|
Another very familiar question is what I can expect within my first year with a professional ballet company. There are many things to look at that apply to both ladies and gentlemen.
The size of the company
Type of repertoire
Number of rehearsal weeks
Number of performances
Guest performances
Competition winners
One should realize, although as a dancer you are very eager to go on stage, there is often a period of just rehearsing and waiting for a slot to become available. In a smaller company, they generally audition dancers for people that are leaving so there is often much more opportunity to perform sooner. However, in the larger companies one often gets very frustrated in standing around, learning ballets and looking on the cast list to find that you are an understudy in the fourth cast. It is amazing how dancers all gravitate to the call board to check the casting hoping to find their name there, in red pen. One has to realize that it is often the question of being the right size and can you fit the costume, rather than your talent. You have to be prepared to wait your turn. Keep your spirits up, make sure you take class every day and work very hard.
|
 |
The repertoire often dictates the availability of a space for first timers, especially in a more contemporary company. Dancers as you know are often plagued with injuries and although it is sad to see someone who is out, it often will present an opportunity for you. In my experience, I find this much more with the ladies than with the gentlemen. In a larger company, there is more opportunity to be on stage but it might be just standing in the background than actually dancing. But, there again, I find that this could be one of the best opportunities to see how the experienced professionals really do it.
continued...
|
