Turn Down Roles: A Performer’s Guide
Key Takeaways: Navigating Difficult Roles in Dance
This text explores the challenges dancers face when presented with roles that cause discomfort, and offers advice on how to navigate those situations.Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
1. Distinguishing discomfort:
* Moral/Ethical Opposition: A basic disagreement with the role’s content. This is a serious issue.
* Stretch/Drag: A role that’s simply challenging, uncomfortable, or outside your comfort zone.This is an prospect for growth.
2.Reframing Challenging Roles:
* Seek Opportunity: If it’s a “stretch or drag,” ask yourself what you can gain from the experience. Can it improve your technique, artistry, or personal growth?
* find Pride: Can you approach the role in a way that allows you to leave your mark and feel proud of your work?
3.Identifying Specific Concerns:
* “Drill Down”: Pinpoint exactly what’s bothering you. Is it a specific passage, interaction, or aspect of the character? Specificity allows for potential solutions.
4. Taking Time & seeking Advice:
* Sleep On It: Give yourself time to process your feelings. if the discomfort persists overnight, it warrants attention.
* Talk It Out: Reach out to trusted colleagues, mentors, or artistic directors for advice and support.
5. understanding the Risks of Speaking Up:
* the “Difficult” Label: there’s a fear of being perceived as problematic for raising concerns.
* Career Implications: Speaking up could potentially effect future casting or job security,especially for less established dancers.
* Company Culture: The level of risk depends heavily on the company’s culture, leadership, and employment structure.
6. The Shift Towards Open Interaction:
* Growing Confidence: Dancers are increasingly feeling empowered to voice their concerns, though this is a relatively recent growth.
* employee rights: While dancers are employees and have obligations, they should be able to discuss legitimate concerns.
In essence, the text advocates for a thoughtful approach to challenging roles.It encourages dancers to differentiate between genuine ethical concerns and discomfort that can be overcome with reframing and open communication, while acknowledging the real risks involved in speaking up.