Dealing with casting in dance can be a challenge…

We’ve all been there. The cast sheet goes up and you walk over feeling hopeful. Then, you read the list and are totally disappointed with your roles.

At just about every level, dancers experience the doubt and insecurity that comes with casting decisions by artistic staff. Dealing with this can be difficult.

As you move along as a dancer from pre-professional training to (sometimes) college to company life, casting sheets can be a big source of anxiety.

All too often, we begin to quantify our value based on what roles are bestowed upon us.

Managing casting, friendships, and comparison.

In college, my best friend Alice was consistently cast in better roles than me. Beyond being close friends, we were the same height with similar body shapes. It got to a point where I expected that outcome and reinforced the story in my head: “She’s just better than me, there’s really nothing I can do about it.”

When we started auditioning for companies, I began to realize that I was basing my thoughts about myself on the opinions of one group of people: my college professors. What I failed to notice is that the artistic staff at every company Alice and I auditioned for assessed our abilities in totally different ways.

When they made cuts throughout auditions, we were rarely kept for the same length of time. Sometimes she made it to the end, and sometimes I did. We each got different offers. I finally realized that while we were the same height with similar body types, we were different people and had different strengths.

Feel empowered even when you’re unhappy with your roles.

Even if you work to cultivate a healthy perspective shift when it comes to your strengths, you may still face casting disappointment. That’s when it’s important to take your power back and boost your confidence. 

Boost confidence before the cast list goes up.

Dancers tend to see what’s wrong. For many years, or even decades, you’ve been training your brain to use the mirror as a tool to tell you what you need to fix. Rarely does a dancer look in the mirror with joy and admiration for what they’re capable of.

That’s a great place to start…

The next time you’re in class or rehearsal, rather than constantly nitpicking, make it your goal to pick out the things you’re doing well. Where’s the beauty in your movement? What is unique about you?

Recently, a client was telling me that she just didn’t have anything that might draw someone’s eye. When we discussed it further, she was able to connect with the fact that she is a unique person and has a unique joy for dance that she can communicate through her movement. 

Connecting with your joy for dance is what gives you that intangible quality that is enjoyable to watch. 

Remember that every role, no matter how small, is an opportunity to grow.

It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Are you playing the maid in the Nutcracker? Even that small part can have a story. How will you convey that story to the audience? How can you make this character role your own? Is there a way to hone some acting skills?

Use this as an opportunity to start a discussion.

If you’re disappointed with the casting decisions, you can use this as an opportunity to start a discussion on your growth. Set up a meeting with someone on the artistic staff who you trust and know has your best interest at heart.

Ask them if there’s something more you could or should be doing to improve. Is there a way they’d like to see you develop technically or artistically that would lead to bigger roles or more responsibility? 

Having these talks can be scary, but they can also bring to light things you would have otherwise stayed in the dark about. It also might lead to more opportunities. Consider asking to understudy something you weren’t originally cast to understudy.

Reassess the energy you bring to the studio.

Are you too comfortable in your current environment? Are you relying too heavily on your talent or facility and not taking things to the next level on your own? Would you benefit from setting more goals around your dancing?

Remember that you can’t control the roles and opportunities you’re given, but you can control the energy you bring with you. Casting may be out of your hands, but the work you put in is very much up to you. Start approaching your corrections with more fervor and focus, and see if things shift.

Create supportive routines to facilitate your best dancing.

Making adjustments to your approach to food or cross-training could have a huge positive impact. These adjustments are not about changing how you look, but rather, they’re about increasing your confidence so you dance more freely.

Some food swaps and cross-training switch-ups can make a big impact on how you perform. Have you started relying on too much sugar or caffeine for energy? Instead, put some attention on increasing the length and quality of your sleep. Incorporate lots of simple and complex carbs for consistent energy throughout the day.

If you’ve been doing the same cross-training for years, you might benefit from trying something new. Experiment with weight training or employ a trainer who works with dancers to see if there’s a weakness you haven’t addressed.

Taking better care of yourself will give you a better experience in your dancing regardless of casting. 

You might not be dancing at the best company for you.

If you’ve been plugging away at the same company for a few years and haven’t been getting the response you had hoped for or the roles you were promised, it might be time to move on. I’d encourage you to open up a conversation first, but then be willing to accept that maybe you haven’t found the right fit yet.

Be honest with yourself about the company environment you’re in. If they reward weight loss or constantly give you feedback on your body shape or size, it might be time to look elsewhere. Even if you are getting desired roles, it’s worth considering what sort of environment you’re in and how that impacts you. Roles should be determined based on your skill and hard work. 

