Everyone knows that NYC dancers have to be on the top of their game...this is no place for mediocre, sub-par, performers. Generally speaking, everyone who ends up making the "big move," has put in hours and hours of sweat, practice, and tears(or they have the intention of doing so at a NYC studio). But when it comes to dancing professionally, I cannot stress how important it is to network among the dance community. At first, it may seem a little strange and hop skip jump outside your comfort zone, but I always encourage people to introduce themselves to the the people to the right and left of you at the barre. If you are going across the floor and see someone with amazing turns, ask their name, tell them yours, and let them know that you appreciate watching their technique. When you go to auditions and you are number 37, you should know the names of 36 and 38 before you walk back to the subway. Don't worry about coming off as creepy or "stalker-ish," in fact, its just the opposite. Look at it this way, you and the unknown, intimidating, "competition" actually have A LOT in common. You both have given a large percentage of you life to this thing called DANCE, which you both love passionately. You both know what its like to walk into an audition and feel judged and inferior. And oddly enough, once you get over your case of "weird-itus," you'll probably discover you have mutual friends you didn't even realize. Business people give and get lectures all the time on the power of networking, the notion that success comes from building connections with other people in your field. And yet, so many dancers in the city have this isolated, me-against-you mentality, which...OK, I'm just going to come out and say it...IS DAMN STUPID. But until you start taking pro-active steps like the ones I've outlined above, you are cheating yourself from seeing the results first hand. WOW, I never thought I would actually quote High School Musical for ANYTHING, but look people, "We're all in this together." As cheesy as it sounds, it makes no sense to foster the cut-throat atmosphere, especially when NYC casting is laser point specific. So get out there, let people know that you are new to the city, and offer to help them reach their dreams...in the process, you might just end up with some unexpected surprises and adventures of your own!!
"no man is an island...(even though Manhattan is an island)"
1 comment:
I totally agree! One of the most bizarro things I noticed about NYC is how small and interconnected the dance community was (and probably most communities like that). For example, when I decided to usher at Joyce Theater, the person who booked me to usher also took class with me every thursday at NDG.
Another thing is that you should never assume you know anything about anyone. The person who is taking way too long to order their drink in front of you at Starbucks might very well be the instructor of your next dance class.
I love the blogs! Keep them coming!
-Alex
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