Summer slow-down

Summer in Tel Aviv

The dance world functions kind of like our nation's school systems. Classes and seasons tend to start around Labor day. Seasons end and schools close around the beginning of June. For those that are looking for added enrichment or are a little behind, summer school is in order. In the ballet world, summer programs are great ways to get exposure and test out a company's school. Since these intensives bring in larger masses of students than the school year, most companies don't rehearse or perform during the summer months. And who wants to sit inside a dark, cool theatre when the sun is out and you could be away on vacation? For these reason, it can be very difficult to find dance work during the summer.

There is the occasional performance opportunity during the summer, but they are rare and usually comprise of companies going to festivals or international shows. For that reason, many freelance dancers look for other work during the summertime. This can be a positive thing, as it gives the body a rest and it gives dancers a chance to enrich other parts of themselves, dance related or not. So, what job should a freelancer search for when they are off for the summer, but still need to make a living?

The first job that comes to mind is one that will help build experience in a field that many dancers choose to enter once they retire. Teaching dance is a great outlet for dancers when they aren't dancing full-time. You get to give back to your students and you can even learn a lot about yourself as a dancer. The tricky part about teaching at summer intensives is that these programs often start hiring their roster of teachers back in January and February. So, you have to be willing to commit to not dancing before you may know if you have a possible dance job lined up. For instance, I was expecting to be dancing this summer, but my plans changed dramatically in April. So, when I started seeking summer work,  most summer programs had already booked their faculty. I sent out many emails, but am having to search in other places to make ends meet at the moment. But if you are able to obtain one of these summer teaching jobs, it may help keep you going for a month or two or maybe even help you take a vacation.

Another option for the earlier part of the summer is to apply to judge at national competitions or teach at their conventions. Most of these competitions continue through mid-July, so there won't be many options beyond that time frame. I have not judged for any competitions, but I do have friends that have sat on these panels. The days can be long and tedious and the talent can cover a wide range. But competitions pay well and the chance to spot young talent before it gets noticed on a larger scale can be a great reward. As for teaching, you need to have the ability to remain fluid and open to things. Most convention classes are not your typical 10-30 student classes. They are often held in hotel ballrooms with well over 100 students trying to learn a combination. As long as you keep an open mind and are comfortable teaching on a grand scale, this could be a very valuable option.

Many of my friends make ends meet by getting a part-time job in a non-dance related field. There are a few ways to make good money, like waiting tables or bartending. But I would suggest staying away from these options if you are planning on dancing and remaining physically active at the same time. Of course, you do what you have to do. But my suggestion is to find a job that doesn't require you to be on your feet for hours on end or that keeps you up into the early hours of the morning. Try to find something you are passionate about while still making enough to survive. A friend of mine was very passionate about baking and was able to get a job at a pastry shop. If you want to stay in the dance community, look into working at the local dance shop. Not only will you get paid, but you might be able to grow a relationship beyond your time working there and get discounts on your dance clothes and shoes in the future. Maybe even consider getting a job at your local gym. You can make money and, at the same time, save money that would typically be spent on your membership. In the end, try to be open-minded and don't talk yourself out of applying for a job that you are really interested in doing. My former colleague, Kari Brunson, took a summer lay-off to explore her passion and eventually became a full-time chef and started her own Juicing Business.

Photo by Brian Mengini

Now that you've taken time to consider money-making ventures, consider doing other things that you have been putting off while you were dancing full-time. I had been speaking with Brian Mengini, Philadelphia area dance photographer, for nearly a year trying to set up a photo shoot. Brian is having an event, Barre Boys Turns 2, where he will be displaying nearly 30 photos that he has taken of male ballet dancers from New York City Ballet, to San Francisco Ballet, to the Mariinsky. Last week, I was finally able to work out a shoot with Brian where we ended up with this fantastic shot for the event. I will also be speaking on a panel about being a male dancer at the event. I have also been able to use some of my free time to assist my partner with his new business. Spaces Transformed is a professional organizing business. Dan goes into people's homes and offices to assist with organizing and helps develop systems to maintain that organization. Although my partner has done a great job starting his company, he is not as proficient at social media and internet marketing as I am. So, to help out, I have taken over some of the social media and website marketing work. Not only am I helping out somebody that I love, but I am getting some great experience that I may be able to use when I have finished my dance career.

When temperatures get hotter outside and people are running to the beaches, freelance dancers have to raise the heat in areas beyond their performing careers. There are many possibilities for work, from career building opportunities to life enrichment beyond dance. Performance work slows down during the summertime, but that doesn't mean that you have to go broke. Be smart, put yourself out there, and take advantage of the break from performing.

Picking the Right Pic

Most blogs tend to focus on sharing thoughts and experiences through text. I was walking to the gym trying to decide what I would post about next and I thought to myself, "I'm feeling very visual today." So, with that, I offer you my first phlog blog (if that is even a term).