Unhealthy extremes to fit the mold of a particular company is not a sustainable approach to a dance career. If you’re struggling to find a healthy approach to your career, or you’re unsure if you’ve found it, it may be time to seek help. Many dancers benefit from support in nutrition, body image, and even career mentorship to confidently determine when they’re at their healthiest. 

Check in with your mental well-being.

Has dance left you feeling drained? Have you been in the trainee or apprentice spot for a while and started wondering if you’ll ever move beyond it? Check your mental well-being.

If you’re constantly telling yourself you’re not good enough or that all the other dancers are so much better, it will feel nearly impossible to progress. Once your thoughts start to improve, I guarantee you’ll feel changes within yourself and your dancing. 

As I was able to connect with the fact that my friend Alice and I had different things to offer, it afforded me some freedom in my approach. I started my first company job believing I was meant to be there. 

Ultimately, you need to retrain your mind for confidence and expect success! Those shifts in mindset aren’t an overnight endeavor or a quick fix. It takes time, dedication, and support from someone who understands the industry specific challenges you’re faced with. 

Don’t forget, it all takes time.

Pursuing dance at the professional level is a process — and an arduous one at that. Every dancer develops at a different rate. Your friend might skyrocket to principal while you’re working away in the corps. It’s helpful to trust the timing of your life.

Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. You’ll learn so many lessons along the way as long as you’re open to them. If your love for dance is strong and you stay committed, you can reach your goals. And don’t forget: success is a concept you get to define. So, maybe define success as doing what you love. Perhaps you’ve already achieved that.

Looking for support?

If you’re feeling particularly challenged by your experiences with the cast sheet, and you know you’d benefit from support from someone who has been there, schedule a complimentary coaching consultation. CLICK HERE to book your free introductory consultation. This is the first step and the best way to determine if health, nutrition, and lifestyle coaching is a good fit for your needs.

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From the time you start taking dance seriously, the focus is honed in on technique. Your teachers help you to work out all the little technical details . The best teachers create an environment for healthy dedication and improvement.

However, a lot of dancers are criticized for not applying corrections quickly enough. The assumption might be that they’re lazy or not dedicated. Perhaps they lack focus or attention in class.  This post will delve into how to deal with criticism in dance.

The reality is, if a correction is not applied quickly, it may not be understood or prioritized, by the student, teacher, or both. For some dancers, anxiety gets in the way of mental focus in class. Still, other dancers are so hyper-focused on trying to pick up combinations that applying corrections becomes too much to handle.

As a dancer, you can be empowered by knowing that you are the keeper of your destiny. By taking care of your body, being open to feedback or corrections, and working hard every day you can get where you want to go. You can reach your goals.

It might take some additional focus on applying those things that you hear in class or staying present to remember the intricacies of each combination. If you want to really get ahead, consistently create additional personal benchmarks to make your improvements measurable.

This is where goal setting and accountability come in.

Most of us have been in a situation where it felt like a teacher just really didn’t like you for some reason. Those can be some of the most challenging, disheartening experiences.

Here’s a personal story, major criticism in dance…

When I was 15, I went away for my second summer program. I was put into the highest level, but worried it was a mistake. I don’t think I was ready for that at all, and apparently, neither did the former New York City Ballet *star* my level worked with most closely.

This former NYCB principal dancer (we’ll call her Ms. M) was one of the people I was most excited to work with. I never had any Balanchine training so I was looking forward to experiencing her perspective and learning some incredibly beautiful Balanchine choreography.

It became clear on day 1 that Ms. M was not impressed by me. She would often single me out and give lots and lots of corrections in a very mean, degrading way. I was not totally alone in this. Ms. M was harsh in general and called out a number of ladies in my class with lots of yelling.

Then, there were her favorites. The ones who could do no wrong. Were they working harder than me? Applying corrections more quickly? Simply better?

I cried to my mother on the phone every day that I had class with her (which was almost every day of that summer program).

Ms. M threatened to demote me to a lower level. I secretly wished she would, just so I wouldn’t have to take her classes anymore. In the beginning, I was determined to win her over. Tis’ the plight of the determined dancer I guess. I tried to work harder. Then, I tried to disappear. 

Honestly, that experience informed a lot of my future confidence and actions as a dancer.

When I think back on that experience the pain is still quite palpable, even though it was so long ago. When I revisit some of my dancing experiences after that summer, I see myself hiding. Doubting. Worrying.

This is where the importance of taking on responsibility for your own success comes in. You’ve got to assess yourself and work towards your goals, regardless of these sometimes negative, studio experiences. If you’re not sure how to deal with criticism in dance, you’re not alone.

