Last week I had quite a very inspiring and informative lunch/time/talk with ten dance majors. The conversation turned to the highs of performing and the somewhat inevitable drop in energy that can come afterwards. Even as we freely give our blood, sweat and tears to the process of training to achieve excellence as dance artists, in doing so sometimes run the risk of draining that cup of passion that is at the source of how we enter the studio day after day after day. We discussed how difficult it can be to manage and maintain our energy and drive when everything we do is meant to happen "full out" or at "performance level." We spoke about finding a way to celebrate together our successes in performance while simultaneously creating space for rest and recuperation. We considered how helpful it might be to both acknowledge the richness of our successes while taking actions that help us revitalize our commitment to taking a fresh start down the road to achieving our potential.
Though there were many reports of exhaustion and disrepair, there were also some exciting ideas put forward that I hope to integrate into future post main-stage performance weeks. However, since that conversation, I've had more one-on-one meetings with students who seem to be at the breaking point both in their health and their sense of direction in their dancing. As a professional, I know first-hand the nature of these times and feel a huge amount of compassion for what those students are going through.
So what can you do in times like these? How do we re-establish our connection to the passion we know is in our hearts when our bodies feel like they are breaking beneath the immensity of our training, rehearsal and academic commitments? It seems to me that there are a few deceptively simple steps we can take to find some peace and a refreshed appreciation for the gift of spending our lives in this wild and wonderful art form...
CHOOSE
In each moment, we have the opportunity to come inside of ourselves and make the choice of what we are going to focus on in our experience. We have to learn to proactively shift our own energies; to resituate the context for our work so that we see the benefit and richness in it, more than the lack. We need to choose to put our attention on the positive aspects of our experiences rather than getting bogged down by negativity. This, like so many things, is easier said than done. But a little goes a long way in the world of creating positive energy.
STAND
Sometimes we need to proactively stand up for ourselves. We stand up by making sure we eat good food, or get to bed a little earlier, or take a few minutes of down time during the day. I know - next to impossible but even a little more attention to your needs can trigger positive feelings about everything else happening in your life. And if you're at the breaking point in class, take a "stand" and back off a bit. Work for accuracy, clarity, simplicity, efficiency and musicality and take a break from the "bigger/faster/higher is better" attitude we often bring to our training. On the rough days you might even tell a teacher before class, "You might notice that my energy might be a bit down today but I'm here and will do my best to work through it!"
REACH
Sometimes reaching out to support another person in their process can be the most direct way to help us reflect on the rewards of our lives as dancers. If you see someone having a hard time in class, give them a compliment or offer assistance. As we all know, there's nothing like a quick shoulder massage to brighten the spirits of a weary dancer!
RECEIVE
Dance is a collaborative art form. The art is made by sharing our lives together; by moving through the trials and trivialities of our shared journey. So when a friend offers that shoulder massage or a teacher asks, "You seem a bit down - are you ok?" let yourself receive that support. Let down your guard and bring those who love you close so that they can help you process your feelings and shift into a more constructive mode.
Wow - that was a mouthful! Of course none of this is easy and it's even harder when the larger community is going through a similar time. Which, ironically, brings me to my final word on the subject...
LEAD
Be the person that lifts up the group, that serves as a model for others. Lead by your actions, your presence, through your energy and your spirit. Don't wait for someone else, or for the group, or the guest artist, or the break. Take it upon yourself to find that space in your heart that wants to rise and open and share all that you have to offer with the world. When more and more of us do this, we can create a powerful space for learning, for artistic risk-taking, and for shared support even as we move along the sometimes difficult path we have chosen in this life. Each and every one of you have this capacity within you. It is up to you to make the choice to bring it out into the world.
As always, I look forward to sharing this process with you...
And now, on with the rest of the blog!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congrats to all the beautiful dancers who participated in the Senior
Choreography Auditions this past weekend! So much focus, professionalism, and
talent was demonstrated in 114, even around our less than friendly poles-way to
conquer those poles and blow the choreographers away everyone! Can’t wait to
see this amazing show in November!
Go ahead and get your Comp Tickets for A Street Car Named Desire, which opens this Thursday, the 3rd
of October! Keep the love going in the School of Theatre and Dance by
supporting all of its members.
ECDA Announcements
There will be an ECDA member meeting held Thursday (October 2nd)
at 5!! Meet in the hallway outside 114! See you there!
UPCOMING EVENTS
SENIOR SOLOS!!
On Thursday, 10/2, we will have a free informal performance of our Fall 2014 Senior Choreography Solos! Come watch all eight of this semester's senior choreographers perform works made to showcase the skills and artistry they have been developing throughout their time in the program. It is also a time to honor and thank them for their contributions to the program and to you, their fellow students, so please come to the show! Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so please arrive promptly at 3:20pm to get your seats. Hope to see you there!!!
KORESH!
Start getting ready for our second residency this year; Koresh! This
phenomenal Philadelphia-based company will be coming October 8th!!
This means another audition and opportunity to dance with incredibly talented and skilled dance
artists. Auditions will be October 8th
from 5-630 in the Studio Theatre. Be on the lookout for more details regarding
the audition and residency activities in an upcoming blog!
Upcoming Regional Auditions
Disney Character Auditions- Sunday October 5th at 10:30am in
Charlotte, North Carolina
CONGRATS!!!
To the many gorgeous dancers cast in the fall Senior Choreographers show - congratulations!
: )
Danie Johnson
Senior Dance Performance Major
ECDA Secretary
And...
John Dixon
Dance Area Coordinator
