Dancers are the ultimate autodidacts. During the process of training we spend most of our given 24 hour cycle engulfed inside a studio and mirrors. For many of us, there wasn't much of a life outside of that dominating dance dome of discipline during this time of student-ry.
How does a dancer educate him or herself about culture, current events and the world when there is barely enough time to achieve high levels of grandiosity inside the studio? Of course, there is that thing called high school, but I think a lot of us were nodding off during ou history lectures. This is a bi-product of getting 4 hours of sleep due to late dance rehearsals and a lot of homework. Many humans, through the act of socializing, become steeped in the world and its culture, but in my observation classically trained dancers have a tendency to not possess that coveted "gift of gab" due to years spent with a closed mouth and open eyes in the classroom. Eyes that were scolded if, at any given moment, they weren't locked, on the ballet mistress with interest and passion! - A passion that would, in turn, unlock the "mystery" of how to become a great prima ballerina (interpret this how you like). I can't help but diverge a little bit here and think of the times I was in ballet class and the three boys in the class would purposely fart in order to be allowed to go to the bathroom. Otherwise, they weren't permitted to leave ballet class at all. This lack of "bathroom permission" was supposed to teach them respect for the teacher, but all that it did was give us obedient girls in the class a not-so-fragrant whiff of boys being boys. They would do this right before adagio...go figure...they must have had beans for lunch every day before ballet class. Now that is what I call sacrificing for your art...or should I say "fart".
Anyways, the answer to this conundrum of "how does a dancer become a versatile person while locked in a studio for many years?" is: when an amateur dancer makes the transition to a professional dancer, he/she also makes the transition into a worldly and educated citizen. As a professional, you tend to work on the road. You do not ever visit a city as a tourist, but instead, as a temporary resident. Whether on a tour bus, on a ship or on a plane, one realizes that the best way to pass time is by enlightening the mind. Whether through new ideas via discussion with company or cast members or through reading novels and non-fiction publications while trying to pass the seemingly limitless time on a plane, train or automobile. When you become part of a second family (your company), a dancer can break out of that shy bubble and truly blossom into a social person and learn the gift of gab. Most importantly, when a dancer is shipped off to Japan, the Caribbean or even Schenectady, you literally get dropped off in an alien place where you have no choice but to adapt. This constant metamorphosis makes you capable of absorbing many new rays of "thought photons" when you return to your place of origin. Once the bird learns to fly, the growth is exponential.
Upon release into the world of auditioning and performing, the discipline that is tattooed on the soul during the time done in training (the dominating dance dome of discipline) is a key ingredient in the "cultured and personable dancer" recipe. When you find yourself thrust into a professional show for the first time (especially if it is a musical theatre show), there is a strong chance that the dancer will have a moment of clarity that says, "Did I miss out on life?". This can be a sad realization for some, but just as the dancer begins to get emotional, that ol' dependable, domineering friend called discipline comes to the rescue with a big D on its chest! You discover there is so much more to life, and, so, you join the club of the Dance Autodidacts. You educate herself on everything and anything you can get your hands on.
Now, there is time to absorb other aspects of life-joy! It is very invigorating to look at life anew. This breakthrough can either be blissful or depressing. Know that there is a large, unofficial club out there that you will be joining if you see the bliss in this personal revolution-thus creating enlightenment for the person and not close mindedness.
I was inspired to write about the autodidact who lives in every dancer because I just found out that I will be going to Kansas City Starlight Theatre for about three weeks this summer to perform The Music Man! I am not only excited to have a job, but also inspired by this imminent affair I will have with Kansas City and one of its fountainheads of culture. Speaking of fountains, did you know that Kansas City has more fountains than any other city in the world besides Rome? My agent was telling me that it has a very European feel, and considering that I have never been to Europe, I think that I might just pretend that I am in Europe. (I won't start speaking French, don't worry. I think this might get me kicked out!) As I read about the city, I had an epiphany about how lucky I am to get the opportunity to have another experience to live like a resident of yet another area of the world. This allows me to continue filling in a real life painting in my head that depicts the world as I have experienced it. I don't have to rely on another person's opinion or a publication to form my opinion about an area of the world. I have a piece of that city locked in my cranium-unless I lose my mind!
Stay tuned because after attending a "VIP blogger night" for Cedar Lake Ensemble on Monday evening, I will share my thoughts with my cyber-friends who live here in the dance-blogosphere. I am going to have a chance to speak with and take photos of the choreographers and dancers and get a sneak peak of their new season of works.
Stay strong and autodidactic!
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