SIG- Jack of all trades...Master of none.

I have started a discussion on Facebook which I feel will spark of all different opinions and a good one to breakdown. It is called "Jack of all trades...master of none." Please comment and tell me your thoughts.

Should you master one style of dance or be skilled in all?

This question is one I ask myself all the time. I have trained in all styles of dance, ranging from ballet to hip-hop however I am not an expert at one. I now find myself having to attend lots of different classes to keep excelling in all areas of dance which can be stressful. My CV looks very impressive and I am able to offer a wide range of dance styles so I am versatile; however I am never going to have the main part in Swan Lake! You have a greater chance of being in employment if you are an all-rounded performer as there are more opportunities available, so for me I believe this is the best option. For some performers they are amazing talented at one style so they are successful anyway.

I have experienced that on a performance basis I find it very easy to adapt my mood and expressions as I have practised vast amounts of different chorography and styles. This again enhances my probability of employment and also makes me a better dancer.

Fortune favors the bold. “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” (Tony Robbins) Do it, do it, freals, because a versatile dancer is a good dancer."

http://themaykazine.com/2009/04/22/a-versatile-dancer-is-a-good-dancer/

Is Criticism to powerful in the performing industry?

The performing industry is a very harsh, critical business and I believe you need a strong character to achieve recognition.  With reality TV shows (X factor, Dancing on Ice and Strictly Come Dancing) being a big part of the performing industry we experience and watch the contestants being criticized in an extremely insensitive manner on a weekly basis and this sometimes causes public outcry.

At college I constantly received corrections and sometimes not in a polite approach, however I believe this has make me stronger contender for the industry. Everybody is different, some people find criticism to be very embarrassing and it can cause a major knock to there confidence, where as others find it constructive and useful to guide them in the right direction.  Performing Arts colleges are well-known to be highly critical not only on talent but also on appearance. On stage you have the audience to impress and some people want flawlessness; you are constantly open to criticism as a performer. I do feel people who retaliate and get upset easily with criticism shouldn’t choose dance as a career as you are constantly being scrutinized and observed. Do dancers try to achieve the best simply because of the intense pressure?

I read an article which I found to be very relevant-

A ballerina who overcame anorexia doesn’t need or want an apology from the New York Times critic who made a crack about her weight in a review of “The Nutcracker,” saying the comment hurt initially but is just part of being a professional in a field that demands perfection from those who work in it.

“As a dancer, I do put myself out there to be criticized, and my body is part of my art form,” Jenifer Ringer, 37, told TODAY’s Ann Curry during an interview Monday. “At the same time, I am not overweight.”
“It is his opinion. He is a critic, and he’s paid to put his opinion in the paper. I know as a dancer that I am going to be criticized,” Ringer said.


“It is a field where our bodies are important. As dancers, we are taught to try to be perfect in every way.”

Putting my questions to the test

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*

 http://www.angelfire.com/oh2/chezsarah/bquotes.html

Developing Lines of Professional Inquiry

Throughout my career I have constantly been faced with challenges, each of which posed questions and dilemmas.  This is a fantastic opportunity for me to explore and confront the dramas, big and small, that have been niggling away at me for all these years.

I really enjoyed the last task on professional inquiry 2d as I gained fresh ideas and a new outlook as a performer, so the prospect of looking in more depth and raising my engagment further on this topic truly excites me.

To get my mind working I have brainstormed all obvious questions that have confronted me in my professional working life, and within minutes I was on my second piece of paper. The pace I was working at was very speedy and being able to identify lines of inquiry has clarified my vision. Seeking out new information has widened my knowledge base.

Below are the questions thrown up by my initial brainstorming session:

Wiki!!!

Below is my Wiki page which includes my Reflective Theory analysis

http://reflectivetheory.wikispaces.com/Reflective+Theory

My Sources of information

Word of mouth

Communicating with others has enabled me to feel attached and associated to the industry. Due to job's being out of the country I work "away" frequently and this always concerns me, as I  feel disconnected and a little lost when I return. However going for a few drinks with a friend of mine in the business keeps me connected to the "performing world". Going to auditions I feel is a great way to meet people for new contacts and you can be providing with information which can lead to many opportunities.