Don’t let your dancing be defined or defeated by one person’s opinion. Here’s how…

Luckily, I’ve had lots of different teachers over the years and many supporters. I’m glad I only dealt with such a defeating experience for four weeks. If you’re dealing with a challenging experience on a more consistent basis, you may need to take bigger action. 

It might be in your best interest to seek new training or teachers in your area. If you plan to pursue dance professionally, this is going to make a huge difference in your levels of confidence and therefore chances for success.

In a temporarily challenging time, bring your attention back to positive training experiences. Who were the teachers who supported you? How did they make you feel? What did they say that helped you see your own potential? 

During my very challenging summer intensive experience, I wrote down the choreography to every variation we learned. There’s value to writing down choreography but what I wish I had done, was set some personal goals for myself. I would have been empowered to focus on the work instead of the fear.

Clear goals can provide an outlet to turn your attention inward. They can counteract feelings of failure and help you stay aware of your big picture, big goals, and ultimate dreams. Goals allow you to be in the driver’s seat. 

Are you a goal-setter? Do you have a vision for your goals? 

Check out these posts and videos for more: 

• The Power of a Clear Vision.
• Tools of Transformation.
• Reaching Body Goals

How to Deal with Criticism in Dance was originally published in October 2015

Edited for content and clarity July 2021 

Photos of Casey by Luis Pons

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Each day we go to the studio and stare at our reflection. Yes, the mirror is a tool blah blah blah, I know. In reality, we use it as a tool to see what’s wrong.

Then, we get corrections, which are constructive (or meant to be anyway) and take those on. Sometimes, once you’re in a company, you’re mostly left on your own. You’re expected to know what needs work and make it happen.

When faced with that challenge of personal evaluation, you might thrive. Or, you might start to wonder, “why aren’t they telling me anything?”. Then your mind starts to go crazy with the super negative, hyper – critical self talk.

This way of thinking can destroy your psyche and have a hugely negative impact on your dancing.

So how do you get around this struggle? Set goals. Refer to them daily.

Pick the categories that are most important to you and add a couple that you think will be good for your overall well – being. Examples include: technique, career, body – image, physical activity (outside of dance), relationships, inspiration.

Now, start to set SMART goals for your 3 – month, 6 – month, 1 – year, 3 – year vision. SMART is an acronym for goals that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound.

Don’t let yourself be stifled by the idea that your goals should be “attainable” and “realistic”. As dancers we can be so aware of the flaws that we’re not always open to our full potential or possibility. Definitely dare to dream and be as objective as possible.

When it comes to career, you may want to ask a trusted teacher who you feel supported by, what they imagine is possible for you. However, they don’t have a crystal ball so do not take their opinion for fact.

Teachers and Artistic Staff have a somewhat narrow lens of what they’ve seen to work. Their opinions might be based in old standards and they might not consider your potential for growth.

I remember when I was in college one of my professor’s saying he had never seen a dancer make major strides after age 25 – MAX! This totally took hold of my brain and I felt like the clock was ticking. O gosh, I only had a few years left to progress as a dancer.

Luckily, this is soo not true and in fact you can continue to grow and make major improvements to your dancing as you learn more about your body and the way of working and cross – training that works for you.

Ready to make your goals a reality? Here’s how:

Break your goals down into bite size action steps and work towards them each day. Keep a journal to chart your progress and to help you get any limiting beliefs out of your head. You may not achieve them all, but taking serious action WILL get you closer to your goals.

I honestly believe that if you have received good training and you work as hard as your body and mind allow each day, anything is possible for your career. It may require auditioning for companies you didn’t previously consider or moving to a city or state you never imagined living in.

Tenacity, drive and hard work can take you a long way but you’ve got to support yourself mentally.

In The Whole Dancer Program I’ve had the beautiful opportunity to connect with each participant one on one. There have been a number of resonant messages, among those is the fact that most dancers are “people pleasers”.

We want teachers, guest choreographers, and artistic directors to like us. That’s all find and good. There’s a place for that desire and to an extent, yes, someone has to like you for you to keep your job.

BUT

I hope that one of your goals is to dance for YOU. You will shine much brighter and gain more supporters and ‘fans’ when your love for this art radiates out of your face and body each day.

XO, Jess

Photo: Lauren King, Soloist, New York City Ballet

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It can help you to process and heal your emotions, increase your self – confidence by reliving positive experiences, and it can even strengthen your self – discipline (not that dancers tend to be lacking much in that area).

One of our biggest fears as dancers is that we won’t “make it” professionally. Are you going to get a job offer? And if you do, will you be able to stay injury free and maintain that job?

