulls”. The dressing room air fills with petty complaints-all of which seem to be totally justified.

Today's note is RESIST THE URGE TO COMPLAIN! Imagine what it would be like to spend your breaks catching up on phone calls, resting, or grabbing a snack rather than getting caught up in the obvious complications of a given day in rehearsal? Spending that down time productively will serve you well. Let those in charge work out the kinks and you do your part as a dancer-DANCE!

If you make a habit of resisting the urge to complain you will find yourself focusing on the work at hand and accomplishing the original goal of each job given. And, you are more likely to be hired on a more continual basis since you are a hard worker and maintain a positive and supportive attitude.

RESIST THE URGE TO COMPLAIN!

Turn Off Your Cell Phone

Dancers today live by their cell phones. It rings-YOU HAVE A JOB! And, if you don’t answer the phone you know that a producer may skip to the next number on the list. The dance world is so fast moving that our cell phones act as an agent to either put bread on the table or go hungry at night. WE MUST ANSWER OUR PHONES.

Today's note is TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE! There is nothing a director or choreographer hates more than someone’s phone ringing that happy tune just as they have are getting into the zone of a rehearsal or class. As soon as the ringer explodes there is an awkward silence in rehearsal. No one wants to admit that THEIR PHONE IS RINGING. Plan ahead-make necessary calls before you go into class and return calls as soon as possible after each session.

If you make a habit of turning off your phone as you walk into rehearsal you will never experience that looming feeling that at any moment your phone will STOP REHEARSAL.

TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE!

Be Early!

We dancers admit to being late for most things. There is a perfectionist pesty friend inside of us who likes to tag along most days. This causes us to spend too much time on tasks that need to be completed faster. Thus, we are late. Late for class, late for rehearsal, even late leaving the dressing room at the end of the night.

Today's note is BE EARLY! Give yourself enough time each day to show up for dance at least 15 minutes before you need to be there. That gives you 5 minutes to get settled, adjust your dancewear, go to the restroom-5 minutes to roll down and give yourself a body check to see "where you are" and 5 minutes to JUST BE EARLY.

If you create a consistent habit of being early you will always feel that much more prepared and your friends and colleagues will gain respect for you when they see that you are always there when they walk in the door.

BE EARLY!