Leila Henry and I had a conversation on Facebook today that we felt could help other dancers in our professional field. Feel free to participate in the conversation below in the comment section:
LEILA HENRY: I have to keep reminding myself to follow my OWN path, because I keep letting my hands come off the wheel. At the same time, I'm going into this industry so blindly that it becomes difficult to trust that I'm on the right path. All I see is dirt and gravel for miles and miles as I inch forward, unsure of where I'm headed. I think its time I ask for some guidance.
JAMES KORONI: Set long term goals. Once you have that see what short term ones must happen to get you there. Then if you stray from the path, you won't feel concerned because in the back of your mind you know where you're at. Take the occasional detour. It's good to give yourself that flexibility. I hope this helps.
HENRY: Yes it does help! Thanks, James. Now that I think of it, I don't think I've ever made it clear to myself what it is specifically that I want. I know I want to choreograph, but I don't know exactly where I see myself in the next few years. I've been starting to work on little independent things here and there, and submitting choreo for different shows, but I don't know what the next step is, or who to ask about it. I'm just lost lol.
KORONI: I understand feeling lost but know it's not a permanent state. Try researching choreographers in the styles you enjoy expressing yourself through and be inspired by their stories. See what propelled them. It's easy to become overwhelmed by the over saturated dance industry as a whole. Then decide what you did or didn't like about them. That's the way this world works. One generation to another is either an evolution or a rebellion of the past.
Leila isn't the only dancer experiencing the results of an over saturated dance industry. Are you experiencing stress through your process? Tell us and well make it a community topic and discuss it publicly. Please leave a comment below.