Journaling can help you to work through those fears and feel confident that you’ll find a way to move forward no matter what happens.

First thing in the morning, this is my little morning routing, I get a huge glass of water and grab my journal. Find a peaceful place to sit – for me this changes from day to day and write my “Be, Do and Have” list.

Even though there’s a phone in this picture, I’d encourage you to start the day without your phone!! That way you can just focus in on yourself and your goals without any outside influences.

The “Be, Do, Have” list is a good way to reconnect to your goals in a positive way each and every day.

1. Be : what do you want to be or what kind of person do you want to be? i.e. kind, successful, a corps dancer with Miami City Ballet, etc.
2. Do : what do you want to do? i.e. to perform my best in the studio and on stage, to dance the role of Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, to go on a hike every day.
3. Have : what do you hope to have in your life? i.e. A comfortable living space with beautiful furnishings, lots of healthy food to eat, friends you can depend on.

My favorite part about this list is that it can be different every day. Whatever you’re going through in life or dance can change what you’d like to “Be, Do and Have”. So it might just reveal something surprising!

When you look at your list you can think about how those things influence each other. Do they connect together? Or is something not aligned? Sometimes the things we “want” don’t align with who we want to “be”. And that’s OK! Seeing it on paper is going to help you connect to your truth.

Ok, your turn! What would you like to “Be, Do, and Have”?

The post “Be, Do, Have” – Get clarity for success! appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

You have a lot of power in your life. Admittedly, it doesn’t always feel that way.

This weeks challenge presents a small way to assert that power. It’s all about you. This simple switch can create big shifts in how you see yourself.

You can change your mindset and alter your self – talk.

When I was dancing professionally, my artistic director notoriously hated red leotards. So most of us avoided them. You know what was sad? Red leotards were my favorite to wear!

If I could go back I would rock that leo proudly and use it as a way to assert my personal power and confidence.

If you’ve seen The Whole Dancer on Instagram, you know I pay tribute to this most weeks with #redleotardwednesday!

What change will you make today? Don’t forget to commit to the challenge by leaving a comment below!

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You spend so much time in the studio and the work you do there is invaluable. It’s super important to continue to work on yourself outside as well.

Good news…The Whole Dancer Foundations Course is here!!!

With this course you get access to the audio component of each of the 4 webinar’s presented so far with special guests Shelby Elsbree of Boston Ballet and Casey Dalton formerly of Colorado Ballet and founder of Deco Dancewear.

This course cover’s Eating for Energy, Fearless Auditioning, Goal Setting and Self – Care for Nutcracker Season (or any busy performing season).

If you considered The Whole Dancer Program in the past but couldn’t afford the investment, the foundations course is a great way to start working on yourself at your own pace for a super affordable price.

Even if you registered for one or all of these webinars, I know how busy you can be dancing, performing, cross – training, etc. so I wanted to come up with a way to make this information available instantly and on the go!

By setting goals, eating well, taking better care of yourself and auditioning fearlessly you can lay the foundation to achieve massive success inside the studio by inspiring balance and empowerment.

Click the button below for the full details and to invest in your success today.

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For today, I want to get into the importance of sleep.

In the news over the last week there has been a lot of talk of the Center for Disease Control’s “new” finding (although I feel I’ve heard this hundreds of times so why they’re choosing to make it “new” news is beyond me) that most ppl are getting less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep.

As a dancer and athlete, the importance of sleep is even greater!

If you’re performing on less than 7 hours a night I hope I can persuade you to start prioritizing sleep and creating a beautiful nighttime routine.

The winding down process really can be quite enjoyable and the benefits are infinite.

Sometimes when you’re working or dancing all day it’s tempting to want to use evenings for perusing the internet, watching movies, etc.

There is absolutely a place for those things.

However, I would suggest you pick a bedtime that you can keep pretty consistently and create a night – time routine around it.

Here’s a big reason dancers need to prioritize sleep:

“Researchers speculate that deep sleep helps improve athletic performance because this is the time when growth hormone is released.

Growth hormone stimulates muscle growth and repair, bone building and fat burning, and helps athletes recover.

Studies show that sleep deprivation slows the release of growth hormone.

Sleep is also necessary for learning a new skill, so this phase of sleep may be critical for some athletes.”

So create a nighttime routine that serves a healthy nights sleep.

• Always create a comfortable environment with a cooler temperature and comfortable sleep clothes.
• Be sure your mattress is a firmness level that supports you best.
• Shut off the electronics about an hour before going to bed and DO NOT bring your phone into bed with you – I understand the temptation…my phone now lives in the living room at night on “silent” mode.
• Take a warm pre – bedtime bath with epsom salts and lavender essential oil.
• Massage the bottoms of your feet with essential oils of lavender or vetiver (or both).
• Keep a gratitude journal where you record the things you’re grateful for each night.
• Calm your body down with stretching and meditation.
• Read a book or listen to soothing music, or do both together!