One of my past Jazz teachers always said that each contract you do you should try and "soak up as much information as possible and treat it like you are back at school".  This method has developed my understanding of the industry, actually my last contract I started writing down all that I learnt which increased my understanding and knowledge of professional working. I always find that each year I become more confident which encourages me to start up discussions. Self-belief then pushes me to have opinions that are beneficial and I find others will participate, so all information is flowing within a network. Yes sometimes you may be given incorrect information however I believe that any discussion or network will have its positives and benefits. We are all travelling along the same paths and at the dead end we are hoping there will be a job. Some people will be secretive for their own benefit, but I don't personally do this as I always believe if you are generous then people will be in reverse.

Internet

The Internet has influenced me to constantly view accommodating websites which has lead to successful employment. After reading blogs and talking to other’s I believe I can confidently say the Internet is a fabulous tool and we would be restricted without this resource. I don’t just use the Internet for research and exploration I use it to connect with work colleagues and even my agent.

I have made a list below of my main sites that have enthused me further into my career.

Facebook- Interacting with a close network of people. I develop my relationships and gain new ideas and knowledge.

YouTube- I gain inspiration by watching video’s.

E-mail- Having e-mail usage on my blackberry phone has been heaven it makes life so much effortless.

Blogging- I am new to blogging however without this brilliant source I feel I would of struggled with this course.

Dancers pro- A fantastic website for auditions and contacts. Very easy to use, popular with performers and you can normally trust the information.

Hayley states in one of her blogs “I think this day and age the Internet is such a big part of society and it got me thinking of other sources of information I may use or may use more of if the Internet didn’t exist or wasn’t as accessible as it was today” This question got me thinking, the Worldwide Web is a vast library of data and the fact is most of us would struggle and we would be limited if it wasn’t for this valuable source. I use the Internet for education and entertainment!

Agent

I have had an agent since leaving Performing Arts College. I am going to justify my negatives and positives in this analysis as I do have mixed views and thoughts. Having an agent makes me feel more professional and in a weird way qualified at what I do. I have had many auditions due to my agent having useful contacts and information.

I have a very comfortable and good relationship with my agent which I feel works best for me.When I was less experienced I was under the impression that "you work for the agent" and its easy to treat them like they are your boss,however I now understand that actually "they work for you". Sometimes I find it hard to say "no" as there are always auditions that I don't fit the criteria for, however I always feel I need to attend so he knows I am motivated and willing.

An agent should always have access to extra information that you can't get hold of. There professional network is bigger than ours and they are more associated to the industry. If I want Auditions,numbers for
casting directors, cheap theatre tickets my first point of call is always my agent. Also my agent watches all my shows and tells me his opinions which I feel is very helpful and (normally) encouraging.

Another major positive for me which Ross mentioned "This has now helped me greatly as now I often attend auditions that are private and have a lot less people at, as they are not open to everyone and mainly the people who are there have agents themselves." I do agree with Ross as I hate auditions that are like a cattle-market. Everybody can be seen properly and its a smoother process.

Events

I adore going to shows as this was what inspired me to perform in the first place! Cery's quoted that"I also enjoy watching dance performances as it re-energises me, gives me inspiration and new ideas that I can then take back and develop in my class or choreography" I absolutely feel the same. Sometimes I watch a show and I can't sleep for a week due to so many ideas running through my head. Watching a show inspires me to work harder and aim higher, basically gives me a boost.

Buying a show programme can inspire as you can see the paths of other performers which I feel can be stimulating. Also at events there is the possibility of networking. Influential and important people go to the theatre so watching a show gives me pleasure but also hopeful contacts.

Teachers and Choreographers

It is important to make a good impression on all teachers and choreographers as they can offer you work and help you in your career. I am always very genuine and if I have a connection on a personal level then the networking is more intense but I always keep it professional.

Amanda Black mentioned in a blog that "I would also say that you have to be careful when forming relationships to set out the guidelines, and have a mutual understanding of where you are both coming from" I do agree with this as sometimes work and pleasure does not mix however I have loads of friends who are choreographers and it has only progressed me further and brought success. I learn from teachers and choreographers all the time which is brilliant as they are normally experienced and have been in the business along time.

References

Dunning R (2010) Sources of Information,  http://rossdunning.blogspot.com/ Web Accessed 30/12/10

Cery's Dixie (2010) Sources of Information,  http://cerysdixie.blogspot.com/ Web Accessed 30/12/10

Hayley Bence (2010) Sources of information, http://hayleyjaynebence.blogspot.com/ Web Accessed (30/12/10)

Amanda Black (2010) Sources of information, http://00amandablack.blogspot.com/Web Accessed (30/12/10)