what I look for in dancers
Every teacher looks for something different. Just like all art, dance is a matter of opinion — that's what makes it so complicated. You may be too short, too tall, too powerful, too soft, too blonde, too brunette — the list goes on and on — but to be chosen for a role or job is ultimately dependent on the director or teacher. The one thing you can control is how much you apply yourself in class.
The thing is, unlike any other art form, you're constantly judged on everything — I mean everything. The quality of your movement, technique, performance, your "look" and "image", flexibility and strength, body proportions and more. This might sound somewhat discriminating or discouraging, but the reality of it is that the dance industry is incredibly difficult but also very rewarding.
Dance has a certain aesthetic that has to be achieved, but that aesthetic depends on the choreographer. I think there are three things that must be present in order to command attention in the best way: consistency, clarity and confidence.
Why are these C's important? Because they are the ultimate secret ingredient to progressing, potentially getting the roles you want and being the best dancer you can be and here is why.
Say hello to my motto: Consistency is key. Yes, my students can back me up on that. I know a lot of beautiful dancers who can hit a triple pirouette one day, but the next day landing a clean single seems impossible. Yeah, we all have "off" days and I am not saying everyday you have to be "perfect" but I am saying that consistency leads to loyalty and trust — which is what choreographers and directors want in order to know that you can deliver your best performance every night. Building the habit of consistency starts in the studio during class. Landing a triple pirouette every class or gaining strength and height in your extension means you have to do it every time, not just when you feel like it. Once building that habit, the technique and steps become second nature, so when the nerves or emotions set in, you can rely on your technique to carry you through.
There are a million things that go into making one pirouette successful, and any of my fellow peers, co-workers and students can tell you that. Learning and perfecting sometimes can look like muddy water — yep, I said it. When I am watching someone dance whether that is onstage or in the studio, I look for clarity. I want to be able to see the steps clearly without any extra "junk" intertwined with the basic technique. This not only creates a "clean" look that allows the dancer to hit their lines, jumps and turns with exactness, but also makes room for artistry because the foundation is so strong and clear.
Confidence is the hardest to achieve. It's not about the physicality of a step, it's about your mentality. The mental fight is arguably harder to conquer than mastering the steps. Understand there is always room for improvement and humility must be present, but show up to class, rehearsal or a performance with assertiveness, assurance and belief in yourself that you can do this. This mindset will take you from role to role and level to level, while ignoring all of the negativity that is a constant in the dance world. Being confident in what you do is going to give you the freedom to perform with joy, which allows you to engage with your audience. Connection with the audience is undoubtedly the hardest but most important because it's makes people want to actually support the dancers, the company and the arts as a whole.
(Side note: why is it important to connect with the audience? Because they are giving us a gift by providing us to do what we love to do every day and that is buying tickets, attending shows, and giving us their attention. The best thing we can do is connect and perform whole-hearedtly with clarity, consistency and confidence.)
These three C's start at a young age, which is why I hold my class standards and the integrity of ballet so boldly because we all are striving for something. Our goals may be different, but starting to implement these into your life, not only inside the studio but also outside, will create more opportunities with positive outcomes.
What will make you stand out from all of the other dancers who are just as hardworking and passionate as you?