I’d love to hear about how much sleep you get each night and how you set yourself up for bedtime success! Post in the comments below and share!!

Bonus tip: I got a sunrise alarm clock for my birthday. It has transformed the way I wake up from the jolting beep, beep, BEEP to a peaceful light bath coupled with nature sounds.

Since how you wake up is a big part of your sleep experience, I had to mention this game – changing clock.

References:

2007. Mah. Extra Sleep Improves Athletes’ Performance. Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. June 14, 2007.

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She took part in the first round of The Whole Dancer Program in September of 2015 and when I got to speak with her one – on – one during the program, I was taken by her humility and pure loveliness.

Lauren dances full time with Boston Ballet and takes college courses, so there is clearly a lot on her plate. I wondered if she would be able to add The Whole Dancer Program to that mix AND get results.

So when I received an email from her on Saturday in response to “The trouble with casting”, I was thrilled. She wrote:

“The topic of this email and worksheet really hit home with me and is the perfect thing to help me start 2016 in a positive mindset!!

I am looking forward to completing the worksheet to help calm the anxieties that have arisen in my subconscious mind during my layoff after Nutcracker.

I find myself worrying about not getting cast in any good roles when we return from break, when in reality I shouldn’t be so worried!

2015 was an important year for me, because I feel I was able to find confidence in myself and my dancing not only when things were going well, but also when I wasn’t cast in a good role or I wasn’t getting any attention from the artistic staff…

I think this change in my thinking and confidence was improved in part by my participation in The Whole Dancer Program. I didn’t fully realize it until now, so I wanted to make sure I reached out to you to thank you!”

I asked Lauren if I could share her message with you all because I know how deeply dancers internalize the disappointment and self – criticism that often arises when that casting sheet goes up or a rejection email arrives or you just have a really bad day.

Lauren was excited to share her message and said, “I hope it helps someone decide to sign up for the program!” 

Finding the confidence in yourself and your dancing each and every day takes some work. The Whole Dancer Program is designed to help you prioritize that work.

If you’re inspired by Lauren’s message, don’t delay, it’s time to sign up!

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Depending on where you are geographically and personally you may or may not be in a forced state of relaxation which can actually be very stressful! So why do dancers get stressed by breaks?

Well, for me, I had teachers saying, “however long you take off, it will take you at least twice as long to get back to where you were before the break.” I think lots of dancers have heard a similar variation of that warning.

It certainly instills a belief that taking no time off is the best option. 

I want you to give yourself a break.

It doesn’t have to be a totally lazy time with absolutely no movement (although I don’t think that is always the worst idea either) but allow yourself the space to explore other things.

Consider the following list and commit try one new practice. This way you get some r + r AND enhance your life at the same time!

1. Go to a yoga class. The movement is different and that variety is beneficial. I felt a new and different strength as a dancer after incorporating yoga into my life!
2. Swim. It’s great cardio and a super gentle way to keep moving your body after the intensity of performing so much.
3. Have a trainer assess your physical weaknesses and create a cross – training plan around those discoveries. A trainer who is not familiar with dance may need some help as to what sorts of things you need strength for. As a non – dancer they may provide totally new insight – stay open.
4. Try out new, healthy recipes.
5. Go back to the basics. Sometimes when we’re taking advanced classes we don’t have the opportunity to work on the small details. Work on your own on the things you know could use some attention.
6. Meditate – the headspace app provides a beautiful 10 – day challenge if you’re new to meditation.
7. Find inspiration: go to the theater or a museum and experience some other arts.
8. Read a book. If you typically stick to fiction try non – fiction and vice versa.
9. Start a blog. Need inspiration? Check out Kirsten Evans blog Setting the Barre! Yesterday she wrote a beautiful post about The Whole Dancer Program!
10. Do some planning! This is the perfect time to create a plan to take serious action in 2016. Are you into resolutions? A resolution is defined as:

the act of resolving or determining upon an action, course of action, method, procedure, etc.

Resolutions are great BUT don’t forget the step where you actually map out your course of action!

Post a comment below and let me know what new practice you’re going to try or what your go – to lay off activities are! 

And, since we’re on the subject of action, don’t forget to sign up for The Whole Dancer January 16′ no – cost workshop on Fearless Auditioning! This workshop is now available as an audio training in The Whole Dancer Foundations Course!

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