Final year of training audition shot '02 (photo:Roe O'Connor)

One of a dancer's best marketing tools is a visual history of their dancing. Photographs. Most dancers begin accumulating dance shots as a student. Any professional has done the first arabesque shot in pink tights and a leotard or black tights and a white t-shirt. Alright, so maybe I fudged it my final year, as I was auditioning for summer programs and companies. But I promise you I have about 3 other shots in first arabesque in black and white tights. Moving on. These photos are great to use as a student, but become less impressive to prospective employers as you progress in your career. If you have nothing else, studio shots are better than nothing.

As you gain experience in the dance world, employers want to see that you have stage experience. It is best to collect performances shots, if at all possible. If there is a professional photographer, try to get any photos of yourself through the organization that you are dancing for. If this doesn't work, dont be afraid to approach the photographer or search for their business online. Sometimes, the photographers will charge you for photos and at other times they will give them to you for free. I have heard of dancers that sometimes grab images off of facebook or a public gallery online and save them to their computer (you would have to figure out how to do this). If you do this, by all means, give credit to the photographer. Use your best discretion.

Performing w/Seiskaya Ballet (photo:Dmitri Papadakov)

Every dancer wants to make sure that their photos show their versatility as an artist. At the left, I have a classical shot of myself performing my variation from the pas de deux La Esmerelda while freelancing with Seiskaya Ballet. Even, if I am sending my information to a contemporary company, I will send them a photo like this. It is good to let an employer know that you have basic classical training and that you are have great versatility as an artist.

Performing w/Avi Scher & Dancers (Photo:Matthew Murphy)

Next, I will typically include a shot of myself dancing a contemporary role, like this one to the right. Currently, there is a greater range of possible work that can be listed in the contemporary range. A classical company may consider one piece to be much more contemporary than a contemporary or modern company. Do some research on the company that you have chosen to send your info to. If it looks more modern than contemporary I may send them a photo like the one below. If it looks more contemporary, then I may send them a photo like the one above on the right. All in all it can be to your benefit to develop a varied portfolio. If you are only interest in one style of dance, by all means, only seek out performance pics in the style in which you are seeking out work. But those that best survive the freelancing lifestyle are versatile artists. And showing that you have done work that is as varied as possible will give you a better chance of finding work.
 

Performing w/Dance Fusion (Photo:Bill Hebert)

Performing w/Ballet X (Photo:Alexander Izaliev)

One type of performance shot that I feel is important to have, especially as a male, is one executing some type of partnering skill. It is important, especially for a man, to show that they have the experience, strength, and technique to perform any role that is thrown their way. You can view a partnering photo that I might send to a prospective employer in my previous blog about Preparing for limited-rehearsal gigs or by viewing the photo that I have posted to the right.

Headshot (Photo:Shalem Mathew)

Now that we've talked performance photos, let's talk about the all-important headshot. Headshots aren't just used to give potential employers a peak into your personality. They are also usually important after you've been hired. It is very rare for a company to take headshots for you if you are dancing with them for one program. Most will ask you to provide your own headshot. If you have already danced with a company, you may be lucky enough to get headshots done for you (see my PNB headshot below). If not, you may have to pay out of pocket for these photos. Do some research in your area and try to find somebody that has experience with dancers and is reasonable (I'm a big fan of http://www.murphymade.com/ in NYC and http://bmengini.com/ in Philadelphia). If you cant afford photos, continue reading for my advice on that.

Headshot (Photo:Angela Sterling)

I have two headshots that I use depending on my perception of the company that I am sending my information to. If the company is only classical or if it is a school performance, I will be more likely to use the headshot to the left, as it is more conservative and has a more classic look. If I am seeking work with an employer that is more contemporary or if I want to show off my edge, I will typically use the above headshot. Obviously, it is not that big of a deal and it is more about preference. My suggestion would be to just go with what leaves you feeling confident. One headshot is all that is necessary and I would never send both to one employer. But it can be nice to have different options for looks in order to appeal to a wider audience.

My final advice for those that have read this far is for dancers that are starting up, looking for updated shots and low on cash, or that would like to expand their portfolio. I remember when I began dancing professionally, I figured that the company photographer would take great photos of me and that I would get them from her. Unfortunately, it was quite uncommon for anybody but the "favorites" of that company to be captured in time. Beyond that, I assumed, to a degree, that people would just throw themselves at all of us professionals in the hopes that they would get to photograph we the creatures of dance. This wasn't the case. I spent 7 years with only two photographers that approached me who were genuinely interested in photographing me (one that got a great shot, but required us to pose on a muddy mountain with horseflies biting us until we had to stop 10 minutes into the shoot: The one shot that worked). Unfortunately, the other photographer didn't have a penchant for catching dance at its' finest. So, how does one get headshots and dance shots for free? I have joined the network Model Mayhem. Essentially, this is a network to gain exposure in the modeling industry. But the modeling industry is vast and has many different genre's that photographers are interested in. The great thing about Model Mayhem is that all you need is 5 photos of anything you consider modeling to be approved and then you have an entire network open to you. I'm not sure if Model Mayhem is really a great option if you are looking for modeling opportunities, but there are many photographers listed that are interested in expanding their portfolio. Most are willing to do this for trade. Be sure to do your research and that you are in a safe, comfortable environment if you meet up with a photographer. It may take some work to get the photog on point, but work together to give them your best work and get some great photographs at the same time.