Should dancers still continue to train whist in work?
I believe to maintain employment in the performing industry you have to work hard, stay focused and never become complacent. You have to sustain an appropriate build, good physical stamina, and good health as the competition can be very tough. If you are in employment I believe classes are very beneficial, especially in weaker areas, for me personally I would attend singing lessons as I need to improve here. I spent some time researching and talking to friends in the business, about their opinions in this inquiry. I was very surprised by one person’s reaction as he believes that when you are in employment you should enjoy it, socialise and basically take it as a performing period and not a learning one. I however feel differently as I believe there is always knowledge to be learnt, inspiration to be given and things to be created. Whenever I am in a production for a period of time my body almost gets use to the new movements due to working the same muscle groups. This can be dangerous as when you attempt a different type of movement injuries can occur, as your body doesn’t recognise the strain. I understand classes are expensive and it almost feels like the learning process is never ending, however the performing industry is forever developing, changing trends and performers are always trying improving. Practice and dedication is foremost in my mind and this so far has enabled me to remain in employment.
I find quotes to be very inspirational and the following two quotes are very encouraging-
The most essential thing in dance discipline is devotion, the steadfast and willing devotion to the labour that makes the class work not a gymnastic hour and a half, or at the lowest level, a daily drudgery, but a devotion that allows the classroom discipline to become moments of dancing too... *Merce Cunningham*
Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired. *Martha Graham*